KEY POINTS:
I didn't realise I had such an empathy with koalas. It turns out we both have concerns relating to height: the cute little creatures panic when they get too close to potential predators on the ground, while I don't like being up high.
I had mustered enough courage to ride the Claw, the Cyclone rollercoaster and even the Tower of Terror here at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, but any residue of bravado disappears as I look up at all 39 storeys' worth of the Giant Drop. At 119m high, it's been officially declared the "tallest vertical free-fall ride in the world" by the Guinness Book of World Records.
My feet keep on walking, heading to the park's Australian Wildlife Experience section.
My 9-year-old is keen to hold a koala for a family group photo, but this little buddy doesn't want a bar of it, starts climbing onto Jamie's head and is passed over to 12-year-old Aubin, where the 10 extra centimetres makes the little marsupial feel more secure.
Next photo stop is with the python. Yep, a snake: just what many Kiwis most fear when we cross the Ditch. Again, the 12-year-old is the bravest in our group - he also has no qualms about going on the Giant Drop - offering to hold the python's head. I hold the tail, the safer option I naively think, until the snake starts to wrap its tail around my wrist then once more just to be sure. Apparently this means he likes me, or so the snake handler says, but it's definitely a one-way attraction.
We learn a lot about toileting, too. The koala pushes out a couple of poos just before our photo, which prompts the boys to ask the snake handlers how snakes get rid of their waste. (Okay, that's not quite how my sons worded the question; but the answer is snakes have an opening in the tail area). And later, watching the tiger cubs, we learn never, ever step in tiger poo because it smells disgusting, thanks to their meat-only diet.
We're at the park on a two-day World Pass which lets us criss-cross between Dreamworld, now in its third decade, and neighbouring newcomer WhiteWater World.
It's a big ask - two parks full of rides in just two days, with the Big 6 Thrill Rides, Nickelodeon Central, Wiggles World for the littlies, Tiger Island, The Australian Wildlife Experience and FlowRider in Dreamworld all up for grabs, plus the water park's slides, Nickelodeon's Pipeline Plunge and wave pool. Tough work, but someone's gotta do it.
The trick in making the most of your visit is to have a plan of attack. You can go online at www.worldsinone.com.au, download the park map and tailor guidelines (for thrillseekers, families or those with small children) to suit your needs. The Big 6 Thrill Rides have the longest queues so it pays to hit them first. We find the Motocoaster (like a motorbike rollercoaster) and the Tower of Terror have the longest waits on our visit, but not far behind are some of the old chestnuts, the Captain Sturt Riverboat and Gold Rush Country.
Build in time, too, for some of the less in-your-face activities. We have a great time firing the soft foam balls with special guns and cannons in the Wild Thornberrys Rainforest Rampage in Nick Central. And the kids spend a good hour on the Nickelodeon's Pipeline Plunge in the water park (especially loving the anticipation of the bucket's 1000 litres of water splashing down on them). We also enjoy some quiet time out in the Australian Experience, patting the kangaroos and admiring the 4m saltwater croc Goliath.
We have come over to the Gold Coast for a week, allowing us three nights in a Broadbeach apartment and then basing the rest of our stay with my sister's family and catching up with friends who have moved to Aussie.
The Sierra Grand at Broadbeach proves an ideal base for our park visit. It's a couple of minutes from the beach, five minutes' stroll to two malls for cafes and shops, and only 20 minutes' drive from Dreamworld. Plus the apartment has kitchen facilities to keep holiday costs down as well as washing machine and dryer, perfect for drying towels drenched at WhiteWater World.
We tend to start the day on the park's big thrill rides, grab some lunch at one of the cafes and then head to the water park in the afternoon. The six big rides certainly get the adrenaline going, but they're also passive in that you're strapped in while you're dropped, spun around and flung into the air, so it's nice to get more active in the water park where you climb several flights of stairs to each slide. Plus it's a good way to cool down.
Just make sure you listen to the attendants' instructions and don't lie on the tube, like I did on one ride, instead of sitting on it. The tube and I part company early on and I have a few head-banging moments in the chute, hoping like hell that I am near the end of the ride rather than the start. Must say those lifeguards are beside me quickly as I splash into the water at the ride's end, not letting me go until they are sure I am not concussed.
From then on, I listen to the instructions and wait for the attendant to give me the okay.
While my husband is waiting for me after my head-banging ride, there's no sign of the boys. We decide to test out the park's "lost parents" strategy - except it's awfully tempting to first squeeze in one more ride, sans children, before we go into panic mode.
And, wouldn't you know it; just as we start to climb the steps to the Green Room, we hear a voice. "Mum, Dad, where were you? I've been looking all over the park for you." Busted.
Would we go again? Yes, in a flash. But we would take advantage of the 14 days you have to use the two-day pass. That way you can hit the parks on the first day, then have a couple of days to chill out at beach, shop, blob out by the hotel pool, and then head back to the park with renewed energy.
Getting there:
Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue fly Auckland to Gold Coast Airport.
Where to stay:
Our two-bedroom unit in the Mantra Sierra Grand, Broadbeach, was just 20 minutes' drive to Dreamworld and within strolling distance of the beach, Pacific Fair, Jupiters Casino and Broadbeach's shopping malls. The kids loved the outdoor and indoor heated pools. One-bedroom units start from A$180 ($212) a night and two bedrooms from A$238. Phone 0061 756 654 450 or visit www.stellaresorts.com.au.
Theme parks:
Arrive early. During the peak holiday seasons, the park often opens earlier than its 10am advertised time.
By being early you can make the most of the shorter queues.
Go online at www.worldsinone.com.au and plan your attack.
Slip, slop, slap and take water. Take extra towels and plastic bags to carry wet towels and togs. You can shower in the changing rooms.
Food:
Although park rules say you can't take food into Dreamworld, you are allowed to in WhiteWater World, and there's lot of seating under shade. Both parks have food for sale; best value is the buffet at the Billabong Café, and the Big Brother Café does great burgers.
Park costs:
A 2 Day World Pass is A$102 (adults), A$68 (children and pensioners). A 2 Day Family and Friends World Pass is A$306 for two adults and two kids (you don't have to be related as long as your group has two adults and two kids, aged between 4 and 13 and you pre-purchase your tickets online). For more details, visit www.worldsinone.com.au.
Getting around:
We hired a car but you can also catch Surfside buses or Translink trains from the Gold Coast. Visitor information centres have timetables or you can go online.
