The 14-hectare Mount Helen park has a brand new attraction, a full size animatronic Triceratops created by park owner Paul Sperber.

The Triceratops' eyes, tail and tongue and head all move creating a decidedly lifelike effect.

The new attraction will compliment the existing dinosaurs at the park, with plans for many more to come.

The park has already built a baby Triceratops and an Archaeopteryx (a bird based on the first dinosaur bird fossil ever found)

Co-owner Lisa Sperber said the new attraction will compliment the existing dinosaurs at the park, with plans for many more to come.

"Paul's working on a small T-rex and at the moment and we've got plans for a whole range of dinosaurs to come," Mrs Sperber said.

"This has all been about five years in the planning. We knew that Creswick dinosaur park closed down many years ago and we were always keen to add something different away from the birds

"We've also got plans for a fossil dig and skeleton bones and other things as well."

The 14 acre site was purchased in 1974 by Paul and Joan Sperber.

With the help of their two sons, Paul and Edward, aged 14 and 12 at the time, and Joan's brother Bob, a plan was put in place to build a bird sanctuary that they could open to the public to showcase a variety of Australian birds.

What started out as a hobby turned into a lifetime passion for the family. Paul Junior, his wife Lisa, and son Daniel now run the park while Paul Senior is still around to talk to people and take them in to see his beautiful black cockatoos.

Ballarat Bird World is at 408 Eddy Avenue Mount Helen and is open Friday through to Monday and public holidays (except Christmas Day). Entry is $15 or $12 concession.

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