{"id":337023,"date":"2025-12-09T11:17:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T11:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/337023\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T11:17:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T11:17:11","slug":"gumerachas-big-rocking-horse-is-getting-an-adorable-new-neighbour-as-the-giant-koala-arrives-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/337023\/","title":{"rendered":"Gumeracha’s Big Rocking Horse is getting an adorable new neighbour, as the Giant Koala arrives this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Images: The Big Rocking Horse<\/p>\n

As you and I both know, South Australia is home to a lot of big things. We\u2019ve got the Big Galah in Kimba, the Big Kangaroo in Border Village, the Big Lobster in Kingston SE, the Big Orange in Berri, and the list goes on (so much so that we\u2019ve got a guide for it<\/a>). But there\u2019s one notoriously big thing that brings tourists to the Adelaide Hills from far and wide. <\/p>\n

The Big Rocking Horse is a South Australian icon. Located at a wildlife park of the same name in Gumeracha, this week, they\u2019ve revealed a new, and of course, very big, addition coming to the park, celebrating the furry friends and wildlife that call the spot home. <\/p>\n

So now, Gumeracha is not just home to the Big Rocking Horse, but also a very cute, very cuddly\u2026 Big Koala!<\/p>\n

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The new addition has been a dream for owner Mell Eren. \u201cWhen we built the mini golf in August 2024, we were looking at things to put at each hole. We came across a company in Queensland who do all the theme parks up there. We got a quote for some mini golf items and thought, \u2018No, we can\u2019t afford that\u2019, so we left it. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut then we saw this koala, and I said, \u2018It\u2019s a dream of mine to get this koala and put it in the park,\u2019 because we\u2019ll never have real-life koalas here. So let\u2019s get something where people can come and have a photo and create memories, because life to us is all about creating memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

After spending some time saving, Mell and her team finally pulled the trigger on the giant koala and are now preparing as it makes its way down from Queensland.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s expected to arrive before Christmas, and just in time for the Big Rocking Horse\u2019s 44th birthday, Mell says they\u2019re planning on putting their new 9-foot-tall Koala in the animal park. \u201cIt\u2019ll be in the animal park. So when people say, \u2018Have you got koalas in the park?\u2019 we\u2019re going to say, \u2018Yeah, we\u2019ve got one!\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

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The new Koala will be joining a variety of native animals, including red and grey kangaroos, Bennett\u2019s wallabies, swamp wallabies, tamar wallabies and emus. But more importantly, it will be another fun addition to what Mell and her family envision for the park. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur passion is keeping it affordable. Coming to the park is a family-friendly day out where you can bring a picnic if you don\u2019t want to buy from the cafe, or you can just see the animals or climb the horse. For around $20 you get a whole day out.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband and I used to come here as children. Then we brought our children. Now we\u2019ve got grandchildren, and we bring them too. What we want is for this park to be around for at least another 50 years to come. It turns 44 on December 11th. And that\u2019s actually the day the koala might arrive in the park, we\u2019re still waiting to see when the installation will happen. So it\u2019s pretty special, the Big Rocking Horse\u2019s 44th birthday gets a koala,\u201d said Mell. <\/p>\n

So keep an eye out for The Big Rocking Horse\u2019s socials this summer, as they\u2019ll be sharing updates on their latest addition to the park! <\/p>\n

The Big Rocking Horse
When: 7 days a week, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Where: The Big Rocking Horse, 452 Torrens Valley Road, Gumeracha, South Australia, 5233.
For more information, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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