Edge of abyss for thrill of a ride

A ride on the Abyss will challenge the bravest of thrillseekers.

Adventure World gave the roller-coaster a test run this week ahead of its official opening on November 1.

The cart was surrounded by darkness as it began to wind up and down and around corners.

Riders spent much of the journey upside down, with countless twists and turns around the track.

Anticipation built on the 30m climb to the roller-coaster's peak as the vertical incline left riders feeling as though they would fall out of their seats.

The inverted track on the drop that followed set the exhilarating pace for the rest of the ride, which sent the coaster on a series of bends and loops.

For Gerstlauer service technician Martin Daxle, the experience made all his hard work worth it. "I have worked on roller-coasters for the past 26 years and I love my job," he said.

Mr Daxle and his team have worked on the Abyss seven days a week for seven weeks.

Adventure World chief executive Mark Shaw was one of the first to ride the Abyss.

He felt scared but not of the ride itself. "My only fear was whether it was going to live up to expectations, and it did," he said.

Mr Shaw said once the finishing touches were completed, the track would be encased in complete blackness for the first part of the ride, adding to the thrill.