Gumbuya World
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).
| Previously known as Gumbuya Park | |
 Gumbuya World logo | |
| Location | Tynong North, Victoria, Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38.069185°S 145.658643°E |
| Opened | 1978 |
| Owner | Gerry Ryan Wal Pisciotta Ray Weinzierl Adam Campbell Brett Murray |
| Slogan | "Have A Great Day Out" |
| Operating season | All year round |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 23 |
| Roller coasters | 3 |
| Water rides | 12 (eight slides, lazy river, water playground, wave pool) |
| 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, suspened family coaster, thilling 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
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
| 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
- "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
- 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". Australian 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.