The Aquarium at Tamarama

The "Royal Bondi Aquarium and Pleasure Grounds" was an amusement park located in the lovely valley of Fletcher's Glen at Tamarama Beach. Popularly known as the BONDI AQUARIUM, it opened on October 1, 1887, with a Grand Military Band, Merry-go-rounds, swings, shooting gallery, water boats, Camera Obscura, Punch and Judy, and Dancing in the Grand Hall.

Marine life swimming in the Aquarium tanks included catfish, bream, whiting, mullet, lobsters, stingrays, porcupine-fish, turtles, a wobbegong shark and a tiger shark. Perhaps the most interesting and amusing of the Aquarium inhabitants for the children were the seals, who shared the pond with a solitary penquin.

The most popular attraction near the Aquarium was the exciting roller coaster ride above the sands of Tamarama Beach. Two roller skating rinks were "illuminated by the electric light"; Pain's Grand Fireworks exploded every Wednesday; Sacred and Classical Concerts were held each Sunday, and all were part of the Aquarium entertainment.

Feats of skill and daring were a special feature at the Aquarium, and these included  dangerous mounted sword contests; Alexander, the Australian Blondin, walking a wire from cliff to cliff; Captain George Drevar floating on a 'cask raft' through the pounding surf; and a Grand Balloon Ascent and Parachute Descent.

On the evening of  July 11, 1891, fire destroyed the Aquarium, but it was hard to keep it down, and it rose from the ashes in September the same year, and continued to be the number one entertainment for the people of Sydney. The Aquarium site was finally sold in 1906 to William Anderson who transformed the amusement park, re-naming it "Wonderland City".

 The Hot Air Balloon Escapade

On one occasion in 1890, on a very windy day, a hot-air balloon was sent aloft from the Aquarium with a dare-devil lady (Val Van Tassal) doing acrobats on a rope suspended underneath it.  The balloon was blown south, Val released her parachute and amazed cricketers on the Coogee oval by landing in the middle of their game! They nonchalantly folded up her parachute for her, and got on with their game, while she was taken back to the Aquarium, none the worse for wear!

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