Lake Cullulleraine will soon be home to the Sunraysia region's latest tourism drawcard, Tropical North Victoria's first floating inflatable water park.
Boasting features including water slides, splash pools and a trampoline, the large floating water park will be based on the water at Lake Cullulleraine, just metres from the Lake's two popular caravan parks.
Mildura Mayor Helen Healy said the new attraction would be a first for the region and serve as a major tourist drawcard.
"This really is an exciting and unique addition to our municipality's tourism offering, serving as a major economic driver for both the Cullulleraine community and the broader Sunraysia region," Cr Healy said.
"As the only attraction of its kind and scale within hundreds of kilometres, the water park will entice thousands of visitors from surrounding towns to what is already a popular holiday destination at Lake Cullulleraine.
"And given its point of difference, it will also draw locals from the broader Sunraysia region to experience the park, further enhancing the economic benefit for the close-knit Cullulleraine community."
Tranquil Waters Cullulleraine Caravan Park Manager Maureen Croft said hype around the new water park had already impacted positively on bookings for her business.
"This will be a fantastic addition and we've already had a lot of forward bookings based on people hearing about the water park," Ms Croft said.
The water park is set to open mid-January ahead of a grand opening on the popular Australia Day long weekend.
It will remain open throughout the first few months of 2025, taking in Sunraysia's huge Easter long weekend and school holiday period.
"By remaining open during this period, the water park will ensure the Cullulleraine community gets a bigger share of the massive influx of visitors to our region over the Easter holiday period," Mayor Healy said.
"This will extend the economic benefit Cullulleraine businesses normally enjoy during the Christmas/New Year period by several months."
Ms Croft said she was already seeing evidence of this in forward bookings.
"Christmas and New Year we're normally fully booked, as well as the Australia Day weekend, but we don't always have a lot of bookings in the period between those dates," she said.
"We've already had a lot more interest in this period since word of the water park started getting out there so it's already working and we're hoping that will continue."
Tickets to the water park will soon be on sale, representing an ideal Christmas gift in the lead up to the park opening in January.
