Dreamworld Opens New Gyro Swing “King Claw”
Image: Courtesy of Dreamworld
(eap) The theme park Dreamworld in Queensland, Australia, officially put its latest attraction, “King Claw”, into operation last week. The ride is an Intamin Gyro Swing that transports riders to heights of up to 42 meters, reaching speeds of up to 98 km/h and forces of up to 4.6 G. A maximum of 40 guests can be accommodated per ride. King Claw is twice as tall and faster than its predecessor attraction, “The Claw” (also an Intamin Gyro Swing). In addition, King Claw is said to be Australia’s first ride to use a metal detector at the entrance, intended to ensure that guests can experience the attraction smoothly and safely.
Image: Courtesy of Dreamworld
“King Claw truly redefines what a thrill ride can be. The physical sensation it delivers – the power, the height, the speed, the weightlessness – is unlike anything else you’ll experience in the Southern Hemisphere. It hits you in a way that’s both breathtaking and addictive, and that’s exactly what world-class thrills should do. Launching a ride of this scale makes me incredibly proud, not just because it elevates Dreamworld as Australia’s biggest theme park, but because it firmly positions us as a significant player on the global stage,” states Greg Yong, CEO of Dreamworld.
Dreamworld’s Director of Engineering, Aaron Holman, says the engineering team is proud to see guests finally experience the ride they’ve worked so passionately on: “Our goal was simple: take the legacy of The Claw and amplify it in every direction. King Claw is taller, it’s faster, it hits harder – and the forces are phenomenal. The first time we tested it at full power, the entire team just looked at each other and said, ‘This is going to blow people away.’”
The new attraction follows the themed areas “Kenny and Belinda’s Dreamland”, which opened in 2024 (see EAP news of 9 Jan 2024), as well as “Rivertown” – including the world’s first Switchback Coaster “Jungle Rush” by Vekoma (see EAP 3/2025). Like King Claw, these developments are part of an extensive redevelopment program with an investment volume of more than AUD 50 million (approx. EUR 28 million). ■
