Nothing but dirt tracks and decomposing buildings remain of what used to be iconic amusement park, Old Sydney Town.
In eerie drone footage captured from above the Central Coast site, the former popular family entertainment hub looks more like an 1800s ghost town.
Since being officially closed in 2003, the grounds have become completely overrun by grass and weeds, while buildings that used to house craft stores and kiosks have fallen apart.
Drone footage of what used to be Central Coast’s Old Sydney Town has shown how much the site has deteriorated since the park was closed in 2003. Replica Perseverance ship pictured
The Replica Perseverance ship has been totally overrun foliage and is on the brink of sinking
Old Sydney Town waterfront area once featured manicured gardens and well kept frontage
Remnants of what used to be the bustling theme park are vaguely noticeable, with the replica tall Perseverance ship rotting away and its deck covered in weeds.
In the video, which was captured by drone enthusiast Mitchell Hubbard, the small acreage is barren and unkept, drawing attention to the extent of its ongoing decay.
Proposals to revive the much loved facility emerged about five years ago when the family of its founder, Frank Fox, entered discussions with the site’s owner French businessman, Richard Chiu.
The former popular family entertainment hub now looks more like an 1800s ghost town
It was once a thriving community of its own, drawing huge crowds of families
The water frontage now looks barren and dry, with it unlikely to have received maintenance attention since the park closed
But talks never amounted to anything, with Mr Chiu’s plans for the land unknown.
Around the same time, community group Bring Back Old Sydney Town petitioned for the amusement park to be resurrected which gained more than 11,500 signatures in its support.
The plans dissipated when elected Government leaders failed to ‘take on’ the cause on behalf of the Central Coast community, according to group spokesman, Jake Cassar.
Remnants of what used to be the bustling theme park are vaguely noticeable
The small acreage is barren and unkept, drawing attention to the extent of its ongoing decay
Proposals to revive the much loved facility emerged about five years ago
‘We’ve had support from some “high places” but they essentially expect our non profit Community organisation to make it all happen,’ Mr Cassar told Coast Community News in 2015.
Mr Cassar believed the park would boost tourism and the economy, and suggested the site host an annual festival, drive-in movies, and have an Australian themed swimming area called The Billabong.
Avid drone flyer, Mr Hubbard, who also wanted the park reopened, told the Daily Telegraph he thought the park would have a better chance of survival in the modern market.
The Bring Back Old Sydney Town group petitioned for the amusement park to be resurrected and gained more than 11,500 signatures in its support
Plans dissipated when elected Government leaders failed to ‘take on’ the cause on behalf of the Central Coast community
It was suggested the site could host an annual festival, drive-in movies, and have an Australian themed swimming area called The Billabong
‘I feel it was a bit before its time and would fare better in today’s tourism industry,’ he said.
‘A revamped OST could have aboriginal culture on display and include the indigenous story in the some of the scenes.’
‘I think it would be great for Central Coast tourism but personally, it’s the historical aspects that interest me most.’
The grounds have been used by film production crews since its closure.
Mr Hubbard thought the park would have a better chance of survival in the modern market
‘I feel it was a bit before its time and would fare better in today’s tourism industry,’ Mr Hubbard
The grounds have been used by film production crews since its closure in 2003