Catalina Park. Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia.
Some history from Down Under ...
The land was purchased by Horace Gates owner of the Homesdale Guest House and Wentworth Cabaret who, in 1946, felt that a new attraction was needed to bring tourists back to the Blue Mountains after peace was declared. Accordingly he dammed Katoomba falls creek and had an ornamental lake and amusement park constructed offering ‘every facility for fun and food’.
The park was an instant success and in 1948 the shell of a Consolidated Catalina PBY-5 flying boat was added to the attractions which included speed boat rides, tea rooms, miniature train, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, swimming pool and a Giggle House showing Charlie Chaplin films. Although many people believed the plane had flown there, it had in fact been dismantled and brought to Katoomba by truck, where it was re-assembled and anchored to a concrete block in the middle of the lake.
Up to thirty passengers paid two shillings each to be taken out to the flying boat by punt where, in the dark, stuffy interior, they viewed film of a flight over Sydney, heard the story of the Catalina and tried out the controls. While the film was showing, an assistant would stand on the wing rocking the plane to simulate flight while the speed boat would circle the lake providing waves and engine noise. Fun seekers emerged from this immersive experience dizzy and gasping for air, many too ill to enjoy further amusements.
For many years the lake operated as Katoomba’s main swimming pool and provided a fireworks display after the New Year’s Eve street parade, however as patronage declined, it became run down and the water polluted.
Blue Mountains City Council purchased the land in 1952 with the purpose of turning the area into a public park and treated water swimming pool. In 1954 the Catalina, showing signs of age and wear, was pulled up onto the bank and left to the ravages of weather and souvenir hunters, until in 1958 it was sold to Sheffield Welding & Engineering, Auburn NSW, where it was dismantled and cut up for scrap.
The 2.1 km circuit opened in 1961 and remained in regular use until the 1970s. It was originally used for top level motorsport including touring car, open wheeler, motorcycle and sidecar racing through the 1960s.
Looking south east, showing the Catalina flying boat on the swimming lake, speed boat ride, fun fair, Ferris wheel and "monkey house" picnic shelter in left foreground.
The pool in its heyday with the diving tower and crowds, the Catalina PBY has been removed, BMCC CATALINA lettering on the life buoy ring on the diving tower.
The 2.1 km circuit opened in 1961 and remained in regular use until the 1970s. It was originally used for top level motorsport including touring car, open wheeler, motorcycle and sidecar racing through the 1960s.
Additional photos and information in the source link below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/blue_moun ... 621305285/
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