A familiar thrill ride has officially closed after decades of excitement, leaving fans with a sense of nostalgia and curiosity about what’s next.

The announcement of this iconic attraction’s retirement has sparked plenty of buzz among theme park enthusiasts.

But this is just the beginning of a new chapter—one that promises to take the popular theme park experience to even greater heights.

The Claw has officially closed its gates after more than two decades of thrills at Dreamworld, taking its final ride on 28 January morning.

The beloved attraction was retired to make space for the highly anticipated King Claw, a revamped and upgraded version of the classic ride, set to open later this year.

Dreamworld had announced the closing of The Claw just two weeks earlier, building excitement for what’s to come.

Dreamworld bids farewell to The Claw after 20 years. Image source: Instagram/sharnz_1

‘After over 20 years of thrilling sky-high swings and iconic 360-degree spins, The Claw is bowing out,’ Dreamworld shared on social media.

‘But don’t worry, thrill-seekers — the new The Claw is set to take the throne in 2025, bringing even bigger adventures to our skyline.’

The Claw had been a favourite among theme park visitors for over 20 years, offering a heart-racing experience.

With its closure, Dreamworld promised a new ride that would up the ante, with The Claw tipped to be the largest gyro swing in the Southern Hemisphere.

The new ride, at 27 metres tall and reaching speeds of up to 98 km/h, will be 50 per cent higher and faster than its predecessor.

Dreamworld teased the design of The Claw with a cryptic post: ‘Legend speaks of a sea creature the size of a ship with the form of a dragon, and it’s about to make its mark on Dreamworld.’

Watch the final swing of The Claw below.

Source: Instagram/dreamworldau​

Key Takeaways

• The Claw at Dreamworld closed after more than 20 years of thrilling visitors, taking its final ride on 28 January.
• The closure was to make way for The Claw, a revamped and larger version of the ride, set to open later this year.
• Dreamworld teased *King Claw* as the largest gyro swing in the Southern Hemisphere, 50 per cent higher and faster than The Claw.
• A cryptic social media post hinted that The Claw would be inspired by a sea creature resembling a dragon, set to take its place in 2025.

With so many years of excitement behind The Claw, how do you think the new ride will compare? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

[Mr Chips]

Sounds a bit like my mobility scooter trying to get up a badly made ramp!

 

[Luckyus]

The only King Claw I want is found on a mud crab or any other big bugger?

 

[Still Ebby]

The only King Claw I want is found on a mud crab or any other big bugger?

Looks horrible !. l will leave it to the young ones

 

[freedy50]

No thanks. If I wanted to be sat in something that done 98km/h I'd be in my car on the motorway.

 

[magpie1]

Doesn't GRAB my interest I'm afraid.....maybe if I was 50 years younger it would.

 

[April Bradford]

I audibly gasped but if a new and improved version is coming, I'm happy

 

[novezar]

I'm getting a bit long in the tooth now for this sort of excitement.
Much prefer footing on good old terra firma.

 

[Suzanne rose]

The only King Claw I want is found on a mud crab or any other big bugger?

I cooked a mud crab the other day and as my 3 year old granddaughter said , it's a cheeky bugger.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I think it's been 40 years since I went on a ride at Luna Park and the scariest ride then was The Zipper a very tame ride to The Claw.

I wouldn't go on it. Not sure how many over 50 would

 

[Luckyus]

I think it's been 40 years since I went on a ride at Luna Park and the scariest ride then was The Zipper a very tame ride to The Claw.

I wouldn't go on it. Not sure how many over 50 would

You reckon a bit like Bungee jumping, after the third bounce shit starts coming out of your collar?

 

[Still Ebby]

I cooked a mud crab the other day and as my 3 year old granddaughter said , it's a cheeky bugger.

l have just looked up ''how to cook a mud crab'' as l just wondered if it was still alive like a lobster when they cook it and it sounds like it is except the first one who said to stab it in the eyes to kill it which sounds gross to me but better then the other two of putting the crab [ that had been in ice to put it to sleep ] into a pan and bringing it slowly to the boil or the other of putting it into boiling water. How did you cook yours if you don't mind me asking?.
l know l am over sensitive and silly but l put myself into their place .l wish l wasn't like that it just seems so cruel . One person on SDC did tell me a while back that they don't feel but l find that hard to believe

 

[magpie1]

l have just looked up ''how to cook a mud crab'' as l just wondered if it was still alive like a lobster when they cook it and it sounds like it is except the first one who said to stab it in the eyes to kill it which sounds gross to me but better then the other two of putting the crab [ that had been in ice to put it to sleep ] into a pan and bringing it slowly to the boil or the other of putting it into boiling water. How did you cook yours if you don't mind me asking?.
l know l am over sensitive and silly but l put myself into their place .l wish l wasn't like that it just seems so cruel . One person on SDC did tell me a while back that they don't feel but l find that hard to believe

Put them to sleep in the freezer first.....then cook on stove in pot of water....humane way of doing it.

 

[Suzanne rose]

l have just looked up ''how to cook a mud crab'' as l just wondered if it was still alive like a lobster when they cook it and it sounds like it is except the first one who said to stab it in the eyes to kill it which sounds gross to me but better then the other two of putting the crab [ that had been in ice to put it to sleep ] into a pan and bringing it slowly to the boil or the other of putting it into boiling water. How did you cook yours if you don't mind me asking?.
l know l am over sensitive and silly but l put myself into their place .l wish l wasn't like that it just seems so cruel . One person on SDC did tell me a while back that they don't feel but l find that hard to believe

I don't cook it alive, I actually put it in the freezer for 24 hours. It puts it asleep and by 24 hours it won't wake up
The I cook it in very little bit of water with the lid on

 

[Veggiepatch]

Looks horrible !. l will leave it to the young ones

Exactly!

Looks like a prop from the movie The War Of The Worlds....

 

[Still Ebby]

Exactly!

Looks like a prop from the movie The War Of The Worlds....

Sure does

 

[PattiB]

l have just looked up ''how to cook a mud crab'' as l just wondered if it was still alive like a lobster when they cook it and it sounds like it is except the first one who said to stab it in the eyes to kill it which sounds gross to me but better then the other two of putting the crab [ that had been in ice to put it to sleep ] into a pan and bringing it slowly to the boil or the other of putting it into boiling water. How did you cook yours if you don't mind me asking?.
l know l am over sensitive and silly but l put myself into their place .l wish l wasn't like that it just seems so cruel . One person on SDC did tell me a while back that they don't feel but l find that hard to believe

I’m with you on this Ebby. I remember many long years ago my cousin called & told me he had an excess of crayfish & he’d bring some for my husband. A little while later he arrived with several live crays. I was so horrified so he popped them in the laundry sink for Ted to cook when he came home. That was when I realised how it was done. I still can’t face the thought of eating any form of seafood. The trauma of that day still remains, & I still wish I’d gathered them up & walked across to the beach and let them go.

 

[Still Ebby]

I’m with you on this Ebby. I remember many long years ago my cousin called & told me he had an excess of crayfish & he’d bring some for my husband. A little while later he arrived with several live crays. I was so horrified so he popped them in the laundry sink for Ted to cook when he came home. That was when I realised how it was done. I still can’t face the thought of eating any form of seafood. The trauma of that day still remains, & I still wish I’d gathered them up & walkedl across to the beach and let them go.

l am so glad you feel the same as me l thought l was the only one being too sensitive. l loved lobster till l found out how they boil them live. How can people do this?

 

[Cyberchook]

Nope