The Original Partners

Australia’s Wonderland was built by a partnership of four investors, with a fifth company running the park. The capital injection was $65 million, held as NSW State Superannuation Board 33.75%, James Hardie Industries 23.75%, Taft Broadcasting 23.75% and Leighton Holdings 18.75%. The descriptions below are how the 1985 souvenir book presented each partner.

NSW State Superannuation Board

One of the original financial partners, the board managed a fund covering about 150,000 members from government and related employment, and the book called it one of the state’s major financial institutions, with investments in commercial and industrial property and regional shopping centres. a Sydney Morning Herald report of 19 September 1986 put the board’s investment in the park at $24 million, making it the largest investor.

Taft Broadcasting Company

The managing partner. Taft was an integrated communications and entertainment company involved in television, radio, programming, production, distribution and cable television. It owned Hanna-Barbera, had interests in themed amusement parks and was a part owner of the Kings Entertainment Company. Taft’s interest in Wonderland was sold to Australian investors in 1992.

Kings Entertainment Company

Kings managed Australia’s Wonderland on Taft’s behalf. An experienced operator of large themed parks in North America, including Canada’s Wonderland and Kings Island in Ohio, it was described in the book as the world’s second largest operator of themed amusement parks at the time. Many of Wonderland’s rides and much of its theming came from the Kings parks.

James Hardie Industries Limited

Described in the book as a major Australian industrial company, with interests in building products, paper, packaging, automotive products, trade, irrigation, publishing and leisure.

Leighton Holdings Limited

A building construction, civil engineering and property development company with experience in recreational developments in Australia, Asia and the South Pacific.

Management and support

Keith James was Managing Director of Australia’s Wonderland during its development and early operation. The project had the support of the NSW State Government and Blacktown Council, which cited the jobs and tourism it would bring to the west. The story of how the park came about is on The History of Australia’s Wonderland.