TOURIST attraction experts Sanderson Group has been appointed to oversee the Kryal Castle redevelopment.
Owners Castle Tourism and Entertainment hope it will re-establish the medieval-themed Warrenheip castle as a major tourism drawcard, hosting functions, weddings and special events.
Click to view Kryal Castle over the years
The first stages to open in the coming months will include accommodation rooms, the Castle Suites, along with function and event centres such as Tyrants Tavern and the Knights Round Table Tower.
The larger educational, interactive Medieval Castle — Adventure and Theme Park will launch at a later date.
The castle was bought in December last year by a consortium of Australian and international investors, including Ballarat publican Gary Browning, after an earlier sale contract with a Melbourne businessman fell through.
Castle Tourism and Entertainment director Erin Joyce said this week the Sanderson Group had more than 23 years’ experience in designing and building high-quality, themed tourist attractions, including the recently opened Universal Studios in Singapore.
“We are committed to the redevelopment of Kryal Castle as an iconic and unique adventure and theme park, accommodation, function and special event venue,” Ms Joyce said.
“It will be very entertaining and deliver a high-quality tourism product for the region and the state.”
Ms Joyce said further investment would result in the masterplan’s stages two and three being carried out, including more themed accommodation outside the castle walls and “white knuckle” type rides.
Kryal Castle was last week named on the Austrade and Tourism Australia Australian Tourism Investment Guide.
It led to an on-air verbal stoush between ABC radio host Jon Faine and Ballarat Regional Tourism chairman Stuart Benjamin after Mr Faine questioned its inclusion on the list due to previous rumours the castle could become a brothel.
