1887 - 1906

The Bondi Aquarium – officially named the Royal Aquarium and Pleasure Ground – was Sydney’s first coastal amusement park. From 1887 to 1906, beachgoers were entertained at the 14-acre site on the north Tamarama headland and hinterland valley known as Fletcher's Glen.

The fun park, built by the Bondi Aquarium Ltd consortium, was officially opened on 28 August 1887 by the NSW premier, Sir Henry Parkes.

The Aquarium’s Wonders of the Deep attraction featured several tanks of aquatic life including a wobbegong shark, tiger shark, stingrays, turtles, lobsters, catfish and porcupine fish. One of the most popular attractions was the seal tank. They shared their pond with a solitary penguin.

Elsewhere, feats of skill and daring included Alexander the Acrobat walking from cliff to cliff on a high wire; Captain George Drevar floating on a 'cask raft' through pounding surf; and patrons braving the Grand Balloon Ascent and Parachute Descent.

Other popular attractions were the Switchback Railway and, in later years, a rollercoaster. The railway carried passengers 930 feet (280 metres) from cliff-to-cliff in 10 seconds. The ‘exciting, diving, plunging’ rollercoaster ride was high above the beach. Two roller-skating rinks were 'illuminated by the electric light'. Pain's Grand Fireworks exploded every Wednesday.

Entertainment was free at Aquarium Beach on weekends and public holidays, including brass bands, variety acts and orchestras. More demure 'Sacred and Classical Concerts' were held on Sundays. Crowds of up to 2000 visited on weekends on the Bondi tram.

The park was destroyed by fire in July 1891, but was rebuilt within months. Its popularity began fading with competition from other attractions along the coast, including the Centennial Coogee Palace Aquarium and swimming baths.

The last concert at the Aquarium was a fund-raiser for the Waverley Benevolent Society in July 1906. That year, the site was sold by Mrs Margaret Lachaume to theatre promoter and entrepreneur William Anderson, who transformed it into Wonderland City.

Courtesy Waverley Library Local Studies Collection.