Bass Coast Mayor Brett Tessari, palaeontologist Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich, Museums Victoria’s
Tom Rich and Dinosaur Dreaming co-ordinator Lesley Kool inspect the future Gondwana Garden.
Tom Rich and Dinosaur Dreaming co-ordinator Lesley Kool inspect the future Gondwana Garden.
BASS Coast Shire Council has paid $1.2 million for land at 300 Graham Street Wonthaggi to create an interactive sound and light ‘Gondwana Garden’ as part of the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail
Councillors voted unanimously at Wednesday’s council meeting to adopt a master plan for the dinosaur trail as part of a plan to boost post-pandemic tourism.
Councillors voted unanimously at Wednesday’s council meeting to adopt a master plan for the dinosaur trail as part of a plan to boost post-pandemic tourism.
| They were effusive in their praise of a plan that they predict will help to transform the shire’s visitor economy, reducing the stress on Phillip Island by widening the tourism base to the mainland.The project will create diverse creative experiences at six sites, including San Remo, Kilcunda, Wonthaggi and Inverloch. The Gondwana Garden in Wonthaggi will feature sculptural forms and prehistoric planting, showcasing unique vegetation from 125 million years ago and the landscape that polar dinosaurs once inhabited. |  Download the report |
The Bass Coast is one of the most significant places in Australia for understanding dinosaur fossils.
The masterplan has been developed over the past 12 months in partnership with key government, business and community organisations. Key partners include the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Land Corporation, local scientists, Parks Victoria, Department of Environment Land Water and Planning, Destination Gippsland, Destination Phillip Island and Visit Victoria.
The masterplan has been developed over the past 12 months in partnership with key government, business and community organisations. Key partners include the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Land Corporation, local scientists, Parks Victoria, Department of Environment Land Water and Planning, Destination Gippsland, Destination Phillip Island and Visit Victoria.
I’m excited to see the inclusion of creative proposition such as nature play and sculpture, augmented reality and virtual experience. It will trigger the imaginations of the young and the young at heart. It’’s been really great to work with the community, to see the insight and their concerns about the integrity of the spaces … This is going to be fantastic. This project started with a palaeontologist, Mike Cleeland from the island, coming in to the council chamber one day with a whole lot of very strange looking rocks - dinosaur teeth etcetera. On his second visit we'd had a change of personnel and our new CEO saw the potential. Being peripherally involved with opalised dinosaur fossicking in Lightning Ridge, I can say this will be an absolute boon for the shire. Dinosaurs light up the imagination and bring not only the adults in but the kids just love it. | Bass Coast Shire CEO Ali Wastie said the project would provide the region with a new world-class visitor experience. “The pandemic has shown us that we need to develop long-term tourism experiences. The Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail will protect the environmental values of our region while catering for increased visitation demand and changing visitor uses. “It will provide a platform to renew local infrastructure improving local amenity and accessibility.” Ms Wastie said the project honoured the rich Bunurong culture, built on the work of volunteers over the past 40 years, and celebrated the work of scientists. The council expects to begin further planning and community engagement for the Gondwana Garden in the first half of 2022. |
On the trail of the dinosaurs
Aug 18, 2021 - 'Hero' dinosaurs, a Gondwana garden, virtual reality fossil hunts, light shows and sculptures are part of the vision for Bass Coast's Dinosaurs Trail.
Aug 18, 2021 - 'Hero' dinosaurs, a Gondwana garden, virtual reality fossil hunts, light shows and sculptures are part of the vision for Bass Coast's Dinosaurs Trail.