By Garry Howe
The first stage of Gumbuya’s transformation from a Park to a World is complete.
Guests started streaming through the gates of Australia’s newest theme park on Monday 18 December.
Gumbuya World is the vision of a group of local entrepreneurs – Gerry Ryan, Wal Pisciotta, Adam Campbell, Brett Murray and brothers Ray and Ron Weinzierl.
They have invested $50 million into the first stage of a major reimagining of the iconic Tynong venue.
The first stage utilises 40 acres of the 430 acre site and takes in the Oasis Springs water park, a Wildlife Trail, an Outback Explorers site with a Pirate Ship ride and bumper cars and the Oz Adventure zone with a roller coaster and tree swing.
The second phase will roll out mid next year to include an Indigenous cultural centre, a Walking with Dinosaurs exhibit, a 400-seat auditorium and other new rides and attractions.
Eventually Gumbuya World will also house an eco-resort, a retail village, a chocolate factory and micro-brewery.
Media representatives were given a tour of the new facility last Thursday by business director Ron Weinzierl, ahead of Monday’s opening.
“What we are doing here is something special,” Mr Weinzierl said.
A golden pheasant enclosure at the entrance provides an immediate link to the past.
Gumbuya Park was established in 1978 on a former pheasant farm, the vision of Standard Roads boss Ron Rado, and a huge golden pheasant statue fronting the old Princes Highway entry point has been a landmark feature ever since.
Visitors then head towards a fountain and then choose to fan off into one of the four entertainment zones.
The syndicate acquired the park in September 2016 and shut it down in July this year to start the massive rebuild, which has involved a lot of local contractors.
“The contractors have done a great job,” Mr Weinzierl said.
The staff has increased from 24 at the old Gumbuya Park to 150 at the opening of Gumbuya World and the vision is to provide 500 jobs within five years.
Wildlife manager Emily Paterson of Gembrook has worked at Gumbuya for six years and is thrilled to be a part of the new venue.
“The changes are fantastic, we are all really excited,” she said.
“We have some incredible new enclosures and exhibits.”
Tooradin’s Melanie Mantel is a senior animal keeper, having come from the Melbourne Aquarium.
“They haven’t done anything in halves,” she said.
“We can’t wait to get the guests in so they can enjoy all the work that has been done.”
