Get set for a Jurassic adventure of epic proportions: "live" dinosaurs are taking over the Australian Reptile Park these summer school holidays!
Yep, you read that right – life-sized, teeth-gnashing dinos will be stomping through the Park’s grounds. But don’t worry, they’re not all scary. Kids can snap a selfie with a T-Rex, join the daily Dino Dance Party, and wander through a prehistoric landscape filled with giants like a pachycephalosaurus, a raptor and even a baby triceratops (seriously… adorable). Little palaeontologists can also get their faces painted and grab a broom to uncover fossils in the dino dig pits.
FREE with your zoo entry ticket, the Jurassic Zoo experience is happening these summer school holidays (20 Dec 2025 – 2 Feb 2026), and it's guaranteed ROARsome fun.
PLUS! We’re excited to share that the Park’s much-loved Little Kids to Keeper program has had a glow-up for summer. It’s now a full day of behind-the-scenes animal fun, complete with lunch and a hat for the kids. Their Kids to Keeper experiences run on select days throughout the holidays, with programs for wildlife lovers aged 3 right through to adults.
And brand new this season: a mini encounter with Cooper the cassowary – get up close, snap a pic and even help feed him his lunch.
Ready for a wildly fun day out? Scroll down for more details or use the link below to buy tickets from $37 per person on a family day pass. If you book online, you save up to 21%!
Here's what animals you'll see at the Australian Reptile Park
The Australian Reptile Park is home to a host of furry, scaly and spiky residents, and unlike the name suggests, it's not home only to reptiles. Here, you'll see you’ll see Galapagos tortoises, echidnas, cassowaries, Komodo dragons, Tassie devils, koalas, venomous snakes & spiders and so much more. This is the place to see Australia's native animals, plus reptiles, amphibians and spiders from around the world.
Awarded ‘Australia’s Best Tourist Attraction’ at the 2023 Qantas Tourism Awards, the Park is heralded for the hands-on, interactive experiences it offers visitors. Each day, they host a huge range of shows and encounters, including Walks with a Galapagos Tortoise and Komodo Dragon, Elvis the Crocodile Feeds, Tasmanian Devil and Koala Talks, Lorikeet Feeds, Reptile Shows and more. See the full schedule here. It's these personal up-close encounters that make a day at the Australian Reptile Park so spesh.
See snake milking at the Weigel Venom Centre and learn about the anti-venom program
In 2024 an industry-leading Venom Facility was built at the Australian Reptile Park, and visitors now have the unique opportunity to witness snake milkings and the critical work behind the production of anti-venom.
Why is it here? Well, wonderfully, the Australian Reptile Park played a vital role the development of life-saving snake and spider anti-venom, and it remains the only zoo in Australia with snake- and spider-venom milking programs. Since the project's launch in the 1950s, more than 25,000 lives have been saved thanks to its venom program.
Entry to the Weigel Venom Centre is included in your entry ticket.
Animal encounters at the Australian Reptile Park
From feeding alligators and patting a koala to watching venom extractions that help save lives, the Australian Reptile Park’s daily Animal Encounters give visitors a behind-the-scenes pass that turns a regular day at the zoo into something truly memorable – with cuddles, close-ups and animal encounters the kids will be talking about for weeks.
These special encounters run every day and can be pre-booked online or booked on the day (if space allows) – and with so many visitors keen for a cuddle or a croc-feed, we recommend getting in early.
You’ll get the chance to meet some of the Park’s most iconic residents – think sleepy koalas, cheeky reptiles, massive crocs, and even off-display critters rarely seen by the public. Whether you're posing for a photo with a baby alligator, hand-feeding a cassowary, or patting a Tawny frogmouth, there’s something here for every kind of animal lover (from wide-eyed preschoolers to thrill-seeking grown-ups).
Some encounters are included in general admission, while others are special add-ons – but trust us, they’re worth every cent.
More info here: Animal Encounters
NEW Cassowary Meet & Greet (for people aged 8+)
Enjoy an up-close mini encounter with Cooper the Cassowary, snap a selfie and feed him yourself.
Koala Encounter (for people aged 4+)
Meet, pat and get some special selfies with a koala.
Reptile HQ (for people aged 4+)
Enjoy an exclusive tour of the Reptile Headquarers. Meet off-display reptiles, hold a lizard and a snake and learn from the Park's expert keepers.
Venom Encounter (for people aged 6+)
Enjoy an up-close, behind-the-scenes snake milking and a funnel web milking. See a first aid demo and experience a guided tour of the snake pits and Spider World.
Komodo Dragon Encounter (for people aged 12+)
The Park's Komodo Dragon encounter is back! Meet Kraken up close in his enclosure, give him a pat and learn all about him from their expert keepers.
Behind the Scenes Tour (for people aged 4+)
Get exclusive behind the scenes access to meet Hugo the Tortoise, cute and cuddly koalas, scaly reptiles and the deadly funnel web spider!
Photo Experiences (all ages)
Pose for a photo with an adorable koala, baby alligator, Burmese python or a Tawny frogmouth. Throughout the year there may be opportunities to have a snap taken with one of the zoo's youngest residents, such as a Tasmanian devil joey or a dingo pup.
Alligator Encounter (Strictly 18+)
The Australian Reptile Park has a lagoon filled with more than 50 American alligators and with their brand-new Alligator Encounter, you can experience these prehistoric creatures like never before! you'll get to step onto the jetty to feed the gators yourself! Plus you'll get VIP access to watching the gators being fed by the keepers and get to snuggle and pose for a photo with a baby alligator.
Elvis VIP Encounter (Strictly 18+)
Did you know that you can pole-feed the Park's 4.75-metre-long crocodile, Elvis?! Know an adrenaline junkie or someone who has everything? Gift them this! Unlike the other Animal Encounters, this experience is run on Sundays only.
Want to be a zookeeper for a day? They have a Kids to Keeper program for all ages and abilities that runs in school holidays and select weekends
If your child’s ever dreamed of working with animals, here’s their chance to step into the job – even if it’s just for a day!
The Australian Reptile Park's Kids 2 Keeper program is a hands-on experience that takes people (aged 3+) behind the scenes for a day in the life of a real zookeeper. It’s one of the Park’s most popular offerings for school holidays – and it books out fast.
There are different levels depending on your child’s age, and the program is designed to be accessible, engaging and packed with animal cuddles. Even better? You can use your NSW Active Kids voucher toward the cost.
More info here: Kids 2 Keeper Program
Mini Kids 2 Keeper (Ages 3–6)
This 2-hour adventure is perfect for preschoolers and their grown-ups. Kids will meet tortoises and other scaly friends, pat fluffy koalas, and see and feed Australian birds and kangaroos. Cost: $149.99 (one ticket is valid for admission of one child AND one carer).
Little Kids 2 Keeper (Ages 7–12)
This 6-hour tour is packed with interactive activities for primary-aged wildlife lovers. It’s a proper “junior zookeeper” experience, minus the mop and bucket! Kids will meet snakes, lizards and Hugo the Galapagos tortoise, pat fluffy koalas, get VIP viewing access to the Elvis the Crocodile Show, hand-feed kangaroos and help with Tasmanian devil enrichment prep. Cost: $149.99 per child.
Big Kids 2 Keeper (Ages 12–18)
A full-day experience for teens who are serious about wildlife! It’s hands-on, immersive, and gives participants the chance to step into a keeper’s boots (and gloves). Your teen will get hands-on interaction with snakes, lizards, tortoises and alligators, feed koalas, kangaroos and lorikeets, enter the Park's venom rooms and learn about their life-saving venom program and gain experience in animal enrichment, hygiene routines and enclosure design. Plus, they'll get to show off their new skills by presenting an animal at the Keeper Kids Show at 3.30pm! Cost: $179.99 per participant
Inclusive Kids 2 Keeper (Ages 7–18, for kids with additional needs)
Inclusive Kids 2 Keeper is a brand-new zookeeper experience designed to be inclusive and accessible for kids with sensory-processing disorders, autism, or reduced mobility. Hosted by three experienced zookeepers, this hands-on tour will get kids up close to tawny frogmouths, Australian reptiles, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and more. The experience commences at 8am (before the Park opens to the general public) so that participants can enjoy their hands-on time with reptiles and birds without noises and distractions from other visitors. Cost: $140 (one ticket is valid for admission of one child AND one carer).
Adult Keeper for a Day (Ages 18+)
Why should the kids have all the fun? This immersive, all-day tour gives adults a rare chance to go behind the scenes at the Reptile Park. You'll get to hold snakes, lizards, frogs, alligators, birds and mammals and learn correct handling skills, plus there's the opportunity to explore the venom rooms, prep animal enrichment, assist with exhibit care and feed some of the residents. Cost: $299.99 per person.
Make a day of it at the Australian Reptile Park!
The Australian Reptile Park is an attraction that invites you to stay and play all day long. As well as all of the experiences outlined above, they have a fabulous children’s adventure playground, plus free BBQs and picnic areas, so you can BYO lunch and make a real day of it.
For those who want to pack light, they also have a cafe that sells hot food, snacks, ice creams and locally roasted BlendCo coffee.
We recommend you carve out a day to visit these holidays.
Are you a local Coastie? Get an annual pass!
If you're a local Coastie, get an Australian Reptile Park annual pass, so you can visit again and again on the cheap. You only need visit twice to make back the cost! AND their epic playground alone is worth the ticket!
Annual Pass gives you:
- Unlimited entry for 12 months
- 50% discount for accompanying additional visitors (max. 2 guests per pass, per visit)
- 10% off Kids 2 Keeper and Behind the Scenes experiences
- 10% off kids’ birthday party packages
- One voucher for an animal photo experience and 6 x 8” colour print (1 voucher per pass)
- 10% at the Australian Reptile Gift Shop
Australian Reptile Park
Opening hours: The Australian Reptile Park is open 9am-5pm every day (except Christmas Day). Jurassic Zoo will run daily from 20 December 2025 to 2 February 2026.
Address: The Australian Reptile Park, Lot 69 Pacific Highway, Somersby.
Parking: Car park attached.
Facilities: BBQs, covered picnic tables, kiosk, picnic area, kid's play area.
Cost: Jurassic Zoo is FREE with your zoo entry ticket. Entry is from $37 per person with a Family Day Pass. Kids under 3 are free. Book online and save up to 21%!
Tip: check out their annual passes, so you can attend multiple times for the price of just over two visits.
Phone: 02 4340 1022
Email: [email protected]
Australian Reptile Park Facebook page
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Australian Reptile Park Youtube channel
Australian Reptile Park website
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Written By: KATIE STOKES
Founder & Editor
After working in print and online media for more than a decade, Katie launched Playing in Puddles in 2017. A mum of three young boys and local of the Central Coast, Katie loves discovering and sharing all that’s happening in our region.
