Dodgem cars, the Funhouse and the Hangover rides are back to brighten the city’s seaside nightlife. 

For nearly 30 years, carnival operator Emile Verfurth and his family have brought their rides to Warrnambool. 

“I just like the place, it’s like our second home,” Mr Verfurth said. 

The Geelong-based family spends just six weeks at home each year and take their rides as far away as Cairns. 

His children, who have also joined the family business, will be the fifth generation to bring the amusements to country shows and towns. 

For the next month beside Pertobe Road they keep the rides going and the prizes stocked. 

Bungees, jumping castles and flight simulators are being prepared ahead of this week’s opening. 

The operator was unmoved by concerns of a tourist drop-off this year, saying he saw more caravans than ever on the roads to the south-west. 

“The caravan parks will be booked out and many of them will probably wander over,” he said.

This year’s carnival has been fenced, but Mr Verfurth said the event would remain easily accessible. 

“The fences are up but there’s going to be four or five gates,” he said. 

“It’s a family event — it’s a lot cheaper than the agricultural shows because we’re here all month.”