The first weekend we were in Australia we went up to the Central Coast and drove past the Australian Reptile Park. Ever since then I have wanted to take the kids.
However, my interest waned for a short period when I heard that it was home to all sorts of spiders and snakes. Then I heard or read an advert about the Park needing more rednecks in order to create anti-venom. At that point, I did not want to visit. I knew it would still be very valuable for the kids to go but I hate spiders, I wasn’t keen to go at all.
In the week before the last school holidays we finally took a trip up to the Australian Reptile Park and I’m pleased to report it was so so much more than spiders and snakes.
The amount of spiders are limited and while there are reptiles and a lot of snakes on display there are other less creepy animals to see! Best of all, you get to touch some of the animals and get into really close proximity.
The Australian Reptile Park at the Central Coast is home to all the native Australian Animals you would expect and then some non-natives too.
Top Tip: Check the Australian Reptile Park website the day before you go so you know what time the shows or talks are on so that you get there in time. The times differ between seasons and weekend and weekdays You can do this by looking at their website.
Before going any further, I just want to make mention of the fact that there have been other facilities we have been to in order to see animals which are not good enough to be included on this site. Some of the places we have visited have not treated their animals well either in terms of enclosures, space or living environment. When that happens you won’t see a post or any photos on any of the AllThingsMomSydney social media channels because I will not support somewhere that does not promote the wellbeing of those animals. That stands for animal parks, zoos or farms.
In this post, the following topics are covered:
- Australian Reptile Park Features (the animals are just one part).
- Conservation and Information.
- Australian Reptile Park Facilities.
- How to see everything – a plan to follow around the park to make the most of your time.
- Logistics including what to take and wear.
- Opening hours and Ticket Prices.
The kids, granny and I spent 2 and a half hours at the Park. The bulk of which time was spent mulling around the park, meeting the animals but the kids spent at least 45 minutes playing in the playground before I told them we had to go home.
I think if we’d been dressed warmer and had more food on hand, we could have spent much longer there. Also, it would have helped if we had arrived earlier in the morning and not at midday.
Australian Reptile Park Features
The Australian Reptile Park has a reputation for being where the spiders are milked for anti-venom. But that is just one of the positives outcomes of the Park. There are other programs in place and there is the hands on animal aspect too. At the heart of it, there is a sense of wanting to teach people about being respectful to animals and how to conserve all animals.
Seeing the animals is just part of the experience. It’s in a beautiful natural setting and there is a magic magic playground.
The Animals
The Park is really hands on!!
Taking the kids out to see Australian animals is one thing, letting them touch those animals is whole different experience. And for my mom who is not accustomed to Australian animals at all, it was great that she got to too.
The kids and I got to touch very gently:
- Kangaroos, by the dozen.
- Hugo the Galapagos Tortoise. He is really beautiful and they were so interested by the feeling of his shell and his soft but very wrinkly back legs.
- A cuddly koala.
Australian Animals
Australian Reptile Park is home to the most amazing little Platypus! He is so cool. We spent ages watching him eating a prawn or something and then rolling around in his makeshift waterfall.
The Park is also home to the grumpiest crocodile, apparently. Poor Elvis. Maybe he just has a bad rap. He didn’t look like the grumpiest we’ve met but they’re never really happy looking either, are they.
Of course there are koalas and kangaroos but there are also Tasmanian devils, echidnas and quokkas too.
Other animals
Galapagos Tortoises
I’ve always wanted to see the Galapagos Tortoises. Although I had seen one or two at a zoo, it’s always been from a distance and you really can’t judge scale from that distance.
I think Hugo one of the Galapagos Tortoises was one of the highlights of the park for me. Watching him come out of his pen and mission over to his lettuce was so sweet. He is so beautiful and to be able to stroke him with my kids was just such a memorable experience.
What lies beneath…
As you walk in you’ll see this large lake or dam. It’s beautiful and serene. But when you look closer you’ll see that it’s actually populated by alligators. It’s such a good lesson in being careful about where you swim. Just because it looks clear…
The snakes
Truthfully I hate snakes. I won’t even wear jewellery with a snake on it! But it’s quite something to see these mammoth snakes. And even the brown snake that you hear about so often in Australia.
There are some incredible snakes and lizards and even a chameleon. We were lucky enough to be there for feeding and it was so interesting. My son was mesmerised by the snakes, lizards and chameleon eating their crickets.
I had never seen a king cobra until we visited and it was weaving away. More active than any other snake I’ve ever seen.
The weird ones we didn’t even know existed…
There were some really strange animals that I have never seen anywhere else on our adventures. To be honest I didn’t even know that these animals existed:
- Numbat – not numnut. My mum and I were so utterly convinced that this was a made up animal we had to google it.
- Alligator Snapping Turtle. This has to be on of the ugliest creatures I have ever laid eyes on.
- The Dunnart, a tiny little mouse like creature who was going crazy running round and round.
The playground
There is a wonderful playground at the Park. As soon as my daughter spotted it, all she wanted to do was go investigate it. It really is a stunning feature.
The playground is a huge frame with slides and bridges. There is a basket swing, shapes to balance on and a big see-saw.
It’s all on asphalt with wood chips over so even though my daughter tripped a few times she managed to get up with a smile every time.
Conservation and Information
There are loads of hands on staff members.
We also met a reptile keeper who was so knowledgable about the gorgeous Galapagos Tortoises that it was just a pleasure to listen to him talk and learn from him.
If you’re interested in the Venom program or want to know whether you should keep a reptile and what you need to know before even looking at getting one, I encourage you to read through their website. There is so much good information!
Conservation
“At the current rate of decline, koalas are on track to become completely extinct by 2050. Koala numbers have plummeted by a third in the 20 years between 1990 and 2010.”
Australian Reptile Park
There are 38 koalas at the Australian Reptile Park and thanks to their very carefully overseen breeding program, 7 baby koalas were born this year!
The park also contributes to Aussie Ark, a not for profit organisation dedicated to creating a long-term future for threatened Australian species and promotes the Komodo Dragon Crowd funding.
Australian Reptile Park Facilities
The facilities at the Australian Reptile Park as fantastic.
Accessibility
The whole facility is wheelchair friendly and accessible for everyone. I watched an elderly lady who was in a wheelchair stroking a kangaroo, it’s so special that she could be involved with her family.
Picnic and BBQ Facilities
One of my friends told me to pack a picnic. I didn’t listen and I really regret it. While there is a cafe on the grounds there is so much space to sit and have a picnic or even a BBQ that you’re crazy not to.
Just be very careful if you’re picnicking in the open Kangaroo area, the Kangaroos are very interested in picnic food and picnic baskets!! They will come over and stick their noses into your food and may even try bowl you over to get some.
There are plenty of BBQ facilities and they’re really nice and well kept. It must be so much having a BBQ up there with all the animals.
Bathrooms
There are bathrooms at the entrance, at the reception area and then also beyond the cafe, next to the frogs.
There are baby change facilities in the family bathroom too.
How to see everything
First up, make sure you grab a map or two from reception.
Secondly, identify the whereabouts of the playground on your map an then stay away from the playground until the end of your visit. Once your child has it in their sights you won’t get anywhere.
Thirdly, check what time the talks, walks and shows are on. You should check this out before you visit so that you get to the Park on time but if you haven’t (like I didn’t) then do this now. Make sure you know what you want to see and when it is so that you can get back to where you need to be.
Fourthly, start or end with the Lost World of Reptiles and the snakes. They’re up at the top between reception and Elvis the Croc.
Fifthly, head down into the open area to walk with the kangaroos.
From the Kangaroos you can walk around to the different pens with the tortoises, Tasmanian Devils, the turtles, echidnas and quokkas.
Next head up to the koalas.
From the koalas go up to the lookout and the walk along the alligator infested waters and up to the nocturnal animals. They are really really cute.
Head back towards the koalas and veer off towards the cassowaries, this will lead you around behind the dingos and out into the open area again. At this point your kids will no doubt have seen the playground and you only have the dingos to look at in the bottom section.
Now hit the playground. Try have your picnic here because at least this way you can have some down time while the kids play.
Lastly, just before the kids are completely worn out from the playground head over to see Elvis and Frog house. There are only three frogs to see so it’s really quick but cute.
Logistics
What to wear
Boots! Or closed walking shoes. There are a lot of uneven surfaces and a lot of poo.
It’s very shaded and cold up there with all the beautiful trees and the water running all over the place.
We visited in the height of winter, probably not smart, but we had to wear boots, jackets, beanies and buffs. I left my beanie in the car and could only find a spiderman one in my bag so I walked around wearing that and constantly wondering why people were smirking at me.
What you need to take with
- Pack a picnic!!
- Take wipes, the kids are going to touch everything!
- Hand-santizer.
- Drinks and water bottles.
- A camera, of course.
Opening Times and Tickets
Opening Hours
The Park is open 7 days a week, except Christmas and is open from 9am to 5PM.
Tickets
| Admission | General | Annual |
| Adult | $39 | $119 |
| Child (3 – 15 years) | $21 | $60 |
| Senior (60+) | $29 | $85 |
| Family Pass (2 adults, 2 kids) | $105 | $315 |
| Single (1 adult, 2 kids) | $75 | $225 |
| Extra Child on family pass | $15 | $49 |
Children under 3 are free!
