Alright, as you're approaching Hi-Lite Park, keep an eye out for the area near Eastern Beach, at the corner of Bellarine Street and Ritchie Boulevard. You'll be heading towards the waterfront. Picture a lively shoreline where the Eastern Beach tram terminus used to be. Look for the bustling activity and vibrant atmosphere that once marked this famous spot.
Hi-Lite Park was Geelong's very own amusement paradise, opening its gates in 1956 and delighting visitors until around 1985. This spot, comparable to Melbourne’s Luna Park, was where countless smiles and laughs were created. People from far and wide came to enjoy its many attractions.
But it’s not all in the past. In December 2006, a giant Ferris wheel, the largest non-permanent wheel in the southern hemisphere, was set up right here! It was renovated locally by Phoenix Fabrication & Welding, making it an even more thrilling ride with its 36 enlarged gondolas seating six people each. Reaching a peak height of 50 meters, each spin around the wheel gave riders a 10-12 minute adventure with stunning views of the area.
The Ferris wheel installation was a nostalgic nod to the original park, run by the Verfurth family. The family’s first-generation showman, Emile Francis Verfurth, relished bringing joy to the masses, moving Hi-Lite Amusements to various sites around Victoria.
So, as you stand here, imagine the laughter, the excitement, and the fun-filled memories that were made in this very spot. It was a place where dreams spun high in the sky, just like that Ferris wheel!
