Gumbuya World (formerly Gumbuya Park) is an amusement park in Tynong North in Victoria, Australia. The park was opened in 1978 and its investors include Gerry Ryan (founder and owner of Jayco Australia) and Wal Pisciotta (owner of Carsales).

Gumbuya World
Previously known as Gumbuya Park
LocationTynong North, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates38°04′09″S 145°39′31″E / 38.069185°S 145.658643°E / -38.069185; 145.658643
Opened1978; 46 years ago (1978)
OwnerGerry Ryan
Wal Pisciotta
Ray Weinzierl
Adam Campbell
Brett Murray
Slogan"Have A Great Day Out"
Operating seasonAll year round
Attractions
Total23
Roller coasters3
Water rides12 (eight slides, lazy river, water playground, wave pool)
Websitegumbuya.com.au

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, suspended family coaster, thrilling skyloop 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

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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 founder Wal Pisciotta, Adam Campbell, Brett Murray, and Ray Weinzierl to buy the park and upgrade it into a more ambitious Theme Park.[3][8][9]

Rides and attractions

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Thrill level
  None (stationary attraction- show, play area, exhibit)
  Mild (low speeds with expected movements)
  Moderate (moderate speed with unexpected movements & physical forces)
  High (high speeds with extremely unusual and stressful physical forces)
Name Type Thrill Level Manufacturer Opened
Oasis Springs
Boomerango Boomerango WaterSlide High White Water West 2017
Taipan Rattler/Constrictor fusion High White Water West 2017
Red Belly Racer Multi-lane racer High ProSlide 2019
Tiger Snake Tango Turbo-Twister High ProSlide 2019
The Break Wave Pool Mild ProSlide 2019
Surf's Up Flow rider High Wave Loch 2017
Typhoon Island Kids play area & body slides Mild White Water West 2017
Lazy River Wave River Mild White Water West 2017
Cabanas Cabanas None Gumbuya World 2019
Name Type Thrill Level Manufacturer Opened
Oz Adventure
Project Zero Skyloop High Maurer 2022
TNT Suspended family coaster Moderate Vekoma 2022
Mining Race Coaster Fun-for all coaster Moderate SBF Visa 2017
Rebel KMG Inversion High KMG Rides 2018
Tree Swing Wave Swinger Moderate Unknown 2017
Rush Hour Spinning ride Moderate Unknown 2017

Outback Explorers

  • Berry Twirl
  • Outback Pirates ship
  • Desert Derby dodgem cars
  • Truck Convoy (leads to Gerry's Roadhouse)
  • Ray's Express (takes visitors through Gumbuya World)
  • Outback Pursuit

Wildlife Trail

  • Koala and Dingo exhibit
  • Walkthrough Aviary and Wallaby trail
  • Critter Cave (featuring insects, lizards and baby crocodiles)
  • Petting Zoo

The area contains 52 species of different animals in a bushland setting.

References

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  1. ^ "Ron's road to success". Star News Group. 15 March 2007. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  2. ^ "Gumbuya World: Theme Park". Only Melbourne. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b Rychter, Tacey (15 September 2016). "Gumbuya Park to Make a $4 Million Comeback". Broadsheet. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  4. ^ Murnane, Matt (26 October 2011). "Man arrested over Gumbuya Park pheasant explosion". The Age. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  5. ^ Collins, John T (1984), Tynong "Gumbuya Park", Princes Highway, retrieved 29 April 2017, ...Shows large statue of pheasant at tourist attraction...
  6. ^ Bird, Frank (2005), Conservation analysis report : Gumbuya Park Big Pheasant, retrieved 29 April 2017
  7. ^ Schlesinger, Larry (13 September 2013). "BRW rich-lister to revive Gumbuya Park with accommodation". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  8. ^ Ballantyne, Adrian (14 September 2016). "Gumbuya Park ready for good times after $4.65m sale". Commercial News. realestate.com.au. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  9. ^ Bailey, Megan (15 December 2017). "Revamped Gumbuya Park, Tynong North, opens". Herald Sun. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
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