Massive camping park coming to Kryal Castle after legal joust ends
Roughly 200 camping sites will be built at Kryal Castle after a legal joust was won by the medieval attraction.
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Kryal Castle will continue building almost 200 Tudor village-style camping and caravan sites, after it won a legal joust.
The heritage attraction received a permit from the Moorabool Shire Council in 2019 and had begun building 60 camping and caravan sites, about 600 carparks and small buildings for camp amenities.
However, after a 2020 application to expand the number of camp sites 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.
“Significant” work has already begun on the initial 60 sites, but a plan would be necesary if the development were deemed a “high-impact activity”.
However, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has ruled, because the proposal is for the same purpose for which the land was legally being used before May 28, 2007, it does not constitute a high impact activity and no such plan is required.
In giving evidence, owner Mark Hinkley explained the camp outside the castle, to be named Kryal Castle Tudor Village, would retain the medieval theming of the broader attraction and allow greater numbers of families and school groups to visit.
The village would hold a maximum of roughly 760 people and primarily accommodate people visiting the castle.
The capacity of Kryal Castle as a whole is about 5000.
Former owner Joyce Ryall, who started the business with her late husband Keith in 1974, said camping had always occurred at the site, both in and outside the grounds.
“All through its operation, visitors have, from time-to-time, stayed at Kryal Castle,” the VCAT ruling stated.
“Mrs Ryall’s evidence was that this commonly occurred throughout her time managing the Castle, by people setting up caravans in the carpark and grounds outside of the Castle walls.
“She said that this occurred with permission and guests would, upon request, be allowed to use the shower and toilet facilities inside the Castle walls within their single entry fee.
“Camping also occurred on the Castle grounds, particularly when multi-day events were conducted.”
Almost everyone who stayed at Kryal Castle also visited other tourist attractions in the area, such as Sovereign Hill, Mrs Ryall told the hearing.
In addition to camping, since the 1990s there has been formal accommodation provided within the Castle walls and there are about 28 private rooms and two dormitory rooms on-site.
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