Granties Maze, near Kiama on the NSW South Coast, has introduced a world first attraction through the summer holidays, a two-metre-tall mechanical zebra.
Designed and manufactured in China by Zing Zong City Dinosaurs, the mechanical, remote control cost Granties Maze owner John Grant $13,000, money he feels is well spent.
Grant explains “we now have over 90 rides and attractions on site and have specialised in offering unique and unusual rides as a point of difference with other visitor sites.”
Impacted by Coronavirus closures during 2020, Grant reports that the recent January peak holiday season recorded “fantastic visitation, way up on 2020”, when the NSW South Coast was impacted by the bushfire crisis.
However, with February a quieter month for visitors, Grant acknowledges that the JobKeeper allowance has been vital to his business during the pandemic.
Grant, who, by his own admission, is a "stubborn bugger", developed Granties Maze over three decades in which he faced numerous planning battles with Kiama Municipal Council.
Inspired by attractions around the world, Grant saw the maze that he planted grown to maturity, then added his collection of attractions, with the mechanical zebra joining rides including an animatronic centipede, a ride-on robot elephant, plastic dinosaurs large and small, real-life farm animals and a semi-trailer hay ride.
As for the attraction’s ongoing growth, he notes “it's the same as Disneyland - Disneyland keeps adding new attractions.
"If you don't, people don't come back."
Image: The new mechanical zebra at Granties Maze. Credit: John Grant.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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