St Kilda in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia — Oceania
Great Scenic Railway
The Legacy of Coney Island, N.Y.
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026
1. Great Scenic Railway Marker
The Legacy of Coney Island, N.Y.
The first Luna Park was built at Coney Island New York in 1903. Melbourne's Luna Park was designed and built in 1912 by T.H. Eslick and 20 builders from Coney Island for North American entrepreneurs J.D. Williams and the Phillips Brothers. The Great Scenic Railway was the principal feature Of Luna Park when it first opened.
Herman Leon and Harold Phillips ran Luna Park for many years and also built the Palais Theatre opposite. Williams returned to Hollywood in 1913 and established a major film studio. Sydney's Luna Park was opened in 1935.
The Moorish entrance towers and Mr Moon were built as part of the Great Scenic Railway and from 1912 it was a unique example of roller-coaster and amusement park design. it is now the only rollercoaster operating from this period, and has the only example of brakeman operated carriages in the world. These were built in the U.S.
Erected 1999.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 37° 52.041′ S,
this page online
Regionally, it is in Oceania, in Australasia, in the Pacific Ocean, in South Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Councillor Edward O'Donnell (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Lieut. J.M. Bennett (about 120 meters away); Captain Albert Jacka (about 210 meters away); Catani Archway (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Mars (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Jupiter (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Earth (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Venus (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St Kilda.
Also see . . . The Great Scenic Railway. Wikipedia
The Great Scenic Railway(Submitted on November 5, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)is a heritage-listed wooden roller coaster located at Luna Park Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia. As of 2026, it is the oldest operating roller coaster in the world. The ride is one of only five roller coasters remaining that requires a brakeman to stand on the train.Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 20262. Great Scenic Railway and Mr Moon at the Entrance to Luna Park
The ride opened on 13 December 1912 with the opening of Luna Park Melbourne, and has remained continuously in use since, making it the oldest continuously operating roller coaster. The ride was originally built with 65,674 metres (215,466 ft) of Canadian Oregon pine, and is regarded as an ACE Classic Coaster.
The Great Scenic Railway, Luna Park Sydney’s Wild Mouse and Sea World's Leviathan are the only three operating wooden roller coasters in Australia.
Characteristics
The Great Scenic Railway is a 967 metres (3,173 ft) long coaster which has a height of 16 metres (52 ft) and a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph). A brakeman is required in order to brake the roller coaster.
The roller coaster has three trains with two cars. Each car can sit up to 10 riders, although only 8 are used in the rear carriage. Each train weighs about 2 tonnes (2.2 short tons).
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
