What happened to the Lake Cullulleraine water park?

Photo Credit - Bushman's Rest Caravan Park

If you’ve been wondering whatever happened to the proposed inflatable water park at Lake Cullulleraine — you’re not alone. It was one of those ideas that just made sense for the lake: more reasons to stop, stay, and give local families (and visitors passing through the region) another proper “summer holiday” option.

Here’s the timeline, in plain English.

The big announcement (and why people got excited)

Back in 2024, the plan was for Lake Cullulleraine to become home to Tropical North Victoria’s first floating inflatable water park, the kind with slides, splash pools and a trampoline-style section out on the water. It was talked up as a genuine tourism drawcard and a boost for local businesses and the caravan parks at the lake, with an opening window around January 2025 and a big Australia Day long weekend moment, then running through the warmer months.

Then the operator pulled out — and it was shelved for 2024/25

In January 2025, it was reported that the operator advised Mildura Rural City Council they wouldn’t be proceeding, even though an agreement was in place. Council had already been working through approvals and safety requirements (including a Life Saving Victoria risk assessment), but the project didn’t go ahead for that 2024/25 summer season. 

Council’s message at the time: “we still want to make it happen”

The key point from council messaging back then was that the idea wasn’t being abandoned forever.... it was more a case of “not this summer, but we’re still committed to getting it up eventually.” 

Locally, the expectation became: okay… so maybe next season — with talk that council would keep working to make it happen for 2025/26.

But heading through 2025/26… it still hasn’t happened

And that’s the frustrating part for locals and regular lake visitors: despite the earlier commitment to keep working on it, the inflatable water park still hasn’t materialised at Lake Cullulleraine.

Over to you, Cullulleraine locals

If you’ve heard anything official about a new operator, a revised plan, or a fresh timeline — flick me a message or drop it in the comments. If there’s an update to share, I’ll run it as soon as it’s confirmed.

Because honestly… an inflatable water park out at Lake Cullulleraine still feels like a winner for the Millewa.