Dr Jerry Schwartz opens a new water park at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley with wife Debbie and children Dane, Amber and Lara.

Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley has expanded its family-friendly resort facilities, opening a new on-site heated water park to further bolster its activity range for kids of all ages.

The new Water Splash Park, opened this week, was designed and built by White Water Australia and features a variety of slides, flutes and water cannons, including the ‘Happy Berry Bucket’ which releases 1,200 litres of water every eight minutes.

The two-storey water park features a striking pink and purple colour scheme and joins the resort’s existing range of family activities, including a mini-train, carousel, tug boat, pony rides and the Water Dragons Kids Club – part of the new Hunter Valley Kids Cottage.

The water park’s core clientele try out the new facility’s ‘Happy Berry Bucket’.

True to the green credentials of resort owner, Dr Jerry Schwartz, the water pumped through the water park is heated by the environmentally-friendly Cogen plant which also heats the resort’s main pool. Dr Schwartz said the new water park capped off a range of activities which would set up the Hunter Valley as an ideal family destination for years to come.

“The Hunter Valley has perhaps been seen more as a destination for adults wanting to go to wineries, play golf or attend conferences, but we’ve transformed the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley into a resort for both discerning adults and children,” said Dr Schwartz.

“The missing ingredient in the resort’s inventory was a water park, and I’m pleased to say this has really added something substantial to the Hunter Valley’s tourism attractions.”

The Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is one of the region’s largest and most popular holiday resorts.

General Manager, Mark Winterton, said the 414-room Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley was now a one-stop destination for families.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Dr Schwartz as our partner as he constantly looks for ways to support and enhance the resort.

“With this new addition I feel confident that the resort will make the Hunter Valley an even more attractive destination for families.”