Dreamworld tragedy: Coroner inspects re-enactment of fatal raft ride accident

A coroner believes the investigation into the deaths of four people on a Dreamworld water ride could take months, but is hopeful of holding an inquest next year.

Coroner James McDougall joined detectives at the Gold Coast theme park today for a re-enactment of last week's tragedy on the Thunder River Rapids Ride.

Mr McDougall said the re-enactment, which involved the use of weighted crash test dummies in one of the ride's rafts, gave him an insight into the crash.

"It was all very complicated," he said.

"The investigation is going extremely well.

"It will take a long time ... months, I'd say."

Sydney-based New Zealand mother Cindy Low, ACT mother Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozbeh Araghi died when their raft on the ride flipped last Tuesday.

Their bodies were released to their families for burial yesterday following post-mortem examinations.

Dreamworld remains closed to visitors, but about 200 Dreamworld staff returned to work yesterday.

Park chief executive Craig Davidson said he has yet to be notified when investigations would be complete or when the park could be opened to the public.

“At this point there is no time frame or decision,” he said.

Mr Davidson said all staff will be paid while the park remains closed.

Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk said the tragedy would remain in people's minds for a long time.

"I want to ensure that everything that can be done will be done to assist those people and those families who witnessed this horrific event," she said.