Sydney Day Trips: The Australian Reptile Park

The Australian Reptile Park is located on the Central Coast of NSW, about an hour north of Sydney. Established in 1948, the park is a privately owned attraction featuring native Australian wildlife and other exotic, international species. The Australian Reptile Park has won plenty of awards for excellence, including the 2016 Australasian Zoo Keeper of the Year. A perfect day trip from Sydney, there’s plenty to keep kids and adults occupied at the zoo!

Sydney Day Trips: The Australian Reptile Park

Meet Elvis, the cranky croc

Australia’s crankiest crocodile is the star of the show here at the Reptile Park. Elvis the crocodile came to the zoo from the Northern Territory where he was attacking fisherman’s boats. He’s also well-known for attacking a keeper’s lawnmower.

Catch the reptile show & hear about the venom project

An entertaining and educational way for kids to learn about reptiles. During the show visitors also learn about the venom milking project undertaken by the park (see below for more details). You’ll also find all 11 of the deadliest snakes in the world at the Reptile Park.

Watch a funnel-web spider milking

The Australian Reptile Park is the only zoo in Australia with a venom milking program in place. Over the past 50+ years the program has saved over 300 lives each year. The Australian Reptile Park is the sole supplier of a variety of venoms which are used for snake and funnel-web anti-venom in Australia. Watch a funnel-web spider being milked inside the Spider World exhibit.

Wander through interactive exhibits

The Lost World of Reptiles, Spider World, Frog Hollow and Platypus House are all very well designed exhibits, created to be fun and engaging for kids. Spider World, featuring Tarantula-ville, is home to some of the largest spiders in Australia!

Play in the animal-themed playground

The playground at the Australian Reptile Park is so unique that you’ll have a hard time reminding kids that there are animals to be seen as well! The main climbing structure is in the shape of a frilled-neck lizard.

Kids 2 Keeper program or VIP tour

Want to get super up close to the animals? Check out the options available on the Kids 2 Keeper programs or VIP tours. We did the Mini Kids 2 Keeper program for kids aged 3-6 and loved touching reptiles, patting a koala and going inside the Galapagos tortoise enclosure.

Get more info on our experience with the Kids 2 Keeper program here.

Meet Australian wildlife

Feed kangaroos, get up close to a koala, meet a wombat and play hide and seek with the ever-elusive platypus. The zoo is also home to Tasmanian devils, echidnas, wombats, cassowaries and dingos.

Say g’day to Hugo

Hugo the Galapagos tortoise arrived at the park in 1963 as a teenager. Now aged 67, he is a gentle giant and a favourite at the park. The Galapagos tortoise is classified as “vulnerable”on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Dance with the devil

Meet the iconic Tasmanian devil and learn about The Australian Reptile Park’s conservation project, Devil Ark.

Snap a selfie with a new furry friend

Snappy Hour, where visitors to the zoo can get their picture taken with the park’s scaly and furry animals, runs between 11am and 2pm daily.

Tips for visiting The Australian Reptile Park

Arrive early 
It’s a full day at the park, with a big schedule of events.

Prepare for the weather
That means sunscreen and hats, and I would advise close-in shoes.

BYO Food
There are free barbecue facilities in the picnic grounds or you can enjoy a picnic lunch from home.