Sunday, March 15, 2009

Exploring our local area: Australian Reptile Park

Part way between Newcastle & Sydney is the Australian Reptile Park. It was opened in 1948 - and I had *never* been there! That probably has a lot to do with the fact that snakes give me the creeps and judging by the name, I thought it was all snakes & lizards.

We headed off to meet my Mum, sister & nieces there on Monday - and I was blown away by how good it was.

There were lots of reptiles - some out "wild" in the enclosures, and some safely behind glass cages. The Lost World of Reptiles exhibit was awesome - I loved the iguana!! (but didn't get a photo because my batteries were flat by then :( )

Lizards & turtles

Some sort of Australian lizard - I think it's an Eastern Water dragon

Some reptiles were unexpected!

American alligator - *squirm*

Galapagos tortoise - feeding time!

Galapagos tortoise - so ugly, they're cute!


But there were also lots of "cute" (and smelly) Australian animals:

Dingo - Australian native dog


Koala with baby

Wombat

Rock Wallaby

Tasmanian devil - aggressive & very smelly!

Another koala!

Emu having a feed

and some beautiful bush to walk through as well.

Some sort of native flower - can't remember what but it was pretty!


It was well worth a visit - we'll be back!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That Tortoise is awesome!!!

jugglingpaynes said...

How beautiful! Thank you for sharing this. We love Australian animals and don't get to see them too often. Our closest zoo has wallabies and some Aussie reptiles like the lace monitor (gowana), but that's it.

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

Tracy said...

What a cool trip!! My kids would love it.

The Tin House said...

Kez, I'm pleased to read this review - my auntie lives just across the freeway near Avoca(well - it's about 20 minutes away I suppose) and we've never been to the park, but see it each time we visit and wonder if it's any good. It looks really nice. Love the baby koala! Lisa x