The Australian Reptile Park

30 (26) Australian Reptile Park

The Australian Reptile Park just hisses with excitement after a free shortway trip north of Sydney.

• Home of ERIC, Australia's most loved crocodile!
• Home also to many Australian cuddly MAMMALS such as the unique platypus, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, dingoes and of course friendly hand-fed kangaroos.
• Some of Australia's largest REPTILES, such as MASSIVE American alligators, GIANT tortoises and HUGE pythons live at the Park.
• Photograph keepsakes of koalas or large python are available.
• Nestled in tranquil bushland with trickling streams meandering over lazy waterfalls, Australian trees exuding exquisite bush fragrances, the calls from a multitude of heavenly birds and the amazing beauty of Australian wildflowers await any local or international tourist who wishes to be enchanted!
• Enter the mouth of a 20 metre long crocodile to view the mystical Lost World of Reptiles exhibit.
• See giant animatronic models of some of Australia’s deadliest spiders in Spider World.
• The Hard Croc Cafe serving great food, hot and cold.
• The Australiana gift shop with many Aussie products for sale.
• Full BBQ Facilities on-site.
  

Day tours are available with AAT Kings and Gray line and you could also 'pop-in' on the way to the Hunter Valley and Port Stephen's (see below). Well worth the visit to 'experience a zoo with a big difference'.

The Australian Reptile Park

[thank you to the Australian Reptile Park for allowing us reproduce part of their website]

That's the official - now here is the unofficial version:

Old Sydney Town

The Australian Reptile Park resides on, or at least close by, the site of the Old Sydney Town theme park about an hours drive out of Sydney. If you look closely on your way out you should see some of the old buildings / facades and picnic areas. The drive itself is excellent if you haven't done it before and aren't stuck in a traffic jam. The road has been cut deep into the earth and Hawkesbury River looks spectacular. The Australian Reptile Park is sign posted from the Freeway by a giant dinosaur billboard and a large thrilly Priscilla Queen of the Desert Lizard (not a drag queen) adorns the entrance. This made for a big, and slightly scary introduction for my two year old which was soon offset by a cartoon sign for Eric the Crocodile. The slightly scary but very family friendly theme seemed to continue for rest of the morning.

Family Friendly Reptile Show

On the one hand we listened to tales (Reptile show 11am) of kookaburra taking out eyes and rattle snakes eating cowboys. There is the largest collection of Alligators I've ever seen, crocs, spiders, snakes, lizards etc The family friendly is evidenced by a spacious picnic area with pet friendly emus and kangaroos and excellent children's park nearby.

Cassowary Enclosure

Of the exhibits I'd rate the Cassowary enclosure (even though I didn't actually see a Cassowary - nice spot if you do), the friendliest and fastest moving wombat I've ever seen and weirdest turtle I've ever seen re the Alligator turtle. Now I think that's three 'ever seens' which is pretty good for one day.The environment in the park is relaxed and laid back which may well rub off on the residents. It is a good day out.

What's wrong with the Australian Reptile Park

To fill in a few holes / stand on a soapbox:

Cassowaries are rare and endangered so if the Reptile Park is looking after theirs properly and not forcing them on show then I applaud them. If they were 'on holiday' can I have my money back please. Don't we have enough snakes in Australia. Rattle snakes maybe more crowd pleasing but surely not necessary. The sign did say Australian Reptile Park. Secondly, the talk was too repetitive we 'got it' that animals are dangerous the first half a dozen times.

Finally, it is a jungle out there and zoos are competing with each other. The Reptile Park could offer some water based tours such a trip on Alligator Lake. Come on guys, apply your imagination and the people will come. Taronga has its sky safari (which is funny actually as you see a lot of roofs but not too many animals - another story) the Australian Reptile Park could have a white-water reptilian safari. Hell its only money.