Auckland dad built backyard roller coaster during lockdown; now selling it for NZ$4,500
An Auckland father is selling a custom-built backyard roller coaster he constructed for his children during the COVID-19 lockdown. After years of use, the family is listing the ride for NZ$4,500 as the children have outgrown it and the surrounding trees have created safety concerns.
Why it matters
The story highlights the intersection of DIY culture, pandemic-era hobbies, and the creative repurposing of residential spaces, while illustrating the lifecycle of unique home-built projects.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, while most people were busy making dalgona coffee and baking banana bread, a father in Auckland was watching other people's backyard roller coasters on YouTube. Then he did what most of us never do after a video binge. He built one! That's right.Bjorn Burton built a roller coaster in his backyard. He started from scratch. He drew the plan, recruited his own dad for weekend labour, and turned a kids' playhouse into a working ride that snakes through the trees. Not a whisk in sight!All thanks to YouTubeIt was lockdown, so, like many others, Bjorn Burton also had a lot of time on his hands. He was on a binge-watch when he came across some backyard roller coaster videos. While most viewers would watch in surprise, admire them and go back to dinner, Burton decided to build one.He picked up a pencil.
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