Bondi Aquarium
1887-1906 - later becoming Wonderland City 1907-1911
61 (02) 9327 2022

peterjk1@dingoblue.net.au
Bondi Aquarium 1877-1906 | Bondi Aquarium Photos
8228 People are always amazed to find out that Waverley hosted an amusement park of the calibre of Bondi Aquarium (later as Wonderland City) at Tamarama Beach back in the late 19th century.
  
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Boys and Girls,
Children of all ages,

Welcome to one of Waverley's SCHEDULE 5 - HERITAGE ITEMS!

One of its historic ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES going back to the 19th century.

Let me take you on a brief tour of this fascinating area!

The Aquarium - Royal Aquarium and Pleasure Grounds was an amusement park located in the lovely valley of Fletcher's Glen at Tamarama Beach.

Popularly known as the BONDI AQUARIUM, it opened on 1st October 1887,
with a Grand Military Band,
Merry-go-rounds,
swings,
shooting gallery,
water boats,
Camera Obscura,
Punch and Judy, and
Dancing in the Grand Hall.


Marine life swimming in the aquarium tanks included catfish, bream, whiting, mullet, lobsters, stingrays, porcupine-fish, turtles, a wobbegong shark and a tiger shark.

Perhaps the most interesting and amusing of the inhabitants were the seals, who shared the pond with a solitary penquin.
Most Popular Attraction
 The most popular attraction was the Switchback Railway, an exciting, diving, plunging roller coaster ride above the sands of Tamarama Beach.

Skating Rinks and other entertainments

Two roller skating rinks were "illuminated by the electric light";

Pain's Grand Fireworks exploded every Wednesday;

Sacred and Classical Concerts each Sunday.

Feats of skill and daring were a special feature and included dangerous mounted sword contests;

Alexander, the Australian Blondin, walking a wire from cliff to cliff;

Captain George Drevar floating on a 'cask raft' through the pounding surf;

and a Grand Balloon Ascent and Parachute Descent.

As well, an enjoyable part of the entertainment were headliners from the Tivoli Theatre who performed on the Aquarium Circuit.

On the evening of 11th July 1891, fire destroyed the aquarium and pavilion, but it rose from the ashes in September the same year, and continued to entertain Sydney's populace.

Published by Waverley Library from sources in the Local History Collection for Heritage Week 1983 and revised for Heritage Week 1997.
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