Do you know why a bluetongue lizard’s tongue is blue? Or why snakes have such small heads? You can learn the answer to these questions and more, as well as get a great hands-on experience, at Blackbutt Reserve’s reptile show. REPTILES SHOWS ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED
The reptile show is held in the Wildlife Arena at Blackbutt Reserve (Carnley Avenue entrance) on weekends. Shows will also be available during the winter school holidays from Monday to Friday at 11am and 11:45am
The show goes for approximately half an hour, the perfect time to keep smaller children engaged.
Tickets for the show are $4 per person (kids aged 3 and under are free) and can be purchased from the kiosk, which opens at 10am. I suggest buying your tickets early as it can get busy at the kiosk, especially if there are a lot of birthday parties being held at Blackbutt on the day you attend.
After purchasing your tickets you can fill in time before the show by spotting turtles and admiring the brush turkeys, peafowl and other birdlife wandering and flying free around the reserve. On our most recent visit, the kids loved being able to get up close to some gorgeous little peachicks.
Be at the gate early and you’ll get the pick of the seats in the Wildlife Arena. Sitting at the front is great as you’ll get a great view of the reptiles and first pat as they’re brought around.
Jess and Laura from Blackbutt Reserve did a great job educating us on the habitat, characteristics and behaviours of the reptiles that we met; ‘Stumpy’ the shingleback lizard, ‘Shelley’ the short-necked, saw-shell turtle and ‘Crush’ the olive python.
There was plenty of opportunity after the show for pictures with the reptiles. An inexpensive morning out for any creature-loving child or adult.
Blackbutt Reserve Reptile Show is at Carnley Avenue, Kotara. Open 7am-7pm daily.
Wildlife Exhibits: Open 10am-5.00pm daily, closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and before 1pm Anzac Day.
Cost for Reptile Show: $4 per person
Parking: On-site parking available, $4 per hour or $12 per day.
Public Transport Bus: Refer to Newcastle Buses website. Train: 2.8km (35min) walk from Kotara Station
Don’t forget to take: Sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a camera.
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Blackbutt Reserve: Everything You Need to Know For a Great Visit
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Meg is a born and raised Novocastrian whose interests include gardening, reading and writing poetry. In between writing for Newy With Kids and working as a School Learning Support Officer, Meg enjoys camping and travelling with her family and exploring Newcastle and all it has to offer. Meg has two energetic kids and is passionate about kids having the opportunity to be outdoors as often as possible.