The West Australian Reptile Park is located in the Swan Valley and is family-owned and operate and home to many different species of reptiles and animals.
On entry to the Reptile Park, you are greeted by the resident birds. One of which, aptly named Dancer, loves to dance and the other, a cockatoo, enjoys saying ‘hello’ a lot! The kids loved interacting with both of them which prompted squeals of delight from both the kids and the cockatoo! Be warned – he can scream a lot louder than any child!
Once we’d paid our entry fee we were instructed to have a look around and in a short time one of the park staff would come and find us and give us a talk on the various reptiles which are resident in the park.
We headed to the small reptile house. They do ask you not to take large bags into the reptile house as they previously have had a snake stolen from them! The Reptile House is home to many different species of Lizards, Snakes and frogs. Thankfully I didn’t spot any resident spiders!
Just as we had finished our tour of the reptile house Gregor, one of the park’s professional keepers, appeared to tell us more about some of the reptiles. We made our way to the enclosure that was home to the Bob-Tail Lizards. Here we got to learn more about the lizard and much to the children’s delight they were able to sit and hold one.
Next came the snakes! The keeper got out a couple of the small snakes that are referred to as ‘childrens’ snakes’ due to their size. I was very impressed with how quickly my kids volunteered to hold one. It didn’t phase them at all to have one wrapped around their neck – even Miss 2! She wore it like it was the latest fashion accessory!
After our snake holding, we went and visited the animals that resided outside. We met the Hairy Nosed Wombat.
An emu and a couple of kangaroos
A crocodile and a fox.
After which Gregor brought out Blondie the Dingo to meet us. We were taught that Dingos are not related to dogs as they don’t bark. They are part of the wolf family. Blondie was very friendly and the kids had a lovely time patting her.
She particularly enjoyed hanging upside down and having her chin tickled!
Within the grounds is picnic area complete with a gas BBQ which is free to use so you could spend longer there and enjoy a picnic. Be warned I did get badly bitten on my feet by mosquitoes to make sure you take along some repellent.
We really enjoyed our outing to the WA Reptile Park. It was great that the kids had the opportunity to get hands on with some of its inhabitants. The park itself is small, intimate and rustic and does not get funding from the government. Instead, it relies on gate entry fees to stay open.
Do keep an eye on your children as you leave as there is a bridge over what appears to be to children a very inviting green lawn. One of our children decided to run over ‘the lawn’ instead of using the bridge which resulted in him being soaked head to toe as the lawn turned out to be algae on top of a pond. He wasn’t the first child to do this and I doubt he will be the last!
Find more animal parks and zoos in Perth
Find more things to do in the Swan Valley
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After spending 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie McNichol made the move to Perth in 2010. As the Co-Founder and Editor of Buggybuddys, she has been able to use her experience and passion for helping families to create a trusted online resource for parents across Perth.
Jennie is the proud mother of two daughters, aged 14 & 12 and is a big advocate of the family-friendly lifestyle that Perth has to offer.
