The Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld has opened it gates to the public for the first time since four people were killed on the Thunder River Rapids ride six weeks ago.

Key points: Dreamworld reopens to the public six weeks after four people die on a ride

Dreamworld reopens to the public six weeks after four people die on a ride Theme park CEO says safety is top priority

Theme park CEO says safety is top priority Government awaiting theme park safety audit results

But visitor numbers were well down on the theme park's usual summer Saturday attendance figures.

A spokeswoman said that by 11:30am, 1,200 people had entered Dreamworld, with another 700 people at the adjacent WhiteWater World site.

The park had been closed since October 25 when two women and two men died when their raft collided with another near a large conveyor belt at the end of the ride.

Dreamworld is using the reopening as a charity weekend to raise money for the families of the ride victims, Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Ruzbeh Aragi.

Roozbeh Araghi (L), Luke Dorsett, Kate Goodchild, and Cindy Low (R) died on the Thunder River Rapids ride. ( Supplied: Facebook )

Shortly after the gates reopened, Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson told a media conference staff at the theme park were delighted to get back to work.

He said safety remained their top priority as several independent safety audits continued on several rides at the theme park.

"Every single attraction open today has been passed by an unprecedented multi-level safety review encompassing Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, their audit of the park, Dreamworld's internal engineering review, Pitt & Sherry's independent review and the external peer review by UK-based theme park safety specialists LTC," he said.

"This methodical multi-level safety review of all park attractions is ongoing and will not be rushed.

"All of those rides that we will be operating have all been signed off through that three-tiered process."

Sorry, this video has expired Craig Davidson flanked by Tourism Minister Kate Jones (C) and Ardent Leisure CEO Deb Thomas (L).

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Wildlife areas, slides and pools at Dreamworld's adjoining facility WhiteWater World, a motorsport precinct and children's areas will be open, but the major rides are expected to reopen in coming weeks.

On Friday, Mr Davidson confirmed that "a number of the big nine thrill rides" still subject to the safety audit would not be operating.

"They'll be phased back in over the coming few weeks," he said.

The Thunder River Rapids Ride has been decommissioned and will be shielded from public view.

Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said the Dreamworld tragedy had deeply affected all of the city's residents.

"We all support this park so intensely because it's part of the fabric of our city," she said.

"I wish Dreamworld all the best for the future."

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said Dreamworld had endured a tough time.

"I want to acknowledge and thank all of the managers and staff at Dreamworld who have worked cooperatively with Queensland Government through the audit," she said.

"But today is a day of hope and moving forward. We know that Dreamworld supports more than 1,200 jobs in the Gold Coast economy.

"Dreamworld done a fantastic job in supporting these staff over past six weeks."

Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said on Friday that she was awaiting the release of the safety audit to assess whether changes need to be made to safety laws.

"I think it was a catalyst to have a good look, assure the public, maintain the public confidence," she said.

"Then if there's anything we need to change we will."

Safety audit identifies theme park issues

The fatalities occurred on the Thunder River Rapids ride. ( AAP: Dan Peled )

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Workplace Health and Safety officers have completed safety audits at Dreamworld, Movieworld, Wet'N'Wild, Sea World and White Water World on the Gold Coast and at Australia Zoo and Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast.

So far, only three of the theme parks have revealed their results.

Movieworld's 16 rides were cleared of safety issues.

The Aussie World audit identified four issues with managing chemicals and electrical equipment but did not flag any problems with rides.

Safety checks at Dreamworld found faults with two rides and two slides.

The BuzzSaw rollercoaster was shut down for problems including safety harness issues.

Seven improvement notices were issued for the Green Room Waterslide, Flowrider and Escape from Madagascar, although management said none related to guest safety.

In the days after the Dreamworld tragedy, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the audit of theme parks would consider if existing penalties were sufficient to act as deterrents, and whether they should contain provisions relating to gross negligence causing death.