Special passengers aboard wagon trip
While perhaps not as iconic as the famous pheasant at the front gate, just like the concrete toboggans and bumper cars, the wagon ride was famous among park visitors.
Tony Hower was one of the original wagon drivers in those days. Tony has worked at the park for more than 25 years and is today the head of property services at ‘Gumbuya World’.
The old Massey Ferguson tractor with a carriage on the back that he first drove in the early 90s has been idle until this week. Tony was proud to be able to transport his grandchildren at the wagon’s rebirth on Tuesday. Since its relaunch in 2017, Gumbuya World has welcomed thousands of visitors attracted to its new range of rides, waterslides and redeveloped animal enclosures.
Gumbuya World’s owners have announced a major expansion which will see 50 new attractions introduced over the next three years.
The development will see the theme park’s water area “Oasis Springs” double in size with a wave pool and six new waterslides to be built.
Gumbuya World business director Ron Weinzierl said they had had the busiest summer thanks to the thousands of Victorians and tourists walking through our doors each day over the last few months.
“We’re looking forward to introducing an even bigger Oasis Springs in time for the spring school holidays this year.”
As well as the expanded waterpark, Gumbuya World will offer onsite accommodation in the form of a “glamping” eco resort, new cafes, shops, a chocolate factory and a microbrewery.
Mr Weinzierl says that another major focus will be construction of more animal enclosures and a redevelopment of the park’s “Nature Trail”.
The wagon ride will ferry visitors along the trail and as a nod to the park’s heritage, past some of the older, decommissioned rides.
By 2022, it is anticipated that Gumbuya World will attract a million visitors each year and with the expansion of facilities and the redevelopment of the nature trail, the park hopes to attract visitors from all around the world.