Abandoned Atlantis Marine Park

[@hilzcrew]

Hi Grant, came across your footage tonight...its definatly sad to see it like this...once upon a time it was a magical place to visit opened by Alan Bond. The dolphin performances are something I'll never forget, only few nights ago i was telling my own kids about the amazing attractions Perth once had... im now 50! We visited Atlantis when I was about 11-12 yrs old. The drive out there from SOR seemed a very long way to go loI i have some amazing memories of our day out there. My family had also visited the Bullens Lion Safari in Wannaroo and El Caballo Blanco which were just fantastic back in the day. Apart from Adventure World today there's not really many places like the great attractions they have in the USA. A Disney Land Perth would be brilliant!

[@GrantMenner]

Omg it is so sad to see Atlantis like it is now. It’s hard to believe that there is really nothing left. You would think there would be more signs of the pools and water features.. only the concrete edges left in some places. El Caballo Blanco was great too.. I remember going there with my parents too.. mum loved the horses. Yes Perth needs another great and iconic attraction. I would be great.

[@nevillebest3500]

Hi there Grant. Great video there 👍I visited Atlantis in 83 I remember the fantastic 🐬 dolphin show amazing. Probably the best I have ever seen I really liked that place. Such a real shame what has happened to it now unbelievable 😱 I have been wondering what happened to it for many years hard to believe how it is today oh dear 😳. Neville Sydney 👍

[@GrantMenner]

It’s crazy and sad that there is almost nothing left of Atlantis Neville. I went back a couple of weeks ago and there is even less now.. the big King Neptune Statue is still there.. by they are subdividing the land around it for housing.. Neptune will be looking over peoples backyards… 😔

[@steveb6821]

Hi Grant, great video. When I was a kid in the 80's there was a competition in the newspaper to name a newborn baby dolphin at Atlantis in which we entered with the name Caesar. Our family ended up winning first prize with free tickets to the park (thanks to my late Grandfather's name suggestion) and visited the park shortly afterwards. This really brings back memories......!

[@GrantMenner]

Oh wow how amazing Steve. What a great memory, you guys named one of the baby dolphins.. have to agree that Caesar sounds like a very appropriate and fit name for a dolphin at Atlantis.. you are part of the Atlantis history then I’d say. 😊

[@stephenquicke2399]

Amazing video thankyou so much. I went there in yr 6 as a school trip i saw the dolphins in a show we toured the Beautiful place even went into the Labratory to dissect some fish. The place was amazing I think it was 1989 when i was there A very amazing place back then lots of people there and many iconic limestone statues.I think there were many tricks and stunts with trainers, it was a good memory, im 42 now but remember it well.

[@GrantMenner]

Hey Stephen it’s amazing how we can remember some things from our childhood like it was yesterday. Atlantis is definitely one of those memories. Just a shame that there is really nothing left now.

[@FalconGT351c]

Hi mate, this is a great video! We were only there about 3 weeks ago and got a photo of our classic Falcon on the new road near King Neptune. I also have a couple of photos from a few years back from a walk around in the old park. I live in Kalgoorlie but grew up in Perth. I once visited Atlantis around 85.... I'm 44 now. Cheers

[@GrantMenner]

Hi Falcon.. Gotta love that name FalconGT! 😜. Oh wow, that would’ve made for a great photo of your classic Falcon with King Neptune in the background. It’s amazing to think what Atlantis once was.. and now there is barely a sign it was even there.. apart from the statues. I haven’t been to Kalgoorlie in years.. but I do have some extended family that live there.. I must be over due for another visit.

[@anthony75509]

Hey Mate. Thanks for doing this video always been fascinated about the Atlantis and what happened to it, I remember as a kid that it took forever to get there and because the peak season was summer I found that there was very little shade to escape from the sun. Still had a great time 😊.

[@GrantMenner]

Hey A Rossi, you are so welcome.. OMG it still takes forever to get there.. haha.. yes there wasn’t much cover from the sun.. Love that we have these memories from when we were kids..

[@flatcapman]

Hi Grant. My Mother and Brother went around Australia in 1983 and pictures were taken outside the front entry as well as the wild west town set up and the Dolphins as well. A pity I wasn't there because the place looked like fun then

[@steveslatter5388]

Hi Grant, Steve from England here. We stayed at Two Rocks in 1994. The fences were much more secure then so didn’t get to see all the statues and features you’ve show us here. At that time the dolphins that used to perform in Atlantis were then at Hilary’s. The story went that they had tried to release them back into the wild but they were so used to humans they would approach fishermen out on the ocean. They were, unfortunately, abused, so they were taken back into the harbour and were performing there.

[@GrantMenner]

Hi Steve, oh what a shame you didn’t get to the the statues.., there would have been a lot more statutes to see back in 1994 too. But the ones that are left now are pretty cool. Yes there was a big undertaking to try a get the dolphins ready to be released back into the wild.. I think some were released, however they had to keep 3 or 4 at Hilarys because they “wouldn’t cope in the wild”.. too used to the human contact and being fed.. There are stories that when they were trying to teach them to find there own food, they were more interested in playing with the handlers and seeking their attention.. I also read that the dolphins were only captured 6 months before Atlantis opened.. They must be really intelligent to be taught the tricks they performed in such a short time frame.. It takes some of us longer to train our dogs..

[@sandraargese2920]

Hi Grant - love this video. I’m so fascinated by Atlantis; its history, the stories behind it, and the remains of Atlantis today. I’ve myself visited it several times and always find something new with each visit.. what I’d give to own one of the original Atlantis jumpers or pieces of memorabilia! Recommend checking out the new museum in perth CBD too - there’s a small section dedicated to Atlantis :)

[@GrantMenner]

Hi Sandra, thank you. I was surprised just how much Mother Nature has taken back Atlantis. There really isn’t much left. Agree with you that the more you explore, the more old pieces of Atlantis you find. I will have to check out the new museum for the Atlantis bits.. Imagine is the park was still open today. 😀

[@Kerri6024]

@@GrantMenner I wish so badly, that local councils in that area or nearish, or even Perth museum, would take the remaining sculptures and put them where the public can still enjoy them today, in parks etc. Then if nature wants to swallow up the whole area that's fine but we continue to enjoy the memories (without having to - probably illegally - break in to do so). What a shameful waste.

[@GrantMenner]

@@Kerri6024 so agree with everything you said Kerri. The most of the statues (smaller ones at least) have been moved to a park across the car park of the old Atlantis. Would you believe that most of the site has now been cleared and road put in. I think they are putting a shopping centre on the site.. such a shame.. Thanks I will check out the new museum, I did hear that they had a bit of info on Atlantis. 😁

[@dexcellentproductions2086]

Great stuff as always

[@GrantMenner]

Thank you Dex. I have to say.. I was really surprised that there is really nothing left of Atlantis.. I thought there would’ve been a bit more evidence of the pools/lakes... They should redevelop it into a huge waterside fun park.. but guess it is a dam long drive from Perth. Hope you have had a nice long weekend.

[@marlenewilliamson5408]

I went to alantics marine park when I was 11 years old and now I am 53 years old it was so beautiful and wonderful I went with my parents

[@GrantMenner]

Omg Marlene, that is how I remember Atlantis too. So much fun as a kid, very fond memories. Such a shame to see there is not much left anymore.. almost no sign of it..

[@musicmannot]

Great video.

[@GrantMenner]

Thank you. It is hard to imagine Atlantis was ever there now…

[@daisythekat707]

Thanks great video, I went there as a kid was pretty awesome

[@GrantMenner]

Thank you. I remember going as a kid too too Atlantis. And thinking how amazing and quite magical the dolphins where.. times have changed but I still think dolphins must be very smart creatures.. its great to see them in the wild swimming free in the ocean.

[@hypathiaevans963]

OMG im 45yrs old. I remember my parents taking us kids when i was maybe 9-10 yrs old. I dont remember much but i definitely remember the statues. I've been back to see it abandoned but didnt walk around much. Its certainly going to be a trip i make out with my adult kids and grandson

[@GrantMenner]

I have the same memories with parents taking me too, when I was a kid. So remember the statues and the pools.. such a shame it couldn’t have been kept and redeveloped into something else for the general public.

[@Kerri6024]

I went to Atlantis for about three years up to its closing, a friend of mine was one of the care takers at the dolphin features so sometimes I would join him - "front and back of house".

[@GrantMenner]

omg.. what amazing memories you must have Kerri being able to see the dolphins front and back of house.. they are such beautiful creatures.. you must have some great stories to tell.

[@avrilcarreira7122]

Just went there today, sadly Neptune is the only really visible left over remnant of Atlantis. He now overlooks a completely bulldozed and flattened land. All the bush and limestone stairs that were there - gone. Super sad.

[@GrantMenner]

It’s such a shame isn’t it Avril? Last time I was there I could see the bulldozers getting ready to flatten the land for houses..such a shame that more of the park couldn’t be kept.. you would think they could have at least made a play ground or something similar around Neptune.. instead of just fencing it off… 🙁 🐬

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

King Neptune is about the only recognisable bit of the old marine park these days. It is surprising the site has never been redeveloped. Watch out for snakes in there! There are a few more statues relocated over near the shopping area (at least they were there last time we looked.)

[@GrantMenner]

OMG it is so surprising that King Neptune is the only main recognisable features of the marine park left. I thought there would be more signs of the pools/ponds etc. apart from some of the concrete edges you really wouldn’t even know they were there.. such a shame.. I wish there was more of the park preserved.. but I guess that would all cost money. It’s great that they were able to raise some money to restore King Neptune somewhat.. Yes some of the statues where recovered from Atlantis and have been moved to the grassy park next to Atlantis.. But would’ve been so much more enjoyable if you could discover the statues in their resting places in Atlantis.. It would’ve made for a great “discovery trail”...

[@shivasuresh5957]

A lot of cool rock sculptures. Nice one Grant.

[@GrantMenner]

Hey Shiva, yes glad that some of them have survived.. there’s a lot that haven’t.. which is a shame.

[@shaunejohnson2463]

This my favourite yet grant! The abandoned place. You can really use your imagination. Keep them coming.

[@GrantMenner]

Thank you Shaune.. Yeah your imagination can run wild. 😀

[@shirleyellis9708]

Wow, interesting. Video. Never been there I hope you didn't have trouble finding your way back out again.👍

[@GrantMenner]

Thank you Shirley.. OMG.. it would be so easy to get lost.. and to think we only walked through areas that probably covered less than a quarter of the stadium... I pity the poor cleaners.. (apparently they are constantly cleaning the place.. the day we visited they had cleaners with vacuums or blowers walking the all the seats of the stadium.. up and down.. omg.. so many chairs/concrete to keep clean.. 😝

[@courtneyjane4419]

Cool video Grant! Are those security cameras near king neptune?

[@GrantMenner]

Thank you Courtney. Yes they are security cameras near King Neptune.. I think they work.. I assume they have been installed to try and stop the anti social behaviour/or more destruction/vandalism of the great statue. I think King Neptune should live there forever..

[@courtneyjane4419]

@@GrantMenner hmm I’d be reluctant to visit seeing as the area was fenced off and there’s cameras. Wouldn’t want to get done for trespassing. Might still give it a crack though seeing as you didn’t have any issues. I hope so too! He’s a beauty

[@GrantMenner]

@@courtneyjane4419 OMG. No way, definitely go check it out Courtney. You wont have any problems I’m sure. I think since they have restored King Neptune somewhat and given him a fresh coat of paint, they have actually opened up the grounds up a little. You can walk up to King Neptune and takes pics etc now.. I think they have realised it is better to allow some “tourist” activity instead of totally fencing everything off, which obviously just attracts the bad element. It is so sad to see that there is really nothing left of Atlantis. Most of the statues that have survived have been moved out to a park right next door (guess that was a way of protecting the statues as well..). It’s a great area to explore, I’m sure you will have some fun.. (pretty sure the security cameras are there more to monitor/stop the graffiti etc..)

[@courtneyjane4419]

@@GrantMenner ah ok cheers Grant, I’ll be sure to check it out soon :) thanks!

[@GrantMenner]

@@courtneyjane4419 you are so welcome! Let me know if you know of any other great places to check out.. Always great to hear from someone that lives in Perth! 😀👍

[@robinking4841]

Hi Grant, good on you showing us that. I am surprised its gone this way. I remember when it was in its heyday. Is anyone going to make it into something else for public to share. Maybe resurrect the paths and garden and create a maze of some sort?

[@GrantMenner]

Hey Robin, you are welcome.. It’s such a shame that there is really nothin left. I don’t think anyone has any plans to do anything with the site.. its is just sitting there empty and fenced off, I think it was some of the nearby residents that rallied around to raise money to restore King Neptune.. A maze sounds like a great idea.. or big water slide park.. Let’s hope someone buys the land and does turn it into something and not just houses....

[@muja28]

Remember it well shame it was such at good tourist attraction and great fun for the locals

[@GrantMenner]

Such a shame that it couldn’t continue in some form.. there was something magical about it when you were a kid.

[@DameEdnaBrown]

Good one Grant, been there a number of times

[@GrantMenner]

Thanks Bob.. I hadn’t been there since Atlantis was open and I was a kid.. its a shame that more of the statues haven’t been preserved..

[@catwbb6113]

Hey! Whats the security like? If i were to go there and take pictures are the cameras at netptunes head going to see me and send someone over or will they ignore me if I just take pictures and leave?

[@Kerri6024]

Atlantis Marine Park was part of our history. I wish so badly, that local councils in that area or nearish, or even Perth museum, would take the remaining sculptures and put them where the public can still enjoy them today, in parks etc. Then if nature wants to swallow up the whole area that's fine but we continue to enjoy the memories (without having to - probably illegally - break in to do so). What a shameful waste.

[@GrantMenner]

Hi Kerri. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYfKeWuQf5anfas this video I shot on my last visit up to the old Atlantis.. at least King Neptune statue has been restored and kept.. I think it might being be on the heritage register now.. but there is not much left of the former site.. very sad.. surely this would have been an ideal spot to create a huge water fun park for all to enjoy.. or something like that.

[@jilliantaylor9582]

Need an original map. May have given you an idea of what was were.

[@GrantMenner]

OMG.. Yes! an original map would have made this visit a lot easier.. wish I had thought of that before going. I would have been much easier to visualise what was left with a the Atlantis Park map.

[@anthonymcnab9784]

We went there in the 87, I hurt myself on one of those water slides.. I think they should rebuild the park..

[@GrantMenner]

Hi Anthony, omg they should totally rebuild the park.. surely the site has great potential.. Huge waterslide fun park would be amazing as a thought.. I cant remember the year I went.. but it is so hard to picture Atlantis as I remembered it, when you walk through the grounds today.. there really isn’t much left...

[@LiamP589]

Actually the suburb is Two Rocks

[@GrantMenner]

Haha yeah Liam it is Two Rocks.. I was used to my parents calling it Yanchep from when I was a kid.

[@conniebrown2846]

Another amazing video. We visited about 2 years ago. My dad did some of the limestone work Atlantis

[@GrantMenner]

@@conniebrown2846 thank you Connie.. OMG wow your dad did some of the limestone work.. that’s amazing.. Shame that the park closed. I’m sure it could have been redeveloped into something else.. but guess it is a LONG way from Perth...

[@anthonymcnab9784]

We called it Kings Neptune’s park..

[@GrantMenner]

I’d have to agree with you Anthony. The way King Neptune sat high on the hill overlooking the whole park and the ocean.. it was definitely his park. 😜. I am glad they have restored him. Let’s hope hey sits on that hill for many more years to come.

[@suave-rider]

Your opening segment reminded me of the scene at the end of Planet Of The Apes where Charlton Heston finds the half buried Statue of Liberty.kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppOloZykrtZ4Y5I

[@GrantMenner]

Hey Pedro, thank you for that. I just clicked on the link you sent for the Planet of the Apes.. omg it is kinds similar.. King Neptune overlooking the coastline like that half buried Statute of Liberty.. Where are you from Pedro? You been to Atlantis?