Special Features

Babbacombe Model Village has acquired a rare ‘Dinosaur' conifer.

This specimen of the Wollemi Pine is undoubtedly Great-Great Grandfather to all the conifers that can be seen at the Model Village and elsewhere.

The Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species belonging to a 200million-year-old plant family. It was known from fossil records and presumed extinct until it was discovered in 1994 by a bush walker in the Wollemi National Park just outside Australia's largest city, Sydney. Dubbed the botanical find of the century, the Wollemi Pine is now the focus of extensive research to conserve this ancient species.

"The discovery of the Wollemi Pine is the equivalent of finding a small dinosaur still alive on earth"

Professor Carrick chambers. Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney, Australia.

A young Wollemi Pine is now on display at the model village, come and find out more!