The Big Mouth (Luna Park)
Height
9 metres tall
Year Built
1912
Address
18 Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, VIC 3182
The Lowdown
The Big Mouth of Luna Park Melbourne is one of Australia's most recognisable icons - a giant laughing face that has welcomed millions of visitors since the amusement park opened in 1912. Located on the St Kilda foreshore, this massive grinning visage serves as the park entrance, with visitors walking through its open mouth into a wonderland of rides and sideshows. The face is heritage-listed as part of the Luna Park complex, which is one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the world. For over a century, this Big Mouth has been the face of Melbourne fun, appearing in countless photographs and becoming synonymous with seaside entertainment.
Did you know?
"Luna Park is on the St Kilda foreshore, perfect for combining beach and fun park visits"
History
Luna Park Melbourne opened on 13 December 1912, modelled on the original Luna Park at Coney Island in New York. The laughing face entrance was designed to evoke the spirit of fun and fantasy that awaited inside. The park has operated almost continuously for over 110 years, surviving the Great Depression, two World Wars, and changing entertainment tastes. The face has been repainted and restored multiple times but retains its original joyful design. In 1998, Luna Park was added to the Victorian Heritage Register, protecting this beloved Melbourne landmark for future generations.
More Fun Facts
- •Luna Park Melbourne is one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the world
- •The face entrance design was inspired by Coney Island's Luna Park
- •You walk through the mouth to enter the park
- •The Scenic Railway wooden roller coaster dates from 1912 and is heritage-listed
- •Luna Park is on the St Kilda foreshore, perfect for combining beach and fun park visits
Visiting Tips
- 💡Entry to Luna Park is free - you only pay for rides
- 💡The Scenic Railway is one of the world's oldest operating roller coasters
- 💡Combine with a walk along St Kilda beach and pier
- 💡Sunday markets operate nearby on the Esplanade
Opening Hours
Exterior visible at all times. Luna Park has seasonal operating hours.
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