When we were invited to Gumbuya World over summer I jumped at the chance before even asking the kids what they thought. An instant wash of nostalgia swept over me, and I was transported back to my childhood where Gumbuya Park and its giant pheasant seemed to feature in a multitude of road trip memories. “Gumbuya Park, where the city meets the country …” Do you remember the ad?
Gumbuya World is situated in Tynong North and was originally a pheasant farm before becoming a wildlife park in 1978. In 2016 it was purchased by a number of Victorian businessmen (including the owners of Jayco and Carsales.com) who, with a $50 million budget, redeveloped the park into what has become one of the best theme parks in the state.
A Day at Gumbuya World Melbourne with Kids
Table of Contents
Gumbuya World Experiences
The new, redeveloped Gumbuya World is divided into four different experiences, each providing a different experience: Wildlife Trail, the Oz Adventure, the Outback Explorers and, Oasis Springs.
Wildlife Trail
The Wildlife Trail has always been a part of the Gumbuya experience, but the new improved Gumbuya World has leveled the experience up with new and improved enclosures for the native animals.
The Wildlife Trail is a bushland setting which is home to 52 different species of animals. It is super clean, spacious and shady, and includes a wallaby trail, a koala and dingo exhibit, a huge walk through aviary, a reptile cave, wombat area and a petting zoo.
Throughout out the day we note numerous keeper talks and you can also choose an animal encounter for an additional fee.
Oz Adventures
If getting wet isn’t your thing but you still want a little adrenaline provoking fun, Oz Adventure is your world. It features roller coasters, tree swings, trackless train (not so much adrenaline producing, but fun for the kids), Rush Hour and shortly, the Woolshed!
Rides
Mining Race Coaster (ages 5+ )
Rush Hour (ages 6+)
Tree Swing (ages 8+)
Rebel (ages 14+)
Outback Explorers
The Outback Explorers word has been developed for smaller kids. It includes the Berry Twirl, Pirate Ship, Desert Derby Dodgem Cars and Truck Convoy all at the right size.
I would say this area is suitable for kids up to around 10 years of age so was a little too small for Sunshine and Striker.
Rides
Berry Twirl (ages 2 – 4)
Gerry’s Roadhouse (ages 2 – 4)
Outback Pursuit (ages 2 – 10)
Desert Derby (ages 5+)
Outback Pirates (ages 5 – 8)
Kids Playground (All ages*)
Ray’s Express (All ages*)
* Recommended age only. Minimum height restrictions take precedence over age.
Oasis Springs
In summer, Oasis Spring is the place to head as it is the waterpark area featuring the 180-metre Taipan Waterslide, the Boomerango Waterslide, the 300 metre Lazy River cruise, Surfs Up wave simulator, a Wave pool, and Typhoon island which is an interactive jungle gym.
The rock pools are heated and shallow, perfect for the younger kids and there are a number of cabanas spread across the space for hire.
Oasis Springs is the best water park east of Melbourne!
Rides
Boomerango (age: 8+ )
Taipan (age: 8+ )
Surfs Up (age: 8+ )
Typhoon Island (age: All ages* )
Lazy River and Rapids (age: 5+ )
Rock Pools (age: 5+ )
Cabana
If you are looking for the ultimate day of relaxation where the kids wander off to explore and you have time to catch up on the new novel you bought a few weeks ago, but you don’t want too much sun and would prefer that others couldn’t really see you, then the Cabana option is going to be something you delight in.
The cabanas aren’t cheap at almost $200.00 for the day BUT they have a fridge, a fan, privacy screening which also acts as a shade cloth, and comfy couches. Now that I have experienced a cabana I don’t think I could ever go back to the regular deck chairs ….but the price means we will go LESS so I can afford it!
What it did mean was no waiting to change, we just drew the privacy screening and changed in our cabana. The fan kept me cool AND I had a short siesta when Tee took the kids to the wave pool. Serious luxury!
The only improvement would be a phone so you could order room service!!!!
Animal Experiences
There are a range of animal experiences that guests can enjoy each day – both free and additional add ons.
Ranger Talks
There are regular ranger talks throughout the day where you can learn about the specific animal and ask questions. The ranger talks are free. Check the times as you enter the park so you can plan your day accordingly.
Close up experiences
Guests can book close up experiences with a range of Gumbuya World animals including Macaws, Pythons, Koalas, Dingo, Wombat. There is a fee attached to the experience ranging from $25.00 – $29.00 per person. You can book online or take your chances on the day and book (although you run the risk of missing out!)
Ultimate Wildlife Experiences
The experience takes you one on one with most of the animals at Gumbuya World. You will meet a koala, pat a python, cuddle a dingo, hand-feed kangaroos, meet the big birds, take a picture with the macaws and learn a whole lot as you are chaperoned around the park by one of the wildlife rangers.
The Ultimate Wildlife Experience at Gumbuya World lasts for 90 minutes, is restricted to only 8 guests and currently costs $99.00 per person.
Wildlife Walkabout
The Wildlife Walkabout Experience takes you around the world with one of the Gumbuya World qualified rangers.
The Wildlife Walkabout Experience at Gumbuya World lasts for at least an hour and is restricted to 15 guests. It costs $20.00 per person.
Junior Ranger Experience
This is a three hour affair where children agre 8+ can become Junior Rangers and work alongside one of the Rangers helping to feed and look after the animals at Gumbuya World. The kids will feed koalas, meet dingoes and the fabulous macaws, go back of house in the Critter Cave to get up close to our reptiles, and so much more!
The Junior Ranger Experience includes access to Gumbuya World for the day, as well as lunch. I think Sunshine is a little disappointed that I didn’t book her in to this!
Gumbuya World tickets
For most visitors, a day ticket is the best option. A family ticket is currently $175.00 which provides unlimited access to all four worlds for the whole day.
There is an additional cost for the fastpass, any of the Animal Experiences, the Surfs Up surfing water ride and the Cabanas.
Discount Tickets
The price for Gumbuya World for a family is likely to make it a special occasion trip, however I have noted that there are often some discounted tickets available at different times. We’ve found:
Klook Tickets are cheaper. Click here for the deal (it is an affiliate)
RACV and NRMA offer a discount for members.
Opening Hours
Gumbuya World is open throughout the Victorian School Holidays and then on weekends during the school term. Opening time is generally 10.00 am and we recommend arriving at this time so you snag a good spot for the day.
You can check opening times here.
Food at Gumbuya World
Gumbuya World has a strict policy prohibiting guests from bringing food and drink onto the premises with the exception of water and fruit, and any dietary restrictions. This concerned us as typically this means that we are going to spend quite a large portion of our daily travel budget on food. We were surprised to find the food pricing reasonable.
For lunch we purchased hot dogs, hot chips, a pizza, drinks for around $50.00. Not exactly cheap, but not overly expensive either. You can choose to purchase from Rock Springs Cafe’, Outback Cafe’, Wal’s Fish & Chip Shop, Gumbo’s Snack Hut, Frozen Coke Kiosk.
Where is Gumbuya World?
Gumbuya World can be found on the Princes HIghway in Tynong. It’s pretty much where the country meets the city, just like the old jingle. The easiest way to get to Gumbuya World is by car and there is plenty of free parking.
Head to gumbuya.com.au for full details of the park.
So What Did the Kids Think?
Sunshine and Striker spent the majority of the time in the Oasis Springs World, dividing their time between the wave pool and Lazy River and Rapids. They tried the bigger slides once, and then enjoyed relaxing in their giant inflatables on the lazy river – no doubt from our road trip!
Gumbuya World, to me, is a place to head with a bunch of people especially when the kids are tweens/teens. They will have an amazing time and enjoy socialising in the water and at the other worlds.
Would we go back? Totally! The kids had an absolute ball and us adults even enjoyed ourselves. It was a great day out.
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