Located on the Pacific Highway at Somersby The Australian Reptile Park is one of the Central Coast's premier attractions. It was founded at its original site in North Gosford in 1958 by Eric Worrell. Eric had previously operated the Ocean Beach Aquarium at Umina and had entered into an agreement with the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories to provide snake venom. This agreement still continues today and The Reptile Park supplies a wide variety of venoms from a multitude of different snakes and spiders to produce many life saving antivenoms. One of the more interesting features of the park is Ploddy, a 100 ton concrete dinosaur that resided in front the of reptile park until the park relocated to its current location in 1996. Ploddy was the first attraction of its kind with others like the Big Banana to follow in its wake. Ploddy can now be seen from the freeway near the turn off to visit the park.

Inside the Australian Reptile Park is an entertaining and fascinating experience as the park is home to one of the most extensive collections of reptiles and marsupials in Australia. There are extensive exhibits such as a spider display, reptile display, koalas, several reptile pits, a platypus breeding program, a tasmanian devil breeding program and much more, including a small lake of alligators. Eric the crocodile, one of the most famous of his species in the country, is a permanent resident of the park. Some of the more delightfull inhabitants would have to be the parks community of kangaroo's and wallabies, which roam quite freely in certain areas and are incredibly tame and readily petted. The unique flora of the region is not forgotten either with a cross section of indigenous plants preserved with the park as well and on display for us all to enjoy.

The Australian Reptile Park is open 7 days a week 9am-5pm and entry fees apply. During the course of the day presentations are made in various locations within the park either in the Show Pit or at the relevant exhibit. Funnell web spider milking, reptile shows and tasmanian devil feeding just to name a few. These shows never fail to be entertaining, educational and often quite humourous as we watch the eating habits of tassie devils or enjoy the opportunity to touch a non-poisonous snake or animal. Children will enjoy the hands on approach often taken at these presentations.

Facilites at the park include a picnic area, playground, kiosk, good parking and a gift shop.

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