Heroes of the Light Horse Closing Soon to make way for a New Show

On Wednesday 23 November Australian Outback Spectacular ‘Heroes of the Light Horse’ will close its doors for the final time to make way for an exciting new show launching in December 2011.

Australian Outback Spectacular first opened in 2006 and has entertained over a million people from all over the world, with its celebration of Australian stock men and women at work and play.

After a hugely successful runoff the original show, Australian Outback Spectacular launched it second show ‘Heroes of the Light Horse’ in September 2009 and has not looked back.

Australian Outback Spectacular Production Manager Shane Phillips said that Heroes of the Light Horse has been an amazing show which celebrated the link between our stockmen and the legendary Australian Light Horse.

“The crowds have loved this show and the entire cast and crew will be sad to see it go, but the new show will be an exciting new chapter for Australian Outback Spectacular.”

“The third chapter in the Australian Outback Spectacular story will be titled ‘Spirit of the Horse’ will celebrate the courageous spirit of the Australian horse and honour the legend that is Phar Lap,” he said.

Presenting partner, R.M.Williams is proud to continue their support for Australian Outback Spectacular ‘Spirit of the Horse’.

Don’t miss your last chance to see Australian Outback Spectacular ‘Heroes of the Light Horse’ before it closes forever. Tickets are selling fast so call 133 386 or visit: myfun.com.au to secure your tickets.

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Australian Outback Spectacular Opens a New Chapter

Since opening its doors in April 2006, Australian Outback Spectacular has entertained over a million people from all over the world, with its celebration of Australian stock men and women at work and play. The audience learns of their history, marvels at demonstrations of their riding skills, laughs at the gags and enjoys the songs and poems that are not only theirs but ours.

The new show 'Heroes of the Light Horse' will retain all the fun, charm and skill of the original but with an important difference, this time we celebrate the link between our stockmen and the legendary Australian Light Horse.

The new show has been directed by one of Australia's most celebrated film and television directors, Simon Wincer, who is best known for movies, 'The Man from Snowy River', 'The Lighthorsemen', 'Phar Lap' and 'Free Willy'. In Heroes of the Light Horse, Wincer adds a new element to the show by blending extracts from his movie with the live light horse action in the foreground, further enhancing the show and introducing high definition movie vision to all scenes.

Aided by clips from the film, 'The Lighthorsemen', the audience follows Australian troops on the long, dry march to the outskirts of Beersheba in Palestine. Following the march, the audience witnesses the famous charge against entrenched artillery, machine guns and infantry, to take and secure the precious wells of Beersheba.

Back in present day, the Spectacular ends on a lighter note celebrating stockmen's skills, but always aware of the debt all Australians owe to those heroes of the Light Horse.

Warner Village Theme Parks’ principal strategy for Australian Outback Spectacular is to grow tourism to the Gold Coast, which produces positive results for its Gold Coast theme parks and the region generally. Australian Outback Spectacular was created to provide international and domestic visitors a typical Australian experience to learn about Australia and its rich culture and heritage.

Australian Outback Spectacular was originally conceptualized over nine years ago by Chairman of Warner Village Theme Parks and Executive Producer of Australian Outback Spectacular - Mr. John Menzies, who identified the opportunity to promote Australian culture to domestic and international visitors.

"I get a lot of feedback about the show, and the one thing that always stands out is how patriotic and proud the show makes our Australian guests feel about their homeland," Mr. Menzies said.

"It's been an inspiring success, and to keep interest high, we decided to introduce a new chapter in the show, which further enhances our cultural outback heritage by telling the story of one of Australia's least known, but most important historic events - the charge at Beersheba by 800 Australian Light Horsemen during the First World War in 1917," Mr. Menzies explained.

"The Light Horse was made up predominantly by "boys from the bush"; young men from the outback who volunteered along with their horses to join the Australian Mounted Infantry know as the Light Horse."

"The famous charge at Beersheba is regarded as one of the most successful and courageous cavalry charge in history and is a living testament to the continued bravery and determination of our outback sons", he said.

The show however, whilst demonstrating this important event in our history, still contains all the modern day fun and competitive spirit of the outback and its people which has struck such a chord, particularly with Australians.

Presenting partner, R.M.Williams Company is proud to continue their support for Australian Outback Spectacular.

R.M.Williams Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hamish Turner, said the show continues to present Australia’s Outback heritage in an authentic format which is exciting for all audiences.

"Our company founder, Australian legend Reginald Murray ("R.M.") Williams was a passionate and proud Australian. We know R.M. would have shared our view that Australian Outback Spectacular is important because it communicates the culture of the outback to a whole new generation of Australians and visitors," Mr. Turner said.

Experience a deeper journey to the heart and soul of the Australian Outback with the new Australian Outback Spectacular 2. 'Australian Outback Spectacular's Heroes of the Light Horse' is an unforgettable evening and a holiday highlight which cannot be missed.

FACTS
Attraction
Australian Outback Spectacular, presented by R.M.Wiliams, is a permanent attraction

Show location
20 minutes from Surfers Paradise, between Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Water World on the Pacific Motorway, Oxenford, Gold Coast, Qld

Show duration
1.5 hours including 3 course Aussie BBQ dinner

Show time
Nightly from Tuesday – Sunday (subject to change, excludes Christmas)

Doors open at 6:15pm. Pre-show commences at 7:00pm.

Matinee show time
Additional 12.30pm matinee shows serving a BBQ lunch will be added to the show schedule from time to time

Entry Ticket
Includes show, dinner, drinks during dinner and stockman's hat
$99.95 Adult, $69.95 Child (3-13 years), $89.95 Pensioner

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Warner Village Theme Parks $65 Million Expansion

Group commits to massive expansion to drive Gold Coast tourism

Warner Village Theme Parks on Australia’s Gold Coast have announced an unprecedented $65 million expansion plan in recognition of the need to continue to grow visitor numbers to the holiday region through innovative and contemporary new attractions and entertainment experiences.

As a major driving force behind building tourism business for the Gold Coast region, Australia’s largest and most celebrated theme park group, employing some 2,500 staff plans to diversify and enhance their current product offerings by introducing even more unique and groundbreaking attractions to lure holidaymakers.

In addition to two dynamic new attractions at Warner Bros. Movie World and a multi-million dollar expansion program for Wet’n’Wild Water World, will be the 2006 launch of ‘Australian Outback Spectacular’, a unique and exciting dinner show attraction which will be the first of its kind in Australia.

This huge capital injection will extend Warner Village Theme Parks’ already well established reach into major consumer markets both domestically and internationally, and further support the Group’s commitment to building the Gold Coast’s tourism profile and nurturing the growth of the tourism industry throughout the region by extending business and employment opportunities within the local community.

The exciting expansion underway includes:

Warner Bros. Movie World
Traditionally home to the biggest and best movie themed attractions, Warner Bros. Movie World will bring out the big guns of the world’s most popular brands with the September 2005 launch of DreamWorks ‘Shrek 4D Adventure’ and the December 2005 launch of ‘Superman Escape’.

Opening September 17, ‘Shrek 4D Adventure’ is a cutting edge multi-sensory attraction – a totally new movie with spectacular visuals and multiple special effects yet to be seen, heard and felt in a ‘4D’ attraction in Australia.

‘Shrek 4D Adventure’ will bridge the narrative between DreamWorks’ Oscar - winning movie ‘Shrek’ - “the greatest fairy-tale never told” and the sequel from DreamWorks Pictures, ‘Shrek 2’ and once again feature the comic talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow who give voice to the swamp-dwelling ogre, Shrek, his faithful chatterbox companion, Donkey; his bride, Princess Fiona; and the vengeful ghost of Lord Farquaad.

Guests visiting Warner Bros. Movie World will also have the chance to meet the big, green and loveable ogre Shrek and his new bride Princess Fiona, who will join the star-studded cast of characters appearing in the Park daily.

In December, Warner Bros. Movie World will launch its most awesome new ride experience to date – ‘Superman Escape’. This exhilarating ride experience will be the first of its kind in the world, with an exciting pre-show adventure themed around the world’s most popular super hero. ‘Superman Escape’ has been specifically chosen as a catalyst to build the family and teen market visitation to the Park.

Wet’n’Wild Water World
Wet’n’Wild Water World’s $20M expansion includes a massive new children’s attraction - the all-new Buccaneer Bay, opening September 17, as well as the Boxing Day launch of an incredible new thrill slide precinct offering adrenaline junkies the ultimate extreme aquatic experiences.

‘Extreme H2O Zone’ will be located behind Calypso Beach and showcase seven oversized thrill slides like nothing ever seen before in Australia including the Mach V attraction which will house the Park’s two longest rides that will have guests sliding through 160 metres of twists and turns in open air flumes as well as three adrenaline pumping high speed body slides. Extreme H2O Zone will also feature Blackhole - two enclosed slides that will catapult riders into pitch black spirals of darkness.

By the busy Christmas holidays, the Park will literally have increased in size by one-third and offer the biggest and best selection of water based rides and slides anywhere in the world, whilst simultaneously increasing the capacity by 50%, reducing queue times of the Park in line with its ever growing popularity.

But the excitement won’t stop there. Next year will see the launch of yet another thrill slide - Tornado, adding a further dramatic dimension to Wet’n’Wild’s total entertainment offering and cementing the Park’s position as the country’s leading water park, and one of the best of its kind in the world.

Sea World
Sea World will take its popular Ski Show through a total revamp this September, transporting the dynamic presentation back in time to the ‘Golden Era’ of Surfers Paradise in the 1960s. ‘Waterski WipeOut’ is full of catchy tunes, colourful costumes and sets, slapstick humour and a very cool cast of characters, all themed in true 1960s style.

Australian Outback Spectacular
Australian Outback Spectacular is an enthralling new show extravaganza which will provide domestic and international visitors with a unique and exciting night time experience, simultaneously fulfilling the current desire for additional night time attractions on the Gold Coast for all age groups, and enriching the destination’s overall appeal as one of the world’s leading holiday destinations.

Australian Outback Spectacular will be the first of its kind in Australia. A unique and exciting show capturing the grandeur of the Australian Outback with spectacular visual effects and raw energy all its own, the attraction will open April 2006 and be situated between Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild Water World, and be officially presented by R.M. Williams.

Australian Outback Spectacular will have a capacity of 1,000 seats and include a full Aussie BBQ dinner served during the heat of the show.

The new ‘Waterski WipeOut’ and ‘Australian Outback Spectacular’ were written and choreographed by Ignatious Jones, the creative genius behind the Sydney 2000 Olympics opening ceremony.

Chief Executive Officer of Warner Village Theme Parks, Mr John Menzies comments that the expansion plan will confirm the Group’s position as the leaders in premiere theme park entertainment in Australia.

“The scope of this expansion program is unprecedented in the history of the Warner Village Theme Park Group, and the history of theme park entertainment in this country. We are expanding our horizons considerably in an effort to provide the ultimate entertainment experiences for people of all ages, which are comparable to anything found anywhere else in the world.

“We also believe our efforts will contribute greatly to the overall appeal of the Gold Coast as the country’s leading holiday destination – now visitors from all over Australia and the world will have even more reason to come here and experience all this wonderful destination has to offer. Warner Village Theme Parks are committed to the tourism industry, and this can be qualified by our plans to introduce contemporary new entertainment experiences which will provide huge enjoyment for people of all ages visiting the region.”

Each expansion phase will be supported by mammoth marketing programs Australia wide, and in major international markets including New Zealand, South East Asia, Japan, India and the UAE.

$23M Australiana Show Extravaganza Commenced Construction Early 2005

Australian tradition, culture and music is captured in The Australian Outback Spectacular

Warner Village Theme Parks’ $23 million Australian show extravaganza – The Australian Outback Spectacular commenced construction in early 2005.

To be constructed on land near Warner Bros. Movie World, this $23 million major evening attraction will be set in an enclosed arena and will feature a two hour extravaganza incorporating up to forty horses, stuntmen and other favourite Australian animals, as well as a typical Aussie BBQ dinner.

The Australian Outback Spectacular – the first of its kind in Australia - will highlight Australian tradition, culture and music while combining stunning and extravagant lighting, sound and special effects.

Already officially recognised by the Gold Coast City Council Tourism Branch as Australia’s premier theme park and entertainment precincts, welcoming more than three million visitations a year, Warner Village Theme Parks is committed to sustaining and expanding the Coomera/Oxenford region.

An advantage to this site is the clear visibility of the new attraction from the Pacific Motorway combined with easy access and well-established transport links from Surfers Paradise and Brisbane.

Extensive research by Warner Village Theme Parks highlighted the fact that international visitors are in search of a typical Australian experience to learn about Australia and its rich heritage and culture.

Research also highlighted the need for additional quality evening entertainment that could provide domestic, interstate and international visitors with a unique and exciting night time experience.

Chief Executive Officer of Warner Village Theme Parks, Mr. John Menzies said that The Australian Outback Spectacular provides world class entertainment and high appeal not only to local domestic and interstate visitors but also to international visitors.

“Our research and discussions with international wholesalers has confirmed that an Australian outback experience would not only draw local domestic and interstate visitors due to the patriotic spectacle of such an unusual show but it would be a major drawcard for international visitors,” Mr. Menzies said.

In addition the research identified the need to provide audiences, particularly key international markets, with much more entertaining insight into the Outback than just a story about The Man from Snowy River.

“Audiences wanted to experience a performance that went beyond that story. They craved a much more exciting and exhilarating experience that provided a unique and spectacular insight into the history and culture of Australia, combined with state of the art music, sound and lighting,” Mr. Menzies said.

The show itself will be a combination of exciting horsemanship displayed by experienced stockmen, coupled to exotic and colourful outback scenarios.

Audience involvement is a prerequisite during a competition staged by riders from outback homesteads or stations who will be supported by pre-selected sections of the audience who will scream encouragement from their team as they ride for supremacy.

It is expected that tickets for The Australian Outback Spectacular, which will include a typical Aussie BBQ dinner will sell for approximately $60.00 per person, with concessions for children and pensioners.

Warner Village Theme Parks expects that the Australian Outback Spectacular will be open in early 2006.

$20M show extravaganza announced for Warner Bros. Movie World!

Australian tradition, culture and music is captured in The Australian Outback Spectacular

Warner Village Theme Parks announced that the owners, Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow, have approved a $20 million Australian show extravaganza – The Australian Outback Spectacular – to be completed in 2005.

To be constructed on land near Warner Bros. Movie World, this $20 million major evening attraction will be set in an enclosed arena and will feature a two hour extravaganza incorporating up to forty horses, stuntmen and other favourite Australian animals, as well as a typical Aussie BBQ dinner.

The Australian Outback Spectacular – the first of its kind in Australia - will highlight Australian tradition, culture and music while combining stunning and extravagant lighting, sound and special effects.

As a pre-curser to The Australian Outback Spectacular, Warner Village Theme Parks plans to utilise an adjacent area for koala and kangaroo displays, as well as sheep shearing and sheep dog demonstrations, ensuring that this attraction is the largest and most spectacular outback presentation in Australia.

Originally conceptualised over seven years ago, The Australian Outback Spectacular was to be constructed adjacent to Sea World, but was delayed due to native title claims on that area.

The land near Warner Bros. Movie World has been selected due to economies of scale in utilising already established infrastructure and the ability to keep and maintain horses and other animals on this large area.

Already officially recognised by the Gold Coast City Council Tourism Branch as Australia’s premiere theme park and entertainment precincts, welcoming more than three million visitations a year, Warner Village Theme Parks is committed to sustaining and expanding the Coomera/Oxenford region.

An advantage to this site is the clear visibility of the new attraction from the Pacific Motorway combined with easy access and well established transport links from Surfers Paradise and Brisbane.

The Warner Village Theme Parks massive marketing and sales engine that already drives families to the Gold Coast for a sun, surf and theme park holiday will swing into action.

“Due to our well-established infrastructure and marketing and sales network, as well as our close relationships with the AOL Time Warner and Village Roadshow families, Warner Village Theme Parks have the resources and ability to effectively market The Australian Outback Spectacular to the domestic, interstate and international market,” Mr. Menzies said.

“This ensures The Australian Outback Spectacular will be playing to capacity crowds,” he said.

It is envisaged that the majority of tickets to each performance will be sold through the extensive trade network of Warner Village Theme Parks both in Australia and overseas prior to visitors arriving on the Gold Coast.

Warner Village Theme Parks already has forged solid relationships and partnerships with over 150 trade operators and tourism organisations both nationally and internationally, leaving them in good stead to take The Australian Outback Spectacular to Australia and the world.

The ability and capability of Warner Village Theme Parks to develop and implement sales packages has already been demonstrated by the success of the 3 Park Super Pass Package, which has exceeded all expectations.

Coupled with their well developed and close working relationships with local tourism operators, hotels, accomodation houses and transport organisations, there is no doubt that Warner Village Theme Parks will expose this unique and exciting spectacular to Australia and the World.

Extensive research by the Australian Tourism Commission, Tourism Queensland and the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau highlighted the fact that international visitors are in search of a typical Australian experience to learn about Australia and its rich heritage and culture.

Research also highlighted the need for additional quality evening entertainment that could provide domestic, interstate and international visitors with a unique and exciting night time experience.

Chief Executive Officer of Warner Village Theme Parks, Mr. John Menzies said that The Australian Outback Spectacular provides world class entertainment and high appeal not only to local domestic and interstate visitors but also to international visitors.

“Our research and discussions with international wholesalers has confirmed that an Australian outback experience would not only draw local domestic and interstate visitors due to the patriotic spectacle of such an unusual show but it would be a major drawcard for international visitors,” Mr. Menzies said.

In addition the research identified the need to provide audiences, particularly key international markets, with much more entertainment than just a story about The Man from Snowy River.

“Audiences wanted to experience a performance that went beyond that story. They craved a much more exciting and exhilarating experience that provided a unique and spectacular insight into the history and culture of Australia, combined with music, sound and lighting,” Mr. Menzies said.

The show itself will be a combination of exciting horsemanship displayed by experienced stockmen, which will be sensitive to outback traditions and culture.

A competition will also be staged by riders from outback homesteads or stations who will be supported by pre-selected sections of the audience who will scream encouragement from their team as they ride for supremacy.

It is expected that tickets for The Australian Outback Spectacular, which will include a typical Aussie BBQ dinner will sell for approximately $60.00 a ticket, with concessions for children and pensioners.

Warner Village Theme Parks expects that the Australian Outback Spectacular will be open in 2005.