Atlantis Marine Park. Or was it Atlantis Sun City? In any case, this was Perth 80's theme-parkery at its finest. Constructed in 1981, at Yanchep (just past the other side of Walcott Street) it has been abandoned for the last 19 years. Sadly, in 1990, the entire troupe of dolphin trainers disappeared without a trace, leading to the financial collapse of the theme park. King Neptune still keeps an eye towards the unique town centre of Two Rocks. Around the grounds you will see tunnels, bridges, exotic fauna, weathered statues, and locals taking the dogs for a walk. Big dogs.
However, just north of Atlantis (Guilderton) - is this another Iwan Iwanoff house? The proportions and lines are right for a late 50's early 60's piece. Their are obvious signs of renovation, such as the windows. But, there is something quite special about the elevation. Sitting literally on the edge of the ocean, looking great on a stormy afternoon.Confirmation on this one would be good... UPDATE - Yes, this is The White House, an Iwanoff from 1967.
The thing you notice, wandering around Atlantis, is the amount of tropical plants you don't normally see on any other Perth beaches. Combined with two decades of overgrowth, this may just be the best looking beach-side landscape in Perth.
The locals have a great local park, I'm jealous. Although, for the mall rats I saw hanging outside the shopping centre, a jerry-can and box of fire starters would probably hold more interest than strolling though this idyllic reserve.
As with Bell Biv DeVoe, Bette Midler, and UB40 - 1990 was the last year that people, the world over, would pay money to enjoy - Atlantis Sun City Marine Park.
16 comments:
It is an Iwanoff. I'll have a look and see if there is anything more I can tell you about it.
Hey rawkingi - great info! Any further info, pass it this way...
woops - I meant rawLingi (haha)
Now that was a trip down memory lane. We had lots of fun there as kids. Thanks for the post.
oh man, i had to go take some photos of king neptune for work one day. people kept bursting out of bushes walking dogs, frightening the crap out of me.
Lol707, J, thanks for the comments. I went to Atlantis as a kid as well...and J, yeah, it still seems a popular place to take the dog for a walk!
Yes, built for Mr & Mrs L. White in 1968.
Thanks rawlingi, so we can refer to it as "The White House"!
I saw that house, the paint is peeling off.
Im fascinated by the old eerie site where Atlantis Marine Park once stood. For some reason i have a strong fascinating interest in old historical sites, buildings etc, but as for Atlantis it blows me away how once it was a popular aquatic playground and was never a dull moment as thousands of visitors flocked there every year, and now a deserted over grown dry bush land, hard to imagine it was such a manicured land of paths, grass,plants and huge pools in which dolphins flew into the air and entertained people. I have visited the site but will return and take a closer look even a walk through the once famous park...... Shane Hipper, Joondalup
I've been up there a couple of times recently. Just like to take a trip down memory lane. The last time I was there was maybe around 1988-89. Atlantis was a awesome place to go when I was a kid. Those dolphins did some crazy jumps, no kidding, some maybe even 2 or 3 storeys high and plunge straight back down into the water. Now to look at it, there are very few remanents of what was a really fun place. I look upon it now and imagine all the laughter and cheers that it bought when the park was open, now, forever trapped in time.
Yeah that is an Iwanoff in Guilderton. I used to stay there as a kid. The original owner a Dr from UWA was killed driving up there to visit the block before the house was built. His wife and daughter had the house built for him.
Cheers from Marsala House
Being from out of town id really love to know where some of these places actually are so that i can take some snaps myself.
I've just started a flickr group if you'd like to share your beautiful Atlantis photos...
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1623622@N20/
cheers,
Amanda
I used to go there as a kid too. How many theme parks did Perth have back in the 80's that it doesn't have now? Atlantis, The Castle, Pioneer World, Dizzy Lamb Park ("my dad was gonna be stuck behind the laaaaaaaaaaawwwwwnmower...")
Truly a city that has gone backwards :(
the tunnel people smoke weed in, bongs all over the ground
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