A Vekoma Boomerang rollercoaster originally built for the Brisbane World Expo in 1988 has set sail for a new home.

The $5m steel coaster is heading for the Visionland Amusement Park in Bessemer, Alabama, which involves a voyage across the Pacific, through the Panama Canal and on to New Orleans, followed by a trip aboard a convoy of trucks to its new site.

Assembly is expected to begin in February and Visionland has set a projected opening date of 30 April 2005. A special contest to choose a name for it will also be held in February.

In its operational state the 50mph ride is 1,000ft long, has a highest point of 125ft, features three backward and three forward loops and generates a G-force of 5.5. It has a single train with seven cars and seats for 28 riders.

Visionland, south west of Birmingham, Al., is a two-park complex, with admission options for either Splash Beach or the Magic Adventure Theme Park or a combination admission for both.