Australian Reptile Park
Australian Reptile Park
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Australian Reptile Park is the best family FUN day out! Exciting wildlife shows, loads of animal interaction and great customer service is what we are famous for! •Meet Elvis, the crankiest crocodile in Australia •Walk with Hugo, the giant 165kg Galapagos tortoise •See reptiles up-close and meet loads of cuddly Aussie animals •Professional photos with furry and scaly new friends •Venomous snake and funnel web spider milkings •Children's reptilian adventure playground •Animal Encounters - get up close and personal with our animals •Kids 2 Keeper junior zoo keeping workshops for kids 3-18yrs •Behind the Scenes tours •Hand feed friendly free-range kangaroos •Great value! •FREE parking, on-site café, picnic areas, free gas BBQ's Open : 9am - 5pm 364 days a year (closed Christmas day) Find us : 2 minutes off M1Freeway (Gosford exit), follow the signs
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
965 reviews
Excellent
578
Very good
290
Average
67
Poor
15
Terrible
15
480astridp
Swansea, Australia135 contributions
Jun 2020
We visited on a dreadfully wet day for our grandson's 4th birthday. He is mad keen on dinosaurs and this is where he wanted to go.
We made our way through the necessary COVID-19 checks and sanitising and went to look at the crocodiles whilst we waited for our tour to commence. Our personal tour guide was a most enthusiastic young man named Ambrose. He had just so much information to share and our grandson, whilst nervous about seeing big spiders and snakes up close, was mesmerised. Ambrose was a great guide, we patted koalas and the baby wombat (it was her first birthday the next day).
The rain didn't relent all morning. We would have stayed longer if it wasn't so wet.
The exhibits are spotlessly clean and well maintained. The reptiles were housed in an 'Indiana Jones' inspired display.
There are sculptures of dinosaurs throughout the picnic areas, which he just loved.
We made our way through the necessary COVID-19 checks and sanitising and went to look at the crocodiles whilst we waited for our tour to commence. Our personal tour guide was a most enthusiastic young man named Ambrose. He had just so much information to share and our grandson, whilst nervous about seeing big spiders and snakes up close, was mesmerised. Ambrose was a great guide, we patted koalas and the baby wombat (it was her first birthday the next day).
The rain didn't relent all morning. We would have stayed longer if it wasn't so wet.
The exhibits are spotlessly clean and well maintained. The reptiles were housed in an 'Indiana Jones' inspired display.
There are sculptures of dinosaurs throughout the picnic areas, which he just loved.
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katy775
Sydney, Australia19 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
The snake and spider talk in the main show area was our favourite thing about the day, as always. We've only ever seen Ranger Mick presenting before but the keeper today also did a great job, delivering an informative and humorous show.
Unlike our last two trips we were disappointed by the food. In the past we've enjoyed the simple but tasty chicken salad wraps but these weren't available today. Instead we settled for the sandwiches but the bread was really stale/dry and if the lines for food hadn't been so long we would have taken them back up and asked for our money back.
Unlike our last two trips we were disappointed by the food. In the past we've enjoyed the simple but tasty chicken salad wraps but these weren't available today. Instead we settled for the sandwiches but the bread was really stale/dry and if the lines for food hadn't been so long we would have taken them back up and asked for our money back.
Written April 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fiona525
3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Very expensive for everything, stale sandwich was $8, 10min wait to get served with 2 people that worked at the park in front of us, that obviously hadn't paid $100 to get in, in the cue. No crocodile show, no tortoise show, no laughs, it seems a lot different to all the times we have been before. We have been visitors for over 30yrs, and today just felt very expensive and the enclosures seemed very small. A lot of maintenance and cleaning happening in the reptile room so a lot of exhibits closed or empty. The kids playground had no shade so the slides were burning hot. Just overall dissapointing for such a high entry fee.
Written December 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janellesteve
Copacabana, Australia790 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
There are many animals well presented in an easy walking area. Buy tickets on line to save 10% plus ticket valud for admission for two months. One admission. I guess permits family delays poor weather on the day. Very fair.
Double cost of single admission is multi entry annual pass.We arrived 10am pre paid. Ushered straight in past probably 50 people queued to buy. Parking was 8-10 minute walk from front gate Lizard. Pity the rangers are not clear to hear . We visited sunny Easter Saturday. Amongst first after months of rain.
Bring you own lunch. Cafe queue is probably 30 minute wait. Tea coffee pie sausage roll hut sold like warm pies sausage rolls. $4 and $5.50 free sauce.Long queue for women's toilet. In all good value though would avoid weekend visis. Don't visit after rain or when raining grass walkways are mostly dirt bark chip.
Double cost of single admission is multi entry annual pass.We arrived 10am pre paid. Ushered straight in past probably 50 people queued to buy. Parking was 8-10 minute walk from front gate Lizard. Pity the rangers are not clear to hear . We visited sunny Easter Saturday. Amongst first after months of rain.
Bring you own lunch. Cafe queue is probably 30 minute wait. Tea coffee pie sausage roll hut sold like warm pies sausage rolls. $4 and $5.50 free sauce.Long queue for women's toilet. In all good value though would avoid weekend visis. Don't visit after rain or when raining grass walkways are mostly dirt bark chip.
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol W
Sydney, Australia160 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
My Mum and I had a fantastic day at the Australian reptile park today. It is easy to walk around the Park & we enjoyed seeing all the animals. As it was my birthday I liked having my photo taken with Fluffy the Snake & my Mum. Great place to celebrate my birthday. It is lovely that the Park is set in a bush setting and very relaxing. The park was clean & tidy. To do with covid19 there is plenty of hand sanitizer stations all around the park and signs to say how many people can go into the enclosures at one time. The animals and the keepers were pleased to see everyone that came today. We haven't been for some time & it was a great day out. Great to see the Australian reptile park reopened again. It was good to be back. Thank you.
Family with no Teenagers.
Family with no Teenagers.
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
damien
Berlin, Germany48 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Save some money and go to the Sydney zoo - it’s cheaper, much bigger and the animals are probably happier too.
This place is a very big disappointment. The “free range kangaroo area” feels as big as a soccer field with 6 animals all hiding away in the corner. Don’t buy the feed - with a tourist:kangaroo ration so high, they’re probably satiated after 10 minutes and then spend the rest of the day sleeping. The park overall is very very small and very commercial. The alligator feeding lasts 5 min tops and you can’t understand the keeper at all.
This place is a very big disappointment. The “free range kangaroo area” feels as big as a soccer field with 6 animals all hiding away in the corner. Don’t buy the feed - with a tourist:kangaroo ration so high, they’re probably satiated after 10 minutes and then spend the rest of the day sleeping. The park overall is very very small and very commercial. The alligator feeding lasts 5 min tops and you can’t understand the keeper at all.
Written January 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ngcroker
Sydney, Australia147 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We visited on a Sunday and it was not overcrowded the exhibitions where good the shows okay and easy for kids to view.
However the entrance price a bit expensive the gift shop very expensive and avoid the cafe as not much to choose from very overpriced you would be better to pack a picnic or they do have bbqs to use cheaper option for families.
They are doing good research work at the park but it does not encourage us to go back.
However the entrance price a bit expensive the gift shop very expensive and avoid the cafe as not much to choose from very overpriced you would be better to pack a picnic or they do have bbqs to use cheaper option for families.
They are doing good research work at the park but it does not encourage us to go back.
Written August 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DBL562
Somerset, UK105 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
We visited the reptile park and had mixed feelings on our experience. The anti venom programme they have is fantastic and we didn’t mind the higher costs to support this. The 11:00 talk was fantastic - the keeper made it really fun and interesting and the kids were fascinated by the different reptiles. We found Elvis’ enclosure to be too small. They advertise him as being the crankiest crocodile and we all felt a little sad for him. The alligators have loads of space and Elvis had hardly any. The keepers spent ages trying to wake him up and splash him just to make him move and it didn’t feel right. The inside snake enclosures also felt too small.
Written February 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul M
Sydney, Australia70 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
On the website it says it got the top award for 2023. Hard to believe. We went on a Thursday out of school holidays but there were quite a few people there. To begin with, the price. A family ticket is $150, much more than say Taronga Zoo. Photo opportunities with animals are $40 each. And cafe prices more expensive than going to the football, which is bad enough. So if you go as a family, expect to fork out at least $200, and bring your own lunch. The park itself is rather tired, and many of the animals are much the same way, if you manage to see them. Our grandchildren were ok with it but I’d have to say we were quite disappointed and wouldn’t recommend it.
Written July 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TopShop9999
London, UK53 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
To be honest we were disappointed with our visit.
First, it was very expensive (although I appreciate that the staff there do some important research work, and that the park receives no government funding or support). Nevertheless $40+ per head makes for a costly visit).
Second, there was little in the way of an educational experience. Unless your visit happened to coincide with one of the staff ‘talks’, which only happen twice a day, you’re pretty much left to your own devices.
Third, the animals seemed to be overfed and under stimulated. The poor old saltwater crocodile seemed to have been left by himself in a small concrete enclosure and might as well have been unconscious.
Also I should mention that if you make the trip, you should definitely bring your own food as the ‘Hard Croc Cafe’s’ offering is absolutely dreadful (as well as being expensive). I’d say it was the worst lunch I’ve eaten for a very long time. A poor quality supermarket brand pie was the high point (at a cost of about $7.50). Note; although the website says they serve vegan food all they actually have is a salad sandwich with butter!
First, it was very expensive (although I appreciate that the staff there do some important research work, and that the park receives no government funding or support). Nevertheless $40+ per head makes for a costly visit).
Second, there was little in the way of an educational experience. Unless your visit happened to coincide with one of the staff ‘talks’, which only happen twice a day, you’re pretty much left to your own devices.
Third, the animals seemed to be overfed and under stimulated. The poor old saltwater crocodile seemed to have been left by himself in a small concrete enclosure and might as well have been unconscious.
Also I should mention that if you make the trip, you should definitely bring your own food as the ‘Hard Croc Cafe’s’ offering is absolutely dreadful (as well as being expensive). I’d say it was the worst lunch I’ve eaten for a very long time. A poor quality supermarket brand pie was the high point (at a cost of about $7.50). Note; although the website says they serve vegan food all they actually have is a salad sandwich with butter!
Written March 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to hold a koala at your park?
Written February 9, 2020
Hi. I don’t work there but you can pay extra to have a huge python wrapped around you (we did this) or a KOALA. Yes :)
Written August 1, 2020
Is the food halal at the cafe , is there a menu on line
My son is autistic and picky with what he is , just wanted to know what’s available
Written December 7, 2019
Don’t know the answer because we didn’t try or eat at their Cafe
Written December 8, 2019
Kayla G
Jordan Springs, Australia
How much is it to get pics taken with the animals?
Thanks in advance
Written July 16, 2018
Hi Kayla, the photos are $25 each and you can have as many people in the photo as you like. We also have our "Snappy Pass" available which is $80 for 4 photos
Written February 8, 2019
Chris S
Umina Beach, Australia
What about the food in reptile Park...is there any options
Written July 6, 2018
HI Chris, we have an on site cafe with both hot and cold food options. We also have coffee, ice creams, snacks and cold drinks. You are also welcome to bring your own food and/or use our BBQs which are free of charge to use
Written February 8, 2019
Hi, we are visiting this weekend and the weather forecast isn't good. Is it still worth coming if it's raining? We have 2 small kids.
Written November 14, 2017
Hi Sarah, apologies for the delayed response. It looks like the weather held out for you on the weekend! As most of the park is outdoors, we recommend that people bring jackets as it can get quite cold up here as we are essentially on the top of a hill! We also have ponchos available for purchase if it begins to rain
If you did visit, we hope you all had a wonderful day!
Written November 20, 2017
Hi Jason, there are a few options:
- Catch a train to Gosford station then catch a taxi to the park. Upon presentation of taxi receipt, you will receive 25% off admissions
- Chartered tour bus from Sydney
- There is a public bus that drops passengers off about 20 minutes from the Park (Pile Rd, Somersby), however they only stop at that particular stop twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon
Hope to see you soon!
Written March 14, 2017
Hi Nicole, yes we have an on-site cafe with various hot and cold lunch items. We also has free BBQs so if you wanted bring your own picnic/BBQ lunch, you are welcome to as well! Hope to see you soon!
Written October 2, 2016
Hello
Is there wheelchair accessible facilities?
Thanks. I've heard great stuff and am keen to visit.
Written August 28, 2016
Hi GCHP,
We do have wheelchair access to all parts of the park but many of our path ways in our bush walk areas are wood chip that some customers with wheelchairs and prams experience some difficulty. Hope to see you soon!!
Written August 29, 2016
Can u hold koalas here. We're visiting from England and it's on of our wishes for the childten
Written October 21, 2015
Hi there, thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately, by law, it is prohibited for anyone to hold a koala in NSW (the state in which we are situated) unless you are a trained zoo keeper. The only state in Australia that still allows the holding of koalas is Queensland. However, at The Australian Reptile Park we provide an experience where you can get up close to the koalas, pat them, have your photograph taken and cuddle up really close while they still sit in their tree!
Written October 21, 2015
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