The Goulburn gaming arcade with total ‘Stranger Things’ vibes
Forget the giant Merino, Goulburn has a new attraction – and if my calculations are correct: “When this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you’re gonna see some serious sh*t!”
Back to the Arcade – a new retro gaming centre on Sports Way, Goulburn – is Gen X’s dream come true.
The arcade’s collection of ‘Star Wars’ memorabilia is incredible.
More than 1300 square metres of pure fun, including 40 arcade games , six lanes of mini bowling (¾ regulation size), laser tag and a karaoke room. It’s sure to take you back to the days of roller rinks, hubba bubba and coins jingling in your pocket – or if you’re under 20 – it has the ultimate Stranger Things vibes.
Owner Greg Appleton is obsessed with all things 1980s. Pictured at the arcade’s first birthday party.
“It’s definitely a throwback to those that grew up with the arcades,” says Back the Arcade owner Greg Appleton
“And the young kids love it because it has bowling and laser tag and we have so much in one location.”
Greg, a former public servant for the Office of the Sheriff, is the brains (and the heart) behind the retro-themed arcade and decided to share his hobby when his shed started to become overrun with gaming machines.
“He collected machines for a long time and had a build-up happening at home, he decided to open them up to the public and that’s when he started the first Back to the Arcade,” BTTA manager Krystal said.
The arcade features a licensed café – perfect for cracking a cold one while watching your friends battle it out in air hockey. The venue also includes three spacious party rooms and can host kids and adults parties and work functions. The arcade’s collection of Star Wars games, props and memorabilia will impress even the most hardcore Star Warriors. For the Boomers, the Rocky and Bullwinkle pinball machine is a blast from the past.
Back to the Arcade is already a hub for events, hosting trivia nights and cosplay events. The cosplay event on the weekend included Darth Vader as a judge (aka a dedicated member of the 501st Legion: a group of Canberra region Star Wars fans who dress in elaborate costumes from the movies).
Cosplayers from across the region come together at monthly events.
Kingpin is great but if you’re looking for something outside the box these school holidays we reckon a day trip to Goulburn to Back to the Arcade will be well worth the drive.
Back to the Arcade, 1 Sports Way, Goulburn (located at the rear of the Workers Club Arena @ 135 Hume Street). Open Friday 12 noon-10pm, Saturday 10am–10pm and Sunday 10am-4pm. Entry is free.
About the Author: Holly Winchester
Part Jennifer Coolidge, part Jennifer Garner (gaudy and geeky), Holly idolises Dolly Parton and Princess Di and loves NRL. When she's not creating killer content, you’ll find Holly at the Maccas drive thru getting her chai latte fix or buying 1990s memorabilia for the walls of her Googong home. Specialist subject: the Woolies carpark.
