Glen Waverley’s Rainbow Town charges $38 entry fee for children

A new play centre in Glen Waverley has everything you could think of to keep your kids entertained — but parents have baulked at the “ridiculous” $38 entry fee. Here’s how the manager has justified the hefty cost.

Inside Rainbow Town play centre in Glen Waverley. Picture: Instagram/@rainbowtownplaycentre

A new play centre in Glen Waverley that is spruiked as the largest in Melbourne’s southeast has come under fire for its entry price — but has quickly been defended by its manager.

The first section of Rainbow Town opened last week, and features an indoor playground, ropes course, rock climbing wall, trampoline park and mini car track.

A second section with a high ropes and ninja-warrior course is due to open soon.

The centre is only open on weekends, and public and school holidays, but is looking to open on weekdays from next month.

It costs $38 per child to get in, and when the second section is open, will cost $48 per child for all-areas access.

The ninja area alone will cost $28 per child.

Outraged parents have flooded the centre’s Facebook page in response to its ticket prices.

One mum said the prices were “absolutely ridiculous”.

“No way would I pay nearly $150 for my three kids to go to a play centre … you are not a theme park,” she said.

While others likened the prices to a hot-air balloon ride and the cost of an annual zoo membership.

Another mum said: “I would have thought simpler and cheaper pricing would get people in the door, then it’s your opportunity to screw us on food and drink”.

But centre manager Parker Zhai defended the cost to get in.

“We are not too worried (with the pricing),” he said.

“The place is actually massive and children can play the whole day for that price.

“We don’t charge parents (to get in) and food and drink prices are reasonable.”

There are also special deals, including 20 per cent off tickets in June, and an extra 5 per cent off for booking online.

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He said they had looked to merge the play centre with “today’s technology” and wanted to introduce online payment for food and drinks, and a membership which would make it cheaper to visit.

Mr Zhai said the owners had two children and wanted a place for them to go on school holidays.

He said the centre, at 49-55 Myrtle St, Glen Waverley, was a few years in the making and cost “a lot of money” to build.