Darling Harbour Carousel — Attraction in Sydney

The Darling Harbour Carousel is a heritage-listed carousel located at the concourse under the Western Distributor at Darling Harbour in the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as The Carousel. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 28 June 2002.

The Darling Harbour Carousel was purchased and imported to Australia in 1894 by Thomas Kale. It was purchased second-hand and required extensive refurbishment, including the replacement of the planks between the horses with a continuous platform. At that time the horses had no rise and fall motion. Around 1910 Kale employed Herbert Thompson, an Australian engineer, to design and install a system to enable the horses to "gallop". Kale operated the carousel in 1912 outside the Customs House at Circular Quay as part of the official celebrations for the arrival of the American Naval "White" Fleet. In the 1920s Kale sold the Carousel to his son, David Kale.[1]

Under David Cale's ownership the Carousel travelled around NSW and was a regular fixture at most major agricultural shows, fairs and special events. Many of the painted scenes which decorated the Carousel were redone during this era by a local artist, Paddy Murray. The Carousel appeared in the Sydney Royal Easter Show from the 1920s to 1939, and operated in various other locations and events. From 1941, the Carousel was lodged at Manly Amusement Pier, the wartime conditions restricting its operations. The Carousel recommenced operation after the end of World War II at Manly Pier.[1]

In 1951 David Kale sold the Carousel to Porter and Smit, the operators of the Manly Amusement Pier. An electric motor drive system was fitted to the Carousel in 1951. In 1957 the Carousel was purchased by David Kale's grandson, Allen. Allen Kale had assisted his grandfather with its operation in Sydney prior to World War II. The Carousel recommenced operations in 1957. The condition of the carousel had deteriorated in the period between World War II and 1951. Alan Kale refurbished various aspects of the carousel. The carousel remained fixed at Manly until the 1970s.[1]

In 1986 the Carousel was purchased by the Darling Harbour Authority to be a permanent fixture in the Darling Harbour Authority area. It was stored for two years, then put into operation in 1988, until 1990, when Allen Kale was engaged to manage and oversee its restoration which continued until 1993. A special pavilion was built over the carousel in 1993 to protect it when not in operation (designed by architect Feiko Bouman). Allen Kale's son Bruce, a sign writer, was involved in the restoration of the paintings and paintwork of the carousel.[1]

The Carousel has been in operation in Darling Harbour, during weekends and school holidays...

Disappointing Experience at Darling Harbour Carousel - Not Child-Friendly

I have a 5-year-old daughter, and my friend’s child is 3. I always assumed that Australian amusement parks prioritise the safety of young children. Normally, when we visit other parks, the cost of a carousel ride includes the option for an adult to accompany the child without extra charge.

However, today at the Darling Harbour carousel, what should have been a fun experience turned into a shock. I paid for my daughter and my friend's child to ride, assuming that the ticket would cover the cost of an adult accompanying the children, as it usually does. But we were stopped by the staff, who told us we hadn’t paid for the adult supervision. I was confused because there were no clear price signs, and the staff simply asked for payment without explaining anything. The man not even told us that only children under 2 years old could ride for free with an accompanying parent, and for everyone else, the adult must pay. He just kept asking us to pay the adult fee without any respects.

What’s worse, I later noticed a small A4-sized notice far away from the queue, with tiny print detailing this policy. It felt misleading and deceptive, especially for parents who may not see or understand the small print. This is not only frustrating but raises concerns about whether this complies with child protection laws.

I hope relevant authorities can look into this issue, as it feels like the park is not acting in the best interests of families and young children. It’s important for amusement parks to be transparent and child-friendly, especially when it comes to...

This was so much fun, more fun than I thought it would be….

The Carousel was purchased second hand in 1894 then imported to Australia needing a fair bit of work.

In 1910, an Aussie engineer was engaged to make the horses “gallop”

The carousel was located originally at Circular Quay before it became a touring attraction across NSW Ag Shows and events. It was was even at the Sydney Royal Easter Show from somewhere in the 1920’s through to 1939.

From 1949 ish it was at Manley Amusement Pier with the war restricting its use.

In 1951 it was electrified, by 1957 its back in action although being quite worse for wear it was fixed at Manley till the 1970’s

Darling Harbour authority picked it up in 1986, popped it in storage till it came out in 1988. It needed more TLC between 1990 and 1993, and also in that same year it got its little protective house to keep it safe from the elements where it’s been providing joy since 1996.

It’s also...