Five Australian reptile parks to take the kids to this weekend
Let’s face it, kids love critters, and the more nasty, dangerous and scalier the better, it seems. So why not head this weekend for a road trip to explore.While we can’t point you towards a real-world version of Jurassic Park (thank goodness) Australia does have quite a few reptile parks showcasing some of our infamous cold-blooded fauna, and they are well worth the drive. Budding herpetologists without young ’uns are more than welcome too, so jump in the car and enjoy the drive – and the scaly destination.
Australian Reptile Park, Somersby, NSW
This Central Coast institution dates back to 1949 and the work of founder Eric Worrell. Today, the Australian Reptile Park is a huge and fascinating zoo dedicated to scaly critters, but also has a large collection of mammals, birds and amphibians. The newest exhibit is the Komodo dragon enclosure for lengthy lizards Kraken and Daenerys. Face your fears at Spider World or see Elvis (Australia’s crankiest croc) at feeding time. Take the M1 freeway north or the Old Pacific Highway.
West Australian Reptile Park, Henley Brook, Western Australia
Western Australia is home to some of the country’s most venomous snakes, and you’ll see a good selection of them at this family-owned property just outside Perth. The West Australian Reptile Park has about four hectares of enclosures and hands-on exhibits where kids, for instance, can cuddle a python if they’re game. Don’t touch the western brown snake, the dugite or the desert death adder though: they are strictly viewing only!
Snakes Downunder, Childers, Queensland
You could make a special trip to Snakes Downunder, or if travelling north up the Bruce Highway, make sure you stop off at Childers for a look. Yes, they have snakes and plenty of ’em in the snake house, plus there’s the walk through vivarium featuring dragons and frogs. But there are also saltwater crocs, colourful perentie goannas, and some friendlier furry varmints such as koalas, meerkats, kangaroos and more. There’s daily feeding and talk sessions, the vibe is laid-back and family-friendly and the kids will love it.
Ballarat Wildlife Park, Victoria
Formerly known as a reptile park, this sprawling zoo about 100km west of Melbourne started adding so many other animals to its collection it had to change its name. Fear not though, reptiles are still a big thing in Ballarat be they crocodiles, alligators, taipans or even a Mozambique spitting cobra. There’s even two Sumatran Tigers. For something cuddlier there’s also meerkats, little penguins, adorable spotted quolls and any number of ways to get up close to the critters.
Gorge Wildlife Park, Cudlee Creek, South Australia
Yes, you can cuddle a koala and check out the cute meerkats, tamarins, spider monkeys and lemurs at Gorge Wildlife Park at Cudlee Creek, just north-east of Adelaide, in the Adelaide Hills. But this charming menagerie’s reptiles are generally off limits which is not surprising: the reptile house has everything from exotic Gila monsters, iguanas and corn snakes plus some more venomous indigenous snakes, while outside you will find American alligators. Not a long drive from Adelaide, but definitely a worthwhile one.
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