On December 13th 1912, Mr Moon opened his giant mouth to St Kilda and welcomed thousands of people into Melbourne’s Luna Park for the first time.
Since that day, St Kilda’s famous Luna Park, the oldest theme park in Australia, has had millions of visitors who have enjoyed some of the most iconic rides in Melbourne. Year after year our guests bring their families back to share memories and a day of fun at the most memorable amusement park in Melbourne.
With over 100 years of memories at our iconic St Kilda location, Luna Park is undoubtedly the most well known and loved of the theme parks Victoria has to offer. More than just some of the most exciting rides in Melbourne, Luna Park has seen many changes over a 100-year history, with highs, lows and of course many new rides installed throughout the decades.
Take a step back in time and view over 100 years of history, rides and laughs within Luna Park Melbourne, including incredible footage of the Park opening in St Kilda back in 1912.
A history of escaping to St Kilda
Long before Europeans appreciated the beauty and bounty that Euroe Yroke (St Kilda) had to offer, the Yalukit-Willam people of the Kulin Nation lived in the area for many thousands of years. While much of the evidence of these Indigenous lives has now been lost to time, an ancient Corroboree Red Gum tree where gatherings were held can still be seen in the midst of busy St Kilda Junction.
The first recorded mention of St Kilda by European settlers was by Charles Grimes, a colonial-surveyor, as he sailed into Melbourne from Sydney in 1802. However, it wasn’t until late in the 1830s that grazers began to settle in what was then known as Green Knoll. The area became known as ‘St Kilda’ when Charles La Trobe suggested renaming Green Knoll after a yacht anchored off the foreshore whilst visiting the area in 1842.
By the 1850s Melburnians could take advantage of regular transport to and from the rapidly developing settlement in St Kilda. With some of Melbourne’s wealthier families choosing to build stately homes in St Kilda during the 1860s, it quickly became Melbourne’s seaside holiday destination of choice with as many as 15 hotels dotted along the St Kilda foreshore.
For the next 30 years the development of the St Kilda area ebbed and flowed as the Victorian economy matured post the Gold Rush. While some of St Kilda’s wealthier families lost their fortunes what did not change was its popularity as a seaside holiday destination for Melbourne’s masses.
By the dawn of the 20th Century it was clear that St Kilda had cemented its place as the premier beachside location in Melbourne seeing the opening of Melbourne’s now iconic amusement park, Luna Park, in 1912.
Luna Park Melbourne’s Award-Winning Carousel
Luna Park Melbourne’s 1913 Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel (PTC#30) has been officially recognised by the National Carousels Association USA with the prestigious Historical Carousel Award. As one of the most beautifully restored carousels in the world, this treasured attraction continues to enchant visitors, young and old.
Originally built in 1913 for Sydney’s White City Amusement Park, the PTC#30 carousel found its forever home at Luna Park Melbourne in 1923. With 68 meticulously hand-carved and painted horses, all original to the carousel, and a rare Limonaire Frères band organ, this historic ride embodies the elegance of the Golden Age of Carousels.
After nearly a century of wear, Luna Park undertook a major restoration between 1999 and 2001, investing close to $3 million to bring the carousel back to life. Led by artist and carousel historian Patricia Mullins, the project uncovered retained, then reconstructed original findings, intricate gold leaf detailing, and traditional techniques used by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company over a century ago.
Today, the PTC#30 carousel remains a symbol of Luna Park’s dedication to heritage preservation. The ride’s rich history, unique design, and vibrant restoration make it a must-see attraction for visitors and carousel enthusiasts alike.
Come and experience a piece of living history at Luna Park Melbourne – where the past meets the present in a swirl of colour, music, and timeless joy.
Luna Park Since 1912
