State takes on Gold Coast after Victoria mega theme park revealed
Forget the Gold Coast, Victoria has stacks of theme parks to keep the kids entertained all year round — with even more on the cards.
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Victoria has the Gold Coast sliding down the rankings for white water fun, with scores of theme parks to keep thrillseekers cool over coming summers.
Here’s are some of the state’s top water, adventure, theme and fun parks.
SurfnPlay Aqua Park
Melburnians could have an all-new surf break by 2024 under new plans to build a state-of-the-art water park in the city’s southeast.
Dingley Village is set to have the largest indoor-outdoor venue of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The $100 million park would incorporate new technology from Canada — generating waves up to 1.8m every 10 seconds in a beach-style pool.
A permit to start construction is currently awaiting approval from Kingston City Council after recent green lights from VicRoads and Melbourne Water.
If approved, the development will have 1.82ha of indoor pools and recreation, as well as about 1.3ha outside — including the new beach.
Thrillseekers can also experience an indoor flowrider wave with room for four surfers at once, water-jet powered slides that propel visitors uphill and video-game-like tunnel rides where kids can try for high-scores.
Kryal Castle
Victoria’s very own medieval castle will continue building almost 200 Tudor village-style camping and caravan sites after winning a legal joust.
Ballarat’s Kryal Castle received a permit from the Moorabool Shire Council in 2019 and had begun building 60 camping and caravan sites, about 600 car parks and small buildings for camp amenities.
After a 2020 application to expand the number of campsites by 131, a review was sought by Keith and Sue Parry who argued a cultural heritage management plan would be required under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
But the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled against the review.
The heritage attraction will continue to build the village, allowing greater numbers of families and school groups to visit.
It would hold a maximum of roughly 760 people and primarily accommodate people visiting the castle.
Luna Park
Dubbed Melbourne’s most iconic tourist destination, Luna Park is a family favourite that fails to disappoint.
There is a wide range of rides and attractions for people of all ages to enjoy.
The famous Great Scenic Railway is the oldest operating roller coaster in the Southern Hemisphere and the second-oldest in the world.
Other fan-favourites include the Ghost Train – one of the few original dark rides left in the world – and dodgem cars.
Located next to St Kilda beach and a foreshore of restaurants and cafes, Luna Park is always a great day out for the whole family.
It is open from 11am on weekends and during school holidays and public holidays.
A Maze’N Things
Phillip Island’s very own family attraction will provide hours of fun, magic and adventure.
Filled with optical illusions, puzzles, magic, mazes and mini golf, A Maze’N Things is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.
It is home to Magic Manor with interactive displays, astounding illusions, mysterious caves, a time machine and magic rabbits.
There is also a Giant 3D Maze and 19-hole mini golf course.
Bellarine Chocolaterie
Geelong chocoholics are in for a treat, with plans unveiled to open a massive chocolate estate on the Bellarine Peninsula.
A planning application lodged with the City of Greater Geelong revealed the bid to build a chocolaterie, restaurant-slash-cafe, 12 farm stay cabins, children’s farm, berry gardens and an apple orchard on a 234,000sq m plot of land on Point Richards Rd on the western outskirts of Portarlington.
The major development plans, lodged by planners for The Bellarine Chocolate Co, will transform the heritage-overlay covered site of the former Lincoln’s Farm House by building a series of new structures, while also refurbishing the former dairy building and undertaking ‘generous’ revegetation works.
Adventure Park
The state’s biggest water theme park is located in Wallington, Geelong, just an hour out of the city.
Adventure Park offers a total of 24 rides and attractions for visitors.
Victoria’s first triple funnel water slide, the Tsunami, was built at the park in 2019.
The $4 million water slide sits at an incredible 7.5 storeys high and will be sure to leave families soaked and stoked.
The monster park also has a heart pumping aqua racer water slide that reaches speeds of up to 40km, a kids water splash zone, lazy river rapids, a classic Ferris Wheel and a Crazy Coaster.
The park is currently closed for winter but will reopen in November for summer.
Boneo Discovery Park
Located on the Mornington Peninsula, the park is set on 27 acres of wetlands.
There is a beautiful showcase of the area’s indigenous flora and fauna, including many species of frogs, reptiles and water birds.
For a more relaxing and mindful experience, the park offers activities such as yoga, meditation and nature crafts.
There are also rides and mini golf to keep the youngsters entertained all day.
The park has a jam-packed calendar of popular events including WinterGlow, New Year’s Eve, Autumn Fest and an annual Sand Sculpting exhibition.
It is open every weekend from 10am to 5pm and is an hour and a half drive from the city.
Fairy Park
Once upon a time in 1959 dreamers opened a fairytale and fantasy playground, establishing Australia’s first themed park.
Visitors can experience the park’s magic, set among beautiful gardens, castles, caves and cottages.
Explore Camelot Playground’s secret passages and dark tunnels in this unique medieval playground.
Located in Anakie, it is a little over an hour drive from Melbourne’s CBD.
The park is great for youngsters of all ages and it is recommended that visitors set aside two to three hours for exploring.
It will reopen on September 3 after a winter hiatus.
Gumbuya World
Families can spend a full day of fun and adventure at this gigantic park, home to water slides, wildlife and rides.
Get up close and personal with adorable animals including koalas, kangaroos, dingoes and pythons.
The park is also home to a massive heated family wave pool.
Located in Garfield, it is just under an hour south east of Melbourne.
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