Australian Reptile Park
An Australian wildlife sanctuary and zoo near Gosford, New South Wales, known for reptiles, native wildlife, conservation breeding, and venom collection for antivenom production.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Australian Reptile Park is a wildlife sanctuary and zoological attraction at Somersby on the Central Coast of New South Wales, near Gosford. It combines public animal exhibits, wildlife presentations, conservation programs, school education, and a medically important venom-collection operation. Although reptiles remain its defining focus, the park also presents Australian mammals and birds, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, wombats, quokkas, echidnas, dingoes, and cassowaries. The park traces its origins to naturalist and herpetologist Eric Worrell. In 1949 Worrell began developing the Ocean Beach Aquarium at Umina Beach, which opened to visitors in 1950. The attraction included marine fish, crocodiles, snakes, and lizards. Worrell also began supplying snake venom to the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, contributing to the development and manufacture of antivenoms. In 1958 his animal collection moved to Wyoming, near Gosford, and the venue adopted the Australian Reptile Park name. The Wyoming park opened to the public in October 1959. Over subsequent decades, the park developed a national role in venom collection. It supplied venom from terrestrial Australian snakes and funnel-web spiders to the manufacturer now known as Seqirus for antivenom production. The operation involves trained keepers collecting venom from species such as taipans, tiger snakes, king brown snakes, eastern brown snakes, death adders, and funnel-web spiders. The collected material is processed and sent to the pharmaceutical manufacturer, where it is used to produce antivenom. The park has attributed thousands of saved lives to this long-running program, although exact totals are estimates rather than independently audited financial or medical statistics. The park also became a prominent popular attraction. Its collection includes dozens of reptile species, including snakes, lizards, Komodo dragons, turtles, tortoises, tuataras, alligators, and crocodiles. A large dinosaur figure known as Ploddy became a landmark visible from the Pacific Motorway and was relocated with the park to Somersby in the 1990s. Other notable attractions have included the saltwater crocodile Eric, which arrived in 1989 and became one of the park's best-known animals, and the crocodile Elvis, who replaced Eric after his death. In 1992 John and Robyn Weigel became principal owners and decided to move the park from Wyoming. The Somersby site opened in September 1996. A major fire in July 2000 destroyed most of the main park building and killed many animals housed there, but the attraction reopened in September of the same year with assistance from staff, the local community, and other Australian zoos. Later developments included conservation breeding for endangered species, the creation of Devil Ark in 2011 as a Tasmanian devil conservation initiative, a Komodo dragon exhibit in 2018, and the successful hatching of three Komodo dragons in 2022. The Australian Reptile Park presents animal talks and feedings, including reptile, spider, alligator, koala, dingo, Tasmanian devil, and Galapagos tortoise programs. It receives school groups for curriculum-linked education in zoology, conservation, and environmental awareness. The park has also gained television exposure through programs including Bondi Vet and The Wild Life of Tim Faulkner. It is an institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association and remains an active tourism, education, wildlife-care, and conservation institution.
History
The Australian Reptile Park developed from Eric Worrell's work as a naturalist, author, and keeper of reptiles. In 1949 Worrell began constructing the Ocean Beach Aquarium at Umina Beach on the New South Wales Central Coast. It opened in 1950 with marine fish and exhibits containing juvenile crocodiles, snakes, and lizards. At the same time, Worrell began collecting snake venom for the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, establishing the connection between the attraction and Australia's antivenom supply. In 1955 the aquarium contributed venom used in the production of the first antivenom for taipan envenomation. Worrell moved his collection to Wyoming, a northern suburb of Gosford, in 1958. The relocated venue was renamed Eric Worrell's Australian Reptile Park and opened to the public on 3 October 1959. Its medical contribution expanded during the 1960s: by 1962 it had helped support the availability of a broad range of antivenoms. In 1963 the park erected its large dinosaur figure, Ploddy, which became one of Australia's notable roadside attractions. A nocturnal house opened in 1968, described in reference material as the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Worrell received an MBE in 1970 for his work associated with antivenom production. That year the park began supplying funnel-web spider venom to the pharmaceutical sector, supporting the long development of a funnel-web antivenom. Captive breeding of cassowaries began in 1972. Funnel-web antivenom became available in 1980, while the park's public-facing name was simplified to the Australian Reptile Park during the 1980s. A management team including John and Robyn Weigel was established in 1985. Worrell died in 1987. A large saltwater crocodile from the Northern Territory arrived in 1989 on a special freight flight. Named Eric in memory of the founder, the crocodile became a central attraction. In 1992 John and Robyn Weigel became principal owners and chose to relocate the park. The move culminated in the opening of the Somersby site on 7 September 1996. Ploddy was transported from Wyoming in a public parade that drew a large crowd. The park suffered a severe setback in July 2000 when faulty electrical wiring caused a fire that destroyed most of the main building and killed many of the reptiles and frogs housed there. Staff worked with emergency crews, and assistance from other Australian zoos helped the attraction rebuild and reopen on 9 September 2000. Eric the crocodile died on 30 June 2007 after a systemic infection, with his advanced age, size, and difficult treatment conditions contributing to the outcome. He was replaced by Elvis, another large saltwater crocodile. John Weigel was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for contributions to tourism and snake- and spider-antivenom production. In 2011 he founded Devil Ark, a conservation-breeding facility for the endangered Tasmanian devil in the Barrington Tops; the initiative later became part of the broader Aussie Ark conservation organization. The park continued to operate as a venom supplier and wildlife education center, while also expanding its conservation activities. The 2010s brought greater media visibility through Bondi Vet and The Wild Life of Tim Faulkner. Tim Faulkner became a co-director with Liz Gabriel in 2016, alongside John and Robyn Weigel. A Komodo dragon exhibit opened in 2018, and the park received recognition including the NSW State Business of the Year award. In 2019 it won Best Major Attraction at the NSW Tourism Awards and opened an exhibit for endangered Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos. In April 2022, three Komodo dragon hatchlings were successfully produced at the park. Today the Australian Reptile Park operates as a public wildlife attraction, conservation facility, and education provider. Its displays cover reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, birds, and mammals. Its venom program maintains venomous snakes and funnel-web spiders, with material sent to Seqirus for use in antivenom manufacture. The park also supports breeding and recovery work for threatened species and offers animal talks, feedings, private tours, and school programs.
- 2022
First Australian Komodo dragon hatchings
[1]Three Komodo dragon hatchlings were successfully produced at the park.
- 2018
Komodo dragon exhibit opens
[1]A dedicated exhibit opened for two Komodo dragons.
- 2011
Devil Ark is founded
[1]John Weigel founded Devil Ark to support conservation breeding of endangered Tasmanian devils.
- 2000
Major fire and rapid reopening
[1]A fire destroyed the main building in July; the park reopened in September after reconstruction and outside assistance.
- 1996
Somersby relocation
[1]The park relocated from Wyoming and reopened at Somersby on 7 September.
- 1989
Eric the crocodile arrives
[1]A large Northern Territory saltwater crocodile arrived and was named Eric after the park's founder.
- 1980
Funnel-web antivenom becomes available
[1]The park's funnel-web spider venom work contributed to the availability of funnel-web antivenom.
- 1972
Cassowary breeding begins
[1]The park began captive breeding work involving cassowaries.
- 1963
Ploddy the Dinosaur is erected
[1]The large dinosaur landmark that became associated with the park was installed.
- 1959
Wyoming park opens
[1]The park opened to the public on 3 October.
Products and positioning
Wildlife attraction and conservation-education institution combining public zoological displays with Australian venom research support and endangered-species breeding.
Zoo exhibits · 1950
Reptile exhibits
The park's core collection includes Australian and international reptiles such as snakes, lizards, Komodo dragons, turtles, tortoises, tuataras, crocodiles, and American alligators. Displays are combined with keeper talks and feeding demonstrations designed to explain animal behavior, biology, and conservation.
Antivenom-production support · 1950
Venom collection program
Trained keepers collect venom from terrestrial Australian snakes and funnel-web spiders. Snake species involved include taipans, tiger snakes, king brown snakes, eastern brown snakes, and death adders. Funnel-web venom is collected using specialized equipment. The material is prepared and sent to Seqirus for antivenom manufacture.
Zoo exhibits · 1950
Native wildlife exhibits
Beyond reptiles, the park presents Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, quokkas, echidnas, dingoes, and cassowaries. These exhibits support public education about Australian biodiversity and threatened species.
Educational services
Education programs
The park hosts school groups and provides curriculum-linked activities covering reptiles, conservation, animal care, venom, and Australian ecosystems. Public presentations include reptile, spider, koala, dingo, alligator, Tasmanian devil, and Galapagos tortoise sessions.
Conservation program
Conservation Ark
Conservation Ark provides access, including through private tours, to breeding and conservation work involving threatened species such as broad-headed snakes, broad-toothed rats, giant barred frogs, Hunter River turtles, Manning River turtles, Namoi River turtles, New Holland mice, and southern stuttering frogs.
Zoo exhibit · 2018
Komodo dragon exhibit
Opened in 2018, the exhibit houses Komodo dragons and forms part of the park's larger reptile and conservation program. The park reported the successful hatching of three Komodo dragons in 2022.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Public funnel-web spider collection program
New South Wales
The park encouraged members of the public to safely submit funnel-web spiders from homes and gardens to designated collection points for breeding and venom-milking work.
Outcome. The program supports the supply of funnel-web venom used in antivenom production.
- 2011Devil Ark conservation breeding initiative
Australia
John Weigel founded Devil Ark in the Barrington Tops to establish a conservation-breeding program for the endangered Tasmanian devil.
Outcome. The initiative became part of the broader Aussie Ark conservation organization and expanded the park's role beyond public exhibition.
Brand decisions
2018
Launch of the Komodo dragon exhibitProduct launchBackground
The park continued expanding its collection and conservation-oriented reptile displays.
Action taken
A dedicated exhibit opened for Komodo dragons Kraken and Daenerys.
Aftermath
The park later reported the hatching of three Komodo dragons in 2022.
2000
Reopening after the main-building fireOtherBackground
A fire caused by faulty electrical wiring destroyed most of the main park building and many animals housed inside.
Action taken
Staff rebuilt operations with support from the local community and other Australian zoos, reopening the attraction in September.
Aftermath
The park resumed public operations just over seven weeks after the fire.
1992
Decision to relocate the parkStrategyBackground
After John and Robyn Weigel became principal owners, management determined that the attraction should move from its Wyoming site.
Action taken
The park was relocated to a new site at Somersby and reopened in September 1996.
Aftermath
The Somersby location became the park's continuing home and was developed into a larger wildlife attraction.
Recent events
- 2022
Three Komodo dragons hatch at the park[1]
Product generation
The successful hatching of three Komodo dragons was reported as the first such birth in Australia.
- 2018
Komodo dragon exhibit opens[1]
Product launch
The park opened a new Komodo dragon exhibit featuring two animals named Kraken and Daenerys.
- 2013
Reptiles stolen from the park[1]
Other
More than twenty animals, including lizards, geckos, snakes, and an alligator, were stolen. Some Solomon Islands skinks were later recovered.
- 2007
Eric the crocodile dies[1]
Other
The well-known saltwater crocodile Eric died after a systemic infection. He was replaced as a major crocodile attraction by Elvis.
- 2000
Fire destroys the park's main building[1]
Other
An electrical fire destroyed most of the principal park building and many reptiles and frogs. The attraction reopened about seven weeks later with assistance from staff and other zoos.
- 1996
Australian Reptile Park relocates to Somersby[1]
Other
The park reopened at its new Somersby site after moving from Wyoming. Ploddy the Dinosaur was transported to the new location in a widely attended public event.
Sources2 sources
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