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Closed since late last year, Canberra’s Big Splash Waterpark has been broken into by urban explorers whose videos are gaining attention on social media channels.

The popular Belconnen attraction closed in late 2024 after posting that its waterslides needed maintenance.

A since-deleted post advised the waterpark would be open again for the Christmas holidays - although that did not transpire and the attraction is now in a state of disrepair with algae in its pools, slides rusting and overgrowing vegetation across th site.

Despite clear signage and warnings against trespassing, urban explorers have broken into the waterpark to view its state. A video was posted on the raincloudexplore TikTok account on 31st March showing the state of the still unopened waterpark and pool, titled ‘Abandoned/vacant waterpark Canberra’.

The description in the video states: Everyone in Canberra knows this place. Its future is uncertain, but by the state it’s in, I’d say it’s not good. Very odd feeling coming here again #abandonedplaces #abandoned #urbex #canberra #urbexaustralia.

The video has been viewed on TikTok more than 17,000 times, receiving hundreds of likes and shares.

The video was also shared on the Canberra Notice Board Group Facebook page, where it has attracted hundreds of likes.

As the trend of urban exploration, or ‘urbex’, gains popularity on apps like TikTok, Big Splash has become a prime target on multiple social media platforms.

The ‘urbex australia’ hashtag on TikTok has thousands of videos with millions of likes, displaying breaking and entering of properties with instances of vandalism.

Big Splash Waterpark’s future is currently uncertain. Its Facebook page is now longer active and searches default to the Canberra Notice Board Group Facebook.

Image: Inside the closed Big Splash Waterpark. Credit: Instagram.com/raincloud_explore

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