NSW 2013: Our Adventure Began

Did you see alligators? Lazing around the pond...

We were in Australian Reptile Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, about an hour drive north of Sydney. It was not in my planned itinerary, my aunt highly recommended it. We were staying over at her place in one suburb of northern Sydney. I kept the day free to wander the suburb where my aunt and her family are staying, while she and her family at work and in school. But, she thought that it made sense for us to go further north on our own, ie Central Coast for a day trip.

It was 3 in the afternoon when we reached at the entrance of the Park. We were told that the Park is closed at 5pm and because of only two hours of visiting the park, we got a special rate for the tickets. Apparently most shows or guided tourswere no more available for us too.

As such, there were not many visitors, the ambiance became quiet and pretty (ahem) spooky for us, especially where top trees reduced the sun light penetrating in the bushland and there was only us, no other people could be seen. The chirping of insects and birds were sure added injected the fun to explore the park.

Timid Jiejie was half-heartedly to explore the place, shook her head and pulled my hand backward as we strolled the park. She was trying very hard to persuade us turned back. Little Bomber, however given different reaction and wanted to find out more about the place that she was brought to for the very first time. She was fearless, curious, no sign of chickening. She probably had no clue what to expect and kept saying, "I want to go! I want to go in!" to against her big sister's request. So much so it changed Jiejie's mind and we continued our adventure, in a wild bushland.

The park itself is an attraction to me, because I saw not just a wildlife park. Some part of the park is being largely untouched by development and remain its bushland setting with streams and heath. Definitely a perfect home to wildlife. The park homes a variety of reptiles, as well as other Australian animals, such as kangaroos, Tasmanian, cassowaries, even birds and small animals.

I suspect, there are elves and fairies living in there.

One fun activity I created for this visit was to ask them to find koala bear. Kids love koala, at least Little Bomber was game into it. Every cage or hut we approached to, she would announced that, "There's not koala!" And eagerly moved on to find next. With such a positive attitude, she sure did a big help to cheer Jiejie up.

It was a joy to see her enthusiast.

For the first time, we were in close distance to wallaby, wombat, Tasmanian Devil and kangaroos.  When we saw one koala finally, he was sleeping. But it didn't dispirit the girls, the koala was very close to the edge of the hut and we were able to snap pictures with him (I would assume it was a him).

The clock was ticking and we started to have a little fun in the park. By the time we were near to the exit, reaching the crocodile, it was not move at all, like a sculpture, with a pair of eyes opening staring at us. The fellow must had a tired day.

The following pictures were me attempting to seize the sun lighting shining through the trees, seize the happiness of my children, standing in front of the sun, facing the crocodile.

The girls were standing at the spectator seats, stretching their arms and legs on the bars.

When you see Jiejie is smiling, you know that, the Park is not scary after all. It is an interesting park, in its very natural way. 

This visit was more of exploring the place than seeing the animal, to me. I mean, how often you step into a bushland, seeing animals and possible there are elves and fairies whispering behind their ears?

Location:

"The Australian Reptile Park is located at Somersby on Sydney's Central Coast, close to the Sydney-Newcastle Expressway, perfect to include with tours to Hunter Valley, Barrington Tops and Port Stephens. Less than one hour north of Sydney Harbour Bridge or south of Newcastle, we're the first stop on the 'new' Pacific Coast Touring Route after Sydney." -Source: Australia Reptile Park

Opening Time: 9am - 5pm, everyday except Christmas Day, 25th December.

Ticket: Adult $25.50/Child $13.50/Concession $18.00/ Family pass for 4 members is $68.
(Psst! If you intend to visit Central Coast, NSW, go visit any Tourist Information Office, get the free brochure of Central Coast and flip. And if you are lucky, you may find some special discount voucher to visit places like Australia Reptile Park!)