Caribbean Gardens
Caribbean Gardens is a 100 acres (0.40 km2) market and gardens located in the outer eastern suburb of Scoresby in Melbourne, Australia. It is one of the largest privately run markets in Australia and has been operating since 1965.
The market itself is contained under a large warehouse and has adjoining large recreational gardens and amusement rides such as a chairlift over the lake, relocated from Whistle Stop Amusement Park in 1970, and is the only recreational chairlift currently operating in Victoria. Other rides include a train ride and boat cruises. The train circumnavigates Lake Caribbean on its 3.14 kilometre loop track.
History
In 1945, A.W. Spooner acquired 300 acres (1.2 km2) of land in Scoresby which he named "Dalmore Park". On this land he built a French Provincial mansion.
In 1958, whilst overseas, he found the material known as fibreglass, and realised its potential in the boat-building industry. Soon after, he established the Caribbean Boat Factory. It soon became necessary to have a lake for the testing of the boats and in the early 1960s, Lake Caribbean was built. It was subsequently opened to the public and developed by one of his sons, Rod Spooner, as Caribbean Gardens.
Caribbean Gardens was the host of several amusement rides such as a Ferris wheel, merry go round, go karts, submarine and a Chair-O-Planes ride until the mid-1990s when these rides were removed amid fears for safety after the Chair-O-Planes ride toppled over and landed in the lake. The chairlift, train and Jungle Cruise are the only permanent rides in operation. However, temporary fairground rides occasionally operate at the Gardens on some days.
Lake Caribbean
Lake Caribbean was built by Caribbean Boats for testing their boats. The lake was a prominent waterskiing venue until someone was seriously injured in the 1970s. Despite this incident, waterskiing events are still hosted occasionally on the lake.
See also
- List of farmers' markets