Gumbuya World
Gumbuya World (formerly Gumbuya Park) is an amusement park in Tynong North, Victoria, near Pakenham, in Victoria, Australia. The park is owned by Jayco, Inc Australia founder and owner Gerry Ryan and Carsales.com owner Wal Pisciotta since September 2016.
 Gumbuya World logo | |
| Slogan | "Have A Great Day Out" |
|---|---|
| Location | Tynong North, Victoria, Australia |
| Coordinates | 38.069185°S 145.658643°E |
| Owner | Gerry Ryan, Wal Pisciotta, Ray Weinzierl, Adam Campbell and Brett Murray |
| Opened | 1978 |
| Previous names | Gumbuya Park |
| Operating season | All year round |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 7 |
| Roller coasters | 1 |
| Water rides | 5 (two slides, lazy river, water playground) |
| Website | gumbuya |
The park contains various rides and attractions ranging from water slides to roller coasters and wildlife exhibits. Its two major waterslides are the Boomerango and the Taipan. The park also features a lazy river ride, giant water playground, wave simulator, fun-for-all roller coaster, tree swing, train ride, dodgem cars, and a berry twirl ride for young children. There is also an exhibit featuring dingoes, lizards, crocodiles, koalas, aviaries and wallabies which incorporates a petting zoo.
History
Originally a pheasant farm, the facility was converted into a wildlife park in 1978 by the late[1] Ron Rado.[2][3]
In October 2011, vandals attached a powerful explosive charge to the large pheasant statue at the entrance to the park and blew out its rear end. That followed earlier vandalism, including the theft of mini cars and motor karts.[4][5][6]
In September 2016 Gumbuya Park was sold for $4.65 million[7] to a group of investors which included Gerry Ryan and Carsales.com founder Wal Pisciotta, Adam Campbell, Brett Murray, and Ray and Ron Weinzierl to buy the park and upgrade it into a more ambitious Theme Park.[3][8][9]
Attractions
Gumbuya World is divided into 4 sections; Oasis Springs, Outback Explorers, Oz Adventure and Wildlife Trail.
Oasis Springs
Cabanas , Boomerango waterslide, Surfs Up (wave simulator), Taipan waterslide (180-metre dark slide), The Lazy River: 300-metre river cruise, Typhoon Island: interactive jungle gym with giant water bucket
Oz Adventure
Mining Race Coaster: roller coaster, Rush Hour, Tree Swing, Trackless Train (takes visitors through Gumbuya World),
Outback Explorers
Berry Twirl, Outback Pirates ship, Desert Derby dodgem cars, Truck Convoy (leads to Gerry’s Roadhouse),
Wildlife Trail
Koala and Dingo exhibit, Walkthrough Aviary and Wallaby trail, Critter Cave (featuring insects, lizards and baby crocodiles), Petting Zoo, 52 species of different animals in a bushland setting.
References
- "Ron's road to success". Star News Group. 15 March 2007. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- "Gumbaya Park". Only Melbourne. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- Gumbuya Park to Make a $4 Million Comeback, by Tacey Rychter, 15 September 2016, Broadsheet Media
- Murnane, Matt (26 October 2011). "Man arrested over Gumbuya Park pheasant explosion". The Age. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- Collins, John T (1984), Tynong "Gumbuya Park", Princes Highway, retrieved 29 April 2017, ...Shows large statue of pheasant at tourist attraction...
- Bird, Frank (2005), Conservation analysis report : Gumbuya Park Big Pheasant, retrieved 29 April 2017
- "BRW rich-lister to revive Gumbuya Park with accommodation". Financial Review. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- Ballantyne, Adrian (14 September 2016). "Gumbuya Park ready for good times after $4.65m sale". Commercial News. realestate.com.au. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- Bailey, Megan (15 December 2017). "Revamped Gumbuya Park, Tynong North, opens". Herald Sun. Retrieved 16 April 2018.