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-owner / Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Nigel Benton is the co-owner and publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.
As of 2020, he has launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
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.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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