The sun was out and families descended on Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld on Wednesday morning, but this was far from the normal scene of happy holiday memories.
Shocked locals came in a steady stream to place floral tributes outside the popular tourist destination after an horrific accident on Tuesday afternoon which killed four people.
Parents with children of all ages and adults making an unscheduled stop on their way to work walked past a large media pack as Dreamworld itself sat silent and closed.
Flowers, handwritten notes, a teddy bear were all placed on a wall outside the park's main entrance.
Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd also laid a bouquet on behalf of the police after his morning press conference, updating reporters on the seemingly inexplicable incident on the Thunder River Rapids ride.
Local resident Michael Jones, who came with his son to honour those who died, has been coming to Dreamworld since he was a child.
He described the rapids ride as family friendly and was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.
"People should be out here having fun today, not mourning the loss of four people we shouldn't have lost," Mr Jones said.
Coomera resident Peter Kennedy, wife Alexandra and 17-month-old daughter Isabella were also among those to pay their respects.
Mr Kennedy said the ride in question was one of his family's favourites.
"It was always the first ride we'd go to," he said.
"I certainly will (go back to Dreamworld). I might be a bit more hesitant to go on rides given what's happened here."
