Australian Reptile Park
Australian Reptile Park is a privately owned Australian wildlife zoo in Somersby, NSW, offering hands-on animal encounters, conservation breeding, and serving as the sole supplier of terrestrial snake and funnel-web spider venom for antivenom production to CSL Seqirus.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersSomersby, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Australian Reptile Park does
The Australian Reptile Park is a privately held wildlife zoo and conservation facility located on the NSW Central Coast at Somersby, founded in 1958 by Eric Worrell. It operates as a hands-on interactive zoological attraction serving families, individual tourists from Sydney and Newcastle (each approximately one hour away), school groups, corporate clients, and conservation supporters. The park houses over 40 reptile species, 53 American alligators, over 200 venomous snakes, and more than 2,000 funnel-web spiders, and operates the only venom milking program of its kind in Australia — the Weigel Venom Centre — which is the sole supplier of raw venom from Australian terrestrial snakes (king brown, eastern brown, tiger, death adder, coastal taipan) and Sydney funnel-web spiders to CSL Seqirus for the production of antivenom. The funnel-web antivenom program has saved over 25,000 Australian lives since the 1950s and zero deaths from funnel-web spider bites have occurred since the program's inception in 1981.
The park generates revenue through a diversified mix of consumer and group channels: day passes and annual passes (gate admissions), premium add-on animal encounters, photo experiences, zookeeper-for-a-day programs, private tours, birthday party packages (Hugo at $399.99 and Elvis at $699.99 for 10 children), corporate functions and team-building ($149.99/person), weddings and wild engagement packages ($850), a six-tier recurring "Adopt an Animal" symbolic subscription program ($50–$800/year), gift vouchers ($30–$600), and an online Shopify gift shop. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the park's own website and on-site gate sales, supplemented by a referral network of over a dozen Central Coast accommodation partners, a dedicated corporate sales team, and a public funnel-web spider drop-off network spanning hospitals, vet clinics, and wildlife parks from Sydney to Newcastle.
A funnel-web spider breeding facility launched in 2019 and approximately doubled in size between 2022 and 2025, now housing around 5,000 spiderlings under controlled conditions — a strategically important move that supplements public spider donations and de-risks the year-round venom supply chain. The park runs active conservation breeding programs with partners including Aussie Ark (Tasmanian devils, New Holland mice) and achieved the third successful Komodo dragon breeding in Australia with the hatching of Sunda. The Australian Reptile Park is owned and operated by Australian Reptile Park Pty Ltd (ABN 87 003 138 047) under private family ownership descended from the Weigel family, which assumed control after founder Eric Worrell's passing.
Australian Reptile Park firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Australian Reptile Park
- Legal name
- Australian Reptile Park Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://reptilepark.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Australian Reptile Park is a privately owned Australian wildlife zoo in Somersby, NSW, offering hands-on animal encounters, conservation breeding, and serving as the sole supplier of terrestrial snake and funnel-web spider venom for antivenom production to CSL Seqirus.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Australian Reptile Park industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wildlife Zoo and Tourist Attraction
- NAICS
- Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)
Keywords
Where Australian Reptile Park is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Somersby
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Australian Reptile Park business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Gate Admissions: Revenue from day passes and annual passes to the park. Pricing varies by ticket type (adult, child, family). Annual pass holders receive unlimited entry for 12 months with discounts on tours and gift shop.
- Animal Encounters & Photo Experiences: Revenue from paid animal encounters, photo experiences with animals (holding pythons, alligators, koalas), and behind-the-scenes tours.
- Birthday Party Packages: Two tiers: Hugo Party Pack ($399.99 for 10 children) and Elvis Party Pack ($699.99 for 10 children), each with additional child surcharges at $34.99 per child. Includes park entry, party food, animal photo experience, and private tour (Elvis tier).
- Corporate Functions & Events: Revenue from corporate events, Christmas parties, team building packages ($149.99 per person), Christmas in July, weddings, wild engagements, Super Seniors packages ($49.99 per person), and snake safety awareness seminars ($149.99 per person).
- Animal Adoption Program: Six-tier symbolic animal adoption program with tiers ranging from $50 (digital) to $800 (corporate). Adoptions last 12 months and include park entry tickets, photo experiences, and recognition certificates. Funds support conservation breeding programs, animal care, and the venom milking program.
- Gift Shop & Vouchers: Online gift shop selling Venom Diaries merchandise and wildlife-themed products. Gift vouchers for park entry, animal encounters, and Kids 2 Keeper programs sold in denominations from $30 to $600.
- Venom Supply (Public Good / Life-Saving Program): The park supplies raw venom from snakes and spiders to CSL Seqirus for antivenom production. This is described as a public good program rather than a commercial revenue stream, having saved over 25,000 lives since the 1950s.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Hugo Party Pack — basic birthday party package |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Elvis Party Pack — premium birthday party package with private tour |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Team Building Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Super Seniors Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Snake Safety Awareness Seminar |
| Subscription | Annual | Digital Adoption |
| Subscription | Annual | Bronze Adoption |
| Subscription | Annual | Silver Adoption |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold Adoption |
| Subscription | Annual | Platinum Adoption |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Adoption |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Gift Vouchers |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | Wild Engagements (Proposal Package) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Australian Reptile Park product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Australian Reptile Park is a hands-on wildlife zoo on the NSW Central Coast selling day passes, annual passes, animal encounters, photo experiences, private tours, zookeeper programs, birthday parties, corporate functions, weddings, and school excursions to families, tourists, and corporate groups. It also operates Australia's only terrestrial snake and funnel-web spider venom milking program, supplying raw venom exclusively to CSL Seqirus for antivenom production that has contributed to saving over 25,000 lives.
Product overview
The Australian Reptile Park operates as a hands-on interactive zoo offering a diverse portfolio of visitor experiences and conservation programs. The core product is park entry through Day Passes and Annual Passes, supplemented by premium add-on experiences including Animal Encounters, Photo Experiences, Private Tours, and Zookeeper Programs (Kids 2 Keeper, Adult Keeper for a Day). Event-based offerings span Birthday Parties (Hugo and Elvis Party Packs), Corporate Events, Christmas Parties, Team Building, Weddings, Super Seniors packages, Snake Safety Seminars, and Wild Engagements for proposals. Conservation-oriented products include Adopt an Animal (six tier symbolic adoption from $50-$800), Gift Vouchers, and the Online Gift Shop. The park's signature Venom Program, centered at the Weigel Venom Centre, is the sole Australian supplier of terrestrial snake and funnel-web spider venom for antivenom production, having saved over 25,000 lives. Supporting conservation efforts include the Funnel Web Spider Drop-Off Program and Carp to Croc community initiative. Educational offerings include school programs and a volunteer placement program for students.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Day Passes Standard park entry tickets allowing visitors to explore the Australian Reptile Park, view exhibits, and attend daily shows and wildlife presentations. Sold to individual visitors and families.
- Annual Passes
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 25,000 Australian lives saved since the 1950s through antivenom production
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Australian Reptile Park
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Australian Reptile Park technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Australian Reptile Park partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Central Coast CouncilcoreCentral Coast Council partners with the Australian Reptile Park for the annual Carp to Croc community fishing event, which removes invasive European carp from local waterways. The council donates caught carp to the park as food for Elvis the crocodile. Mayor McKinna attended the 2026 event and personally fed Elvis. The partnership combines environmental conservation with community engagement.
- BCF TuggerahminorBCF (Boating, Camping, Fishing) Tuggerah donates invasive European carp caught during the Central Coast Council's Carp to Croc event to the Australian Reptile Park as food for crocodiles and alligators. This supports both invasive species removal and the park's animal feeding program.
- OzFishminorOzFish is an environmental organisation that partnered with Central Coast Council and the Australian Reptile Park for the 2026 Carp to Croc fishing event. OzFish supports the community effort to remove invasive carp from local waterways.
- CSL SeqiruscoreCSL Seqirus is the sole recipient of raw venom from the Australian Reptile Park's snake and spider milking programs. The venom is frozen and sent to CSL Seqirus in Melbourne, Victoria, where it is processed into antivenom for distribution to hospitals across Australia. This partnership is the cornerstone of the park's life-saving public health contribution and dates to the 1950s.
- Aussie ArkcoreAussie Ark is a conservation organisation running Australia's largest conservation breeding program for the Tasmanian devil, based at the Australian Reptile Park. The park supports Aussie Ark through conservation breeding programs, educational presentations for corporate groups, and fundraising through animal adoptions. New Holland mice breeding programs are also run in partnership with Aussie Ark. Part of the conservation mission since the park's founding.
- Mercure Kooindah WatersminorMercure Kooindah Waters is the park's featured accommodation partner, offering an 'Ultimate Family Getaway Package' including 2 nights' accommodation, breakfast, Tree Tops Adventure Park passes, and Australian Reptile Park family passes. Listed as the featured partner on the park's Stay & Play page.
- Gosford HospitalminorGosford Hospital (Pathology, Racecourse Rd, Gosford) is an official spider drop-off point for the Australian Reptile Park's funnel web spider collection program. Open Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat/Sun 9am–3pm. Part of the network of drop-off points across Sydney, Central Coast, and Newcastle.
- Wyong HospitalminorWyong Hospital (Pacific Highway, Wyong) is a 24/7 funnel web spider and egg sac drop-off point for the Australian Reptile Park. Emergency departments serve as round-the-clock collection points for public spider donations supporting the antivenom program.
- Greencross Vets BrookvaleminorGreencross Vets inside Pet Barn, Brookvale, is an official funnel web spider drop-off point in Sydney. Open Mon–Wed/Fri 8:30am–7pm, Thu 8:30am–8pm, Sat 9am–3pm, Sun 9am–12pm. Part of the Sydney-wide spider collection network.
- Symbio Wildlife ParkminorSymbio Wildlife Park (7/11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Helensburgh) serves as a funnel web spider drop-off point for the Australian Reptile Park. Open Mon–Sun 9:30am–5pm. One of several Sydney-area collection points.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Australian Reptile Park competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Taronga Zoo: Sydney-based major Australian zoo with a comparable mix of native and exotic animal exhibits, conservation breeding programs, and education-led visitor experiences. Most direct large-scale Australian zoo peer in mission, scale, and conservation focus.
- Australia Zoo: Queensland wildlife park emphasising hands-on animal encounters, family experiences, and celebrity-led brand. Closely comparable in product mix (encounters, photo experiences, behind-the-scenes tours) and tourist-attraction positioning.
- Melbourne Zoo: Victoria's flagship zoo and the centrepiece of Zoos Victoria's conservation network. Comparable in scale, conservation-breeding mission, education programming, and member/pass revenue model.
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: Gold Coast wildlife park built around native Australian species, hands-on encounters, and a strong day-trip tourism model. Closely matches the Australian Reptile Park's native-species focus and visitor experience depth.
- Featherdale Wildlife Park: Sydney-region wildlife park focused on native Australian animals with a high-encounter, family-day-out model. Most directly comparable in scale and product mix to the Australian Reptile Park.
- Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: Tasmanian wildlife sanctuary running Australia's flagship Tasmanian devil breeding program, which directly overlaps with the Australian Reptile Park's conservation partnership with Aussie Ark. Comparable in conservation focus and small-to-mid-scale operations.
- Wildlife Sydney Zoo: Sydney CBD-located wildlife attraction with a native-species focus and short-visit format. Comparable in product and target visitor (Sydney day-trippers and families), although smaller in scale.
- Werribee Open Range Zoo: Zoological park near Melbourne focused on open-range African and Australian species, with safari-style tours and conservation programmes. Comparable in the conservation/education model and Zoos Australia membership ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Australian Reptile Park social profiles
Digital presenceAustralian Reptile Park financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Australian Reptile Park leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Australian Reptile Park funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Australian Reptile Park M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Australian Reptile Park
What does Australian Reptile Park do?
The Australian Reptile Park is a hands-on wildlife zoo on the NSW Central Coast selling day passes, annual passes, animal encounters, photo experiences, private tours, zookeeper programs, birthday parties, corporate functions, weddings, and school excursions to families, tourists, and corporate groups. It also operates Australia's only terrestrial snake and funnel-web spider venom milking program, supplying raw venom exclusively to CSL Seqirus for antivenom production that has contributed to saving over 25,000 lives.
Is Australian Reptile Park a public or private company?
Australian Reptile Park is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Australian Reptile Park founded?
Australian Reptile Park was founded in 1958. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Australian Reptile Park based?
Australian Reptile Park is headquartered in Somersby, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Australian Reptile Park make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Gate Admissions are the primary driver. The others are animal Encounters & Photo Experiences, birthday Party Packages, corporate Functions & Events, animal Adoption Program, gift Shop & Vouchers and venom Supply (Public Good / Life-Saving Program).
Who are Australian Reptile Park's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Taronga Zoo, Australia Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife Sydney Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Does Australian Reptile Park have an API?
No public API is recorded for Australian Reptile Park.
What industry is Australian Reptile Park in?
Australian Reptile Park's product category is Wildlife Zoo and Tourist Attraction. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAEAE, Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions), with a secondary code of THAJADAL, Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections). Its NAICS code is 71213.