Large $18m Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail from Inverloch to San Remo expected to support more than 400 job opportunities

A massive $18m dinosaur trail with six sites spanning across San Remo to Inverloch is expected to create more than 400 jobs and provide a prehistoric adventure.

Visual plans for the $18m first phase of the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail have been revealed. Picture: Bass Coast Shire Council

An $18m dinosaur trail with gardens, sculptures and a world-class adventure playground spanning across the Bass Coast will create more than 400 jobs for Victorians.

The Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail will feature six sites including San Remo, Kilcunda, Wonthaggi, The Caves, Eagles Nest and Inverloch as part of the first phase.

A digital overlay also shows an impression of what the prehistoric trail would look like when construction is complete.

Providing a narrative of discovery and exploration, the visual plans display how the project will use sophisticated technology, including sensors, LED lighting, full body tracking, immersive 3D animation, audiovisual interaction, and a digital field guide.

Cape Woolamai man Graham Jolly said the trail would be an incredible addition to the Bass Coast environment.

The Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail will span across San Remo to Inverloch. Picture: Bass Coast Shire Council

“Mike Cleeland lives on Phillip Island and is trying to get tourism down here to promote the dinosaur trail,” Mr Jolly said.

“I truly appreciate the work he’s done to try and get this pushed along.”

Surf Beach local John Trigt agreed and said it would benefit the community.

Mayor Michael Whelan said the Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail interacted with the state government’s Yallock Bulluk Access and Infrastructure Plan and would allow visitors to experience first-hand the incredible history that existed in the region.

“Never before has there been such an exciting and unique tourism experience in regional Victoria that captures our prehistoric dinosaurs, which date back more than 125 million years,” Mr Whelan said.

He said the project would be a “game-changer” for an area already known for its nature-based attractions.

“Not only will this project be a unique addition to our tourism offerings, but it will support more than 400 jobs and significantly contribute to local tourism and expenditure in the region,” Mr Whelan said.

Mayor Michael Whelan said there had never been such an exciting and unique tourism experience in the area. Picture: Bass Coast Shire Council

“Estimates show that opening visitor sites in 2026 would increase annual tourist numbers by up to 20 per cent, with forecasts of new visitation of almost 100,000 people a year by 2035, which will make a significant impact on our local economy.”

Dinosaur Dreaming dig co-ordinator Lesley Kool said the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail would be a “tourism boon” for the region and a welcome learning tool for generations to come.

“The Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail is an incredible opportunity to put this impressive history on a global stage and acknowledge the dedicated research that has happened here for the past four decades,” she said.

The project will require high level funding support and council is investigating partnership opportunities to assist in bringing the attraction to life.

The Inverloch Cultural Discovery Centre is also being planned as part of the second phase of the project.

What the six sites feature

• At the San Remo site of the trail, there will be a time machine sculpture that replicates DNA 25 billion times larger than life. An ever-widening valley, once home to polar dinosaurs, will be viewed from a spiral staircase that separates Australia and Antarctica.

• Kilcunda will feature a village green gathering place with a life-size dinosaur inspired fence, upgraded amenities including shelters, beach showers and barbecues.

• Located on Graham St, Wonthaggi, the Gondwana Garden will take visitors on a journey from the beginning of Gondwanaland to its separation into continents and islands.

• Eagles Nest will provide an auditory adventure for all — the site of Australia’s first dinosaur fossil discovery. Visitors will be transported to the Cretaceous period through immersive musical compositions and compelling poetry.

• Visitors will learn about real-life dinosaur hunters through animated characters voiced by scientists in a Pocket Paleontologists interactive at The Caves site.

• At the end of the trail in Inverloch will be a Dino Hunters Playground, which is a combination of an adventure playground, an art installation, an outdoor learning space and a hands-on exhibition.