Big crowds take a ride on The Carousel

December 1, 2024 BY James Taylor

Parka, six, and Sophie, four, enjoy a ride at popular City of Greater Geelong tourist attraction The Carousel. Photo: PATRICK CALLOW

A POPULAR tourist attraction on the Geelong Waterfront has recorded its highest attendance numbers in more than 15 years.

According to new data for the 2023-24 financial year released by the City of Greater Geelong, The Carousel had 41,000 rides between July 1 last year and June 30 this year.

This is the first time attendance numbers have exceeded 40,000 since 2005-06.

The figures exclude rides from children’s birthday parties and private functions, making the actual number of rides on the waterfront attraction even higher.

City of Greater Geelong chief executive officer Ali Wastie said there were multiple factors behind the increase.

“Our region truly offers something for everyone, and families in particular have so many options to choose from when visiting.

“The Spirit of Tasmania’s move to Geelong has been fantastic, and has undoubtedly contributed to the increase in tourism we have experienced.

“We have maintained the same ride ticket prices at The Carousel for the past five years, making it an affordable, happy and memorable experience for children and their friends and families.

“Our wonderful locals and regular riders just won’t let their parents or grandparents drive past without stopping for a ride on the horses.

“We also know that holiday makers are choosing regional destinations post-COVID and Melbourne residents in particular are visiting Geelong on weekends to escape the hustle and bustle of the big smoke.”

The Armitage-Herschell portable steam driven, hand-carved wooden carousel was constructed in about 1892 and is one of only 200 in operation around the world.

Featuring 36 Dare horses and 2 chariots, it was purchased by the Steampacket Place Development Board in 1996 and painstakingly restored before it was opened in 2000.

Coming highlights at The Carousel include: