Using skills in a structured environment of fear, speed, and thrills will be the focus of theme park developers in Australia. The new combination is expected to put the continent on the tourism map.

According to Associate Professor Ian Patterson of the University of Queensland tourism academic, a new generation of tourists look for a more interactive experience. The interaction is being provided in most of Asia's theme parks. As a result, he said, "People are not going to travel so much out to Australia. There's much closer theme parks for them."

Singapore has a new multi-billion-dollar Resorts World theme park which includes a Universal Studios component, six hotels, and the world's largest aquarium. Malaysia will soon have a new Legoland, while the region is gearing up for a third Disneyland.

The parks have whimsical, fantasy city states landscapes making these a choice for Asia's growing middle class who want a brief escape from the city life. These massive recreational facilities would also be an attraction for Australians.

In order to keep up with the competition, the Sea World-Warner Village parks have three new attractions worth $6 million each in the planning board. New attractions are also being planned for Dreamworld in Melbourne.

Dreamworld boss Noel Dempsey said, "I think fear, speed and thrills never go out of fashion ... but if you can complement that with some attractions that engage customers, get them involved, get them moving, where there's possibly a skill-based element to it, I think the complement of the two is sort of where we're at at the moment."