Luna Park Melbourne (2026): Tickets, Rides & Family Tips
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- Melbourne Tourism Guide
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- October 25, 2026
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- 12 min
Luna Park Melbourne — historic St Kilda amusement park since 1912. Tickets, 17 rides, the world-famous Scenic Railway, family tips and opening hours.
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Luna Park Melbourne is one of Australia’s oldest and most beloved amusement parks, perched on the foreshore at St Kilda since 13 December 1912. Its iconic giant Mr Moon face entrance and 1912-vintage Great Scenic Railway — the world’s oldest continuously operating wooden roller coaster — have made Luna Park a Melbourne institution for over a century. With 17 rides and the unmistakable beachside St Kilda location, Luna Park combines heritage charm with classic family fun.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a Luna Park visit: pricing options (single-ride vs unlimited), the best rides by age group, opening hours, accessibility, food options, the surrounding St Kilda attractions, and tips for avoiding queues and getting the best value. Whether you’re visiting with toddlers or teens — or just want a heritage Melbourne experience — this guide has the right info.
Luna Park at a glance
| Address | 18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Weekends, public holidays and school holidays; times vary by date, so check the opening-hours calendar at lunapark.com.au |
| Entry & single ride ticket | A$30 (ages 4+, ticket box, subject to capacity); extra rides A$15 |
| Unlimited Rides | A$57 (ages 13+), A$47 (ages 4-12 and concession), free for ages 0-3 |
| Best transport | Tram 96 from the CBD to Stop 138, Luna Park/The Esplanade |
| Best for | Families with kids 4-12, heritage / Melbourne icon visit |
| Time needed | 3-5 hours for full experience |
How to get to Luna Park
By tram (recommended)
Tram 96 from Bourke Street in the CBD runs towards St Kilda Beach; get off at Stop 138, Luna Park/The Esplanade, right by the park. Check the journey planner for travel times. Tram 16 along Swanston Street also stops at the St Kilda Esplanade. Use Myki — A$2.85 for 2 hours (full fare, Zone 1+2), which also covers your return if you start it within those two hours.
By car
Paid parking on Cavell Street, Acland Street, and the Lower Esplanade — A$3-5 per hour, or all-day at the Wilson Parking on Acland Street (A$15-20). Parking on summer weekends is challenging — arrive before 10:30am or after 4pm.
By rideshare
Rideshare drivers can drop you close to the entrance at 18 Lower Esplanade. Journey time from the CBD depends on traffic.
Tickets and prices
Everyone aged 4 and over needs a ticket to enter Luna Park. The basic option is entry with one ride or carnival game for A$30 at the ticket box, subject to availability; for a full day, unlimited rides work out better:
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry & Single Ride | A$30 | Entry plus one ride or carnival game (ticket box, subject to capacity) |
| Additional single ride | A$15 | One more ride |
| Unlimited Rides (ages 0-3) | Free | All rides |
| Unlimited Rides (ages 4-12, concession) | A$47 | All rides |
| Unlimited Rides (ages 13+) | A$57 | All rides |
| Family Pass | A$175 | Up to four guests, no more than two aged 13+ |
Book ahead: Buy online at lunapark.com.au before you go to guarantee entry; online bookings add an A$1.55 booking fee per ticket. Planning a group outing? Ask Luna Park for a quote.
Height restrictions: Tickets are priced by age, not height, but every ride sets its own height requirement. Check the ride safety guide on lunapark.com.au before you promise a small child a particular ride.
Iconic Mr Moon face entrance
Walk through the giant smiling Mr Moon face — the park’s best-known landmark. Mr Moon has welcomed visitors since opening day, 13 December 1912. The entrance arches are heritage-listed and have featured in countless films, postcards and tourism campaigns. Even if you don’t ride, walk through the face for the photo opportunity.
The rides
The Great Scenic Railway (the must-ride)
The Great Scenic Railway is the world’s oldest continuously operating wooden roller coaster, opened in 1912 and still using a brakeman who stands in the train to control speed by hand. From the top you get views over Port Phillip Bay and the Melbourne CBD skyline. Heritage-listed and recognised by the American Coaster Enthusiasts Association as a “coaster classic.”
- Height min: 110cm to ride alone; 100-110cm with a ticket-holding adult
- Intensity: Moderate (not as intense as modern coasters, but views and authenticity make it the must-ride)
The Ferris Wheel
The Ferris Wheel lifts you above the park for views across St Kilda and the bay. Suitable for all ages including infants.
Best rides for younger kids (under 8)
- Carousel: Heritage 1913 carousel, beautifully restored. Min height 90cm with adult.
- Red Baron: Spinning aircraft ride, kids’ favourite.
- Mini Disc-O: Low-intensity spinning ride.
- Rotor: Centrifugal-force spin (taller kids).
- Junior Pirate: Mini pirate ship for under-8s.
Best rides for thrill-seekers
- Pharaoh’s Curse: Flings riders 19 metres into the air
- Twin Dragon: Side-to-side swing pendulum
- Power Surge: 8m vertical drop
- Sky Rider: Slow but vertigo-inducing height
- Enterprise: Spinning vertical wheel
- The Great Scenic Railway: Heritage classic
When is Luna Park open?
Luna Park’s hours change seasonally and around school holidays:
- Usual opening days: Weekends, public holidays and school holidays
- Hours: Vary by date, and special sessions keep their own times; look up your day on the park’s calendar before you travel
- Closed: Christmas Day; reduced operations on some weekdays in winter (June-Aug)
Always check lunapark.com.au before visiting — the operations calendar updates monthly.
Best time to visit
Quietest: Term-time Saturdays at 11am opening, or Sundays after 4pm. Queues are minimal and unlimited passes get full value.
Busiest: Mid-summer school holidays (mid-Dec to late Jan), public holiday Monday afternoons, and Saturday afternoons (1-4pm). The Scenic Railway queue is the one to tackle first.
Best weather: Late spring (October-November) and early autumn (March-April) have the most pleasant weather. Some rides close in heavy rain or strong winds.
Special events
Halloween Fright Nights
Late October sees Luna Park transformed for “Fright Nights” — themed haunted house experiences, scare actors, and adult-only late sessions. Tickets A$45-65; recommended ages 14+.
Christmas at Luna Park
December sees the park decorated in lights, with Santa visits, themed entertainment and reduced family pricing.
Food and drink
- Cafe Luna: Pizzas, sandwiches and burgers.
- Mr Moon’s Carnival Treats: Fairy floss, hot dogs, dagwood dogs, fries, soft serve. Most items A$8-15.
- Coney Island Café: Burgers, chicken nuggets, fries. Kid-friendly.
- Multiple kiosks: Coffee, slushies, pretzels, doughnuts dotted around.
Outside food: Picnic baskets are not permitted inside Luna Park. However, the St Kilda foreshore directly outside has multiple cafes (Stokehouse, Pony Café, Republica) and the iconic Acland Street cake shops, ideal for pre- or post-park meals.
Family tips
- Supervising adults need tickets too: Everyone aged 4 and over needs an entry ticket, even if they only watch. Eligible Companion Card or We Care Card carers enter free with a full-price ticket holder.
- Pram-friendly: All paths sealed; pram parking near major rides.
- Ride swap: Adults can take turns on rides while one watches the kids — ride staff will swap you in without re-queuing.
- Photos: Mr Moon’s entrance is the shot everyone wants, so take yours on the way in.
- Souvenirs: Mr Moon t-shirts, pin badges, postcards. The gift shop is at the exit.
- Toilets: Multiple locations including changing tables.
- First aid: Located near the main entrance.
What’s around Luna Park
Luna Park’s St Kilda location makes it perfect for combining with other attractions:
- St Kilda Beach: One of the most popular beaches on Port Phillip Bay.
- St Kilda Pier: Free nightly little penguin viewing at the breakwater; bookings required.
- Acland Street: Famous cake shops, led by Monarch Cakes at 103 Acland Street, baking there since 1934.
- Sea Baths and St Kilda Sea Pool: The St Kilda City Baths opened here in 1931, after the earlier baths burned down in 1925; the redeveloped sea baths opened in 2001.
- The Esplanade Hotel (“the Espy”) (nearby): Historic 1878 pub; live music venue.
- Stokehouse Restaurant: Beachfront fine dining.
For a full St Kilda day trip, see our St Kilda Melbourne guide.
Accessibility
Luna Park is wheelchair-accessible — sealed paths, accessible toilets, and most paths are flat. Some rides have specific access requirements (the Scenic Railway is not wheelchair-accessible due to vintage construction). Companion Card holders enter free with the cardholder.
Sensory considerations: Luna Park can be noisy and visually intense. Earplugs are recommended for sensory-sensitive visitors.
Heritage and history
Luna Park opened on 13 December 1912; Sydney’s Luna Park didn’t follow until 4 October 1935. It was modelled on Coney Island and opened with the Scenic Railway, the Carousel, and the Devil’s Castle (still operating). Mr Moon’s giant face has greeted visitors since that first day. The Phillips brothers ran the park until their deaths in the 1950s, and a consortium headed by Lindsay Fox bought it in 2005.
Luna Park was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1982. The Scenic Railway, the Carousel, and the Mr Moon face entrance are all individually heritage-protected.
The rides, from gentle to thrilling
Luna Park, on the St Kilda foreshore, has been thrilling Melburnians since 1912, and you enter, famously, through the giant smiling face of Mr Moon. Inside you’ll find a mix of heritage and modern rides: the star is the Scenic Railway, the world’s oldest continuously operating roller coaster, where a conductor rides along to brake it by hand — a genuine piece of living history. There are gentle carousel and dodgem rides for little ones, mid-level fun for primary-age kids, and a handful of bigger thrill rides for teens. The vintage seaside-fun-park atmosphere is half the appeal — it’s nostalgic, photogenic and unlike anywhere else in the city.
Tickets and what to know
Entry through the famous face is free; you pay for the rides, either with single-ride tickets or (better value if you’re riding a lot) an unlimited rides pass, with cheaper rates for children and discounts for booking online. Height restrictions apply to the bigger rides, so check if you have younger children. Opening days and hours vary by season (it’s open more days in summer and school holidays, fewer in winter), so always check the schedule before you go. Allow a couple of hours to half a day depending on your kids’ ages and ride appetite.
Make a day of it in St Kilda
Luna Park sits in the heart of seaside St Kilda, so it’s easy to build a full day around it: the beach and foreshore, the Esplanade, the famous Acland Street cake shops, and at dusk the chance to spot little penguins on the St Kilda breakwater (free). It’s a classic Melbourne family combination of fun-park thrills and beachside charm. Pair it with the rest of our Melbourne with kids guide, and for the after-dark penguins and St Kilda’s evening scene, see our things to do at night guide.
Luna Park for toddlers vs big kids
The park works across ages, but the experience differs. For toddlers and pre-schoolers, the gentle heritage rides — the carousel, the smaller spinners and the kid-sized attractions — are the draw, and the free-to-enter forecourt lets you soak up the atmosphere without committing to a full pass. For primary-age kids, the mid-level rides and the dodgems hit the sweet spot, and most will be tall enough for the beloved Scenic Railway. Teens gravitate to the bigger thrill rides. Check height requirements before buying an unlimited pass, especially for younger children, so you choose the ticket that matches what they can actually ride.
A slice of living history
Part of Luna Park’s charm is that it’s a genuine heritage attraction, not a modern theme park. Opened in 1912, it bills itself as Australia’s oldest theme park, and Mr Moon’s grinning entrance face has welcomed generations of visitors. The Scenic Railway, dating from the park’s opening, is heritage-listed and the oldest continuously operating roller coaster on earth — riding it, with its hand-braking conductor, is like stepping into another era. That blend of nostalgia and seaside fun gives Luna Park a character the big chain parks simply can’t match, and it’s a big reason it remains such a beloved fixture of a St Kilda day out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Luna Park Melbourne cost?
Everyone aged 4 and over needs a ticket. Entry with one ride or game is A$30 at the ticket box, and each extra ride is A$15. Unlimited Rides tickets cost A$57 for ages 13+ and A$47 for ages 4-12 and concession holders (free for ages 0-3), plus A$1.55 per ticket booked online. A Family Pass covers up to four guests, no more than two of them aged 13 or over, for A$175.
How many rides are at Luna Park Melbourne?
Luna Park lists 17 rides, children’s rides included, alongside the Palace Arcade and carnival games. Major rides include the Great Scenic Railway, Pharaoh’s Curse, Twin Dragon, Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Sky Rider, Enterprise and Power Surge.
How long has Luna Park Melbourne been operating?
Luna Park opened on 13 December 1912 — over 110 years ago. It is one of Australia’s oldest amusement parks and the world’s oldest continuously operating wooden coaster (the Scenic Railway) is here.
Is Luna Park suitable for toddlers?
Yes, though height decides what they can ride, not age. Children under 110cm can ride the Carousel with an adult, while Power Surge needs riders between 130cm and 190cm. The 90cm height minimum opens up many rides; some have a 60cm with adult minimum. Under-4s don’t need a ticket.
Can you bring food into Luna Park?
Outside food is not permitted inside the park. The St Kilda foreshore directly outside has many casual food options — eat there before or after.
Is Luna Park open on weekdays?
Mostly in the school holidays. Luna Park normally opens on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, and its hours vary from day to day. Always check operating hours before visiting.
Is the Scenic Railway scary?
By modern standards, no — it’s a heritage 1912 wooden coaster with moderate intensity, and the authentic ride feel makes it more atmospheric than terrifying. Riders need to be 110cm to ride alone; children from 100cm to 110cm can ride with a ticket-holding adult. It’s a must-ride for the experience and views, not for thrills.
What’s the difference between Luna Park Melbourne and Sydney?
Melbourne’s opened in 1912 and Sydney’s in 1935, and both greet visitors with a famous smiling-face entrance. Sydney’s Luna Park is harbour-side at Milsons Point; Melbourne’s is beachside at St Kilda. Sydney has slightly more modern rides but lacks the world-famous wooden coaster of Melbourne.
Plan your visit
Luna Park is one of the must-do family experiences in Melbourne, and pairs naturally with St Kilda Beach for a half- or full-day in St Kilda. For more family planning ideas, see our Melbourne with kids guide, our St Kilda guide, and our Melbourne playgrounds guide.