Updated in October 2026, this Australian Reptile Park guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Australian Reptile Park is a wildlife park and venom research centre at Somersby on the Central Coast of New South Wales, about an hour north of Sydney. It is home to more than 2,000 animals, with free live shows and hands-on animal experiences. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel. As of October 2026, an adult ticket costs $58.99 at the gate and $53.99 online, and park tickets stay valid for 90 days from your chosen date. NSW law bans holding koalas, so the park offers patting and photos instead.
Quick facts for the Australian Reptile Park
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Pacific Highway, Somersby, New South Wales 2250 |
| Opening hours | Daily 9:00 to 17:00. Closed Christmas Day |
| Adult | $58.99 at the gate, $53.99 online |
| Child (3 to 15) | $36.99 at the gate, $32.99 online |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | $159.99 at the gate, $145.99 online |
| Ticket validity | 90 days from your chosen date |
| Parking | Free all day |
| Typical visit | Three to five hours |
| Phone | (02) 4340 1022 |
Why book Australian Reptile Park tickets?
- 🕷️ The Weigel Venom Centre: The park supplies the venom behind Australia’s funnel-web spider and snake antivenom.
- 🐊 Elvis the saltwater crocodile: Live feeds show off one of the park’s best-known animals.
- 🦘 Free-roaming kangaroos: You can feed and walk among kangaroos in the main park.
- 🎤 Free shows with entry: Animal meet and greets and live wildlife shows are included all day.
- 🅿️ Free parking and BBQs: Parking, gas barbecues and picnic areas cost nothing extra.
Ticket prices for the Australian Reptile Park – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars. Online prices carry a 2% booking fee.
| Ticket | Gate price | Online price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $58.99 | $53.99 |
| Child (3 to 15) | $36.99 | $32.99 |
| Senior (60+) | $45.99 | $39.99 |
| Concession (valid student or pension card) | $49.99 | $45.99 |
| Child under 3 | Free | Free |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | $159.99 | $145.99 |
| Single family (1 adult and 2 children) | $119.99 | $106.99 |
| Extra child on a family pass | $29.99 | $25.99 |
Your ticket covers all-day access to the free animal meet and greets and live shows. Photo experiences, animal encounters and zookeeper programs cost extra. A companion ticket for a carer is available at Reception with a carer card. Annual passes cost about the price of two visits.
Tickets are valid for 90 days from your chosen date, so you can reschedule for another day. You can book through GetYourGuide before you travel.
Opening hours for the Australian Reptile Park
The park opens every day from 9:00 to 17:00, except Christmas Day. Weekday and weekend hours are the same. Shows run through the day, and the morning shows include the snake milking and the Tasmanian devil talk.
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
Arrive at 9:00 if you want to see every show. The park publishes the day’s show times on its website.
Five great things to do while you’re in Sydney
- Take a small group tour to the Blue Mountains – with a Parramatta River cruise thrown in.
- See the landmarks and secret beaches – on a Sydney Harbour cruise.
- Discover Sydney’s most historic neighbourhood – on a Rocks walking tour.
- Go on a whale-watching cruise – and admire migrating humpbacks.
- Learn to surf at Bondi Beach – with beginner surfing lessons.
How to get to the Australian Reptile Park
The park is on the Pacific Highway at Somersby, two minutes off the M1 motorway at the Gosford exit. Follow the signs. It is about one hour north of Sydney and one hour south of Newcastle. By car is the easiest way to arrive. No direct public transport serves the park, and a taxi or rideshare from Gosford station is the usual alternative.
Parking at the Australian Reptile Park
Parking is free all day, with accessible spaces in the car park. Overflow parking usually opens during busy periods.
How long to spend at the Australian Reptile Park
Allow three to five hours for the exhibits and the shows. A quick walk around takes about 40 minutes, but the shows run through the day. A full day suits families who join several shows and a photo experience.
Accessibility at the Australian Reptile Park
Most areas are wheelchair accessible, with wide concrete, grass and bark paths. Bush walk paths use woodchip, which some wheelchairs and prams find difficult. Free wheelchair hire is available with photo ID at Reception.
Elvis the crocodile has six viewing windows, but the grandstand has no wheelchair access. The koala photo yard is accessible, and a viewing platform by Alligator Lagoon is accessible. Service animals are welcome except in the Main Park Area, because kangaroos roam free there. Carers with a NSW Companion Card enter free.
What to see at the Australian Reptile Park
The Weigel Venom Centre. The park is a leading supplier of snake and funnel-web spider venom for Australia’s antivenom program. You can learn how the venom saves lives.
Elvis the saltwater crocodile. Elvis lives in a large enclosure with six viewing windows. Crocodile feeding presentations happen during the day.
The American alligators. More than 50 alligators live in the Alligator Lagoon. Feeding time is a highlight in school holidays.
The koalas and wombats. Koalas stay in their trees while you pat them, and the koala photo yard is where you have your photo taken. Wombats and wombat joeys are among the park’s baby animals.
The Tasmanian devils. The park runs a breeding program for the endangered devil. Keeper talks explain the story.
The free-roaming kangaroos. Kangaroos hop around the main park, and you can feed them. Echidnas, dingoes and wallabies also live in the park.
The reptiles and tortoises. Snakes, lizards, turtles and a Komodo dragon fill the reptile houses. Galapagos giant tortoises are another favourite.
The Hard Croc Café. The café is open daily until 16:00. Free gas barbecues and picnic areas are also available.
Practical visitor tips for the Australian Reptile Park
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | You can pay at the gate, but book tickets in advance to plan your day. |
| Arrive at 9:00 | Morning shows include the snake milking and the Tasmanian devil talk. |
| Use your 90 days | Tickets stay valid for 90 days from the date you choose, so you can reschedule. |
| Bring a picnic | Free gas barbecues and picnic areas are available, and the café closes at 16:00. |
| Check the paths | Bush walk paths are woodchip, which prams and wheelchairs can find difficult. |
Frequently asked questions about the Australian Reptile Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Daily from 9:00 to 17:00. The park is closed only on Christmas Day. |
| How much does a ticket cost? | An adult ticket costs $58.99 at the gate and $53.99 online. A child ticket costs $36.99 at the gate and $32.99 online. |
| Can I hold a koala? | No. NSW law prohibits holding koalas, but you can pat one, have your photo taken and cuddle up while it stays in its tree. |
| Is parking free? | Yes. Parking is free all day, with accessible spaces. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | You can buy at the gate, but advance booking is recommended because online prices are lower. |
Things to do near the Australian Reptile Park
Somersby Falls: A small waterfall and picnic area in Brisbane Water National Park at Somersby.
Brisbane Water National Park: A bushland park with walking tracks and waterfalls on the Central Coast.
Mount Penang Parklands: A parkland with walking trails and a former juvenile justice site at Kariong on the Central Coast.
Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures: An outdoor adventure park with horse riding and kayaking near Peats Ridge.
Gosford Waterfront: A waterfront precinct on Brisbane Water in Gosford.
Alternatives to the Australian Reptile Park
Featherdale Wildlife Park: A wildlife park with koalas and kangaroos in Doonside in western Sydney.
Taronga Zoo Sydney: A harbourside zoo in Mosman with views of Sydney Harbour.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo: A wildlife zoo with Australian animals in Darling Harbour.
Symbio Wildlife Park: A wildlife park at Helensburgh, south of Sydney.
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary: A koala conservation centre with a canopy walk at One Mile in Port Stephens.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Pet sharks and rays at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters in Port Stephens.
- Port Stephens Animal Adventures visitor guide: What you’ll see, why it’s a great rainy day option and how much it costs to swim with a crocodile.
- What first time visitors can expect at the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park.
- What to expect at Calmsley Hill City Farm.
- Tackle the Aboriginal Heritage Walk to Resolute Beach in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.
