WHAT'S NEW

 

FEES CHANGE

 

Due to rising costs of energy, water, vet bills, and other consumables out of our control, please note that our entry fees are now $22 for adults, $15 for concessions, $55 for mini-groups (2 adults, 2 children) and $8 for children aged 3 to 15yrs.


COVID19 UPDATE

 

The COVID19 restrictions are no longer in place since the public health and social measures ended on the 4th November 2022. However, if you experience COVID or flu-like symptoms, the following points still apply at the Centre:

Please do not enter the Centre and stay at home. Or please wear a face mask to help protect yourself and those around you.
Cough/sneeze in your elbow.
Wash hands regurlarly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Or use hand sanitisers provided at the front desk.
Keep a safe distance of at least 1m from others.


We will be open 10AM to 4PM except Wednesdays and we will have reptile handling sessions at 11:30AM and 2PM daily for you to touch or hold some of our docile snakes and lizards, please sanitise your hands before and after handling/touching the animals.

We thank you greatly for your understanding and for your continuous support and we are looking forward to seeing you at the Centre!

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Armadale Reptile & Wildlife Centre - Western Australia

Welcome

Opened to the public in 1995, the Armadale Reptile & Wildlife Centre houses a large variety of native reptiles and other Australian wildlife with over 70 different species on display including snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, marsupials and birds.

We are open daily from 10am to 4pm, closed on Wednesdays (except on school holidays), closed on Xmas, Boxing and New Year days.

ENTRY FEES   WHAT'S NEW

Rescue and rehabilitation

Centre Owners, Klaas and Mieke Gaikhorst, have been rescuing and rehabilitating native animals for over 45 years and during that time have seen many harmless reptiles (including legless lizards and pythons) killed unnecessarily due to an inability by people to correctly identify them.

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Learn to identify animals

The main aim of the Centre is to enable people to see native wildlife in natural surroundings and to help them identify animals particularly venomous or non-venomous snakes, that they may encounter in the bush or possibly their homes or backyards.

GALLERY

Learn about their habits & habitats...

The Centre provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to safely observe animals in their natural habitat settings, to see what they look like, how they behave and to learn about their habits.

A chance to touch or hold some of our more docile animals (snakes and lizards) will also be given at 11:30AM and 02:00PM each day.

Rescue & rehabilitation

The centre rescues and cares all types of native wildlife, but specializes in reptiles. Animals that we receive or rescue can be either sick, injured, abandoned, confiscated or surrendered.

For further assistance or information if you have found an injured reptile, please do not hesitate to contact us. We do have a list of other reptile removalists that may be able to assist, if we cannot.

If you have found injured marsupials or birds, call the Wildcare Helpline instead on (08) 9474 9055.

Sick, injured or orphaned wildlife

  • Snakes are frequently attacked by cats (targetting juveniles), dogs, run over by vehicles and injured by people. We have also rescued snakes with their heads stuck in aluminium cans. Many snakes are sighted in backyards, especially following fence lines in an attempt to try to find its way out. If a snake is sighted in the house, it is important that you watch it from a safe distance and if possible get someone else to ring for assistance. If you cannot do this, then ensure all pets are inside and keep watching from a safe distance. The reptile will either find a safe place to hide (then it can be removed by a professional) or simply find its way out.
  • Bobtails are mainly hit by vehicles, attacked by dogs or cats and injured by lawnmowers, whippersnippers or bushfires. Bobtails are the most common reptile we receive being sick or injured and the number of those being attacked by dogs and cats increases each year.
  • Birds (including nocturnals) are commonly found on the side of the road after being hit by a car. Baby birds attempting their first flight often fall to the ground.
  • Marsupials (kangaroos, wombats, possums) are frequent victims of accidents involving vehicles and can be found on the side of the road. Most joeys survive the accidents and can be found inside their mother's pouch.

Hospital

  • A rehabilitation hospital is housed on the property where many sick and injured animals are nursed back to health and returned to the wild whenever possible.
  • Animals ready to be released are thoroughfully assessed whether they can feed and move on their own and whether suitable and safe areas are found.
  • Others with permanent injuries are kept at the Centre and utilized in our education programme for schools and communities.

Costs

  • The costs of animal care include veterinary (surgery, pre and post-operation care, x-rays, medications), feeding, cleaning, enrichment, utilities and advertising.
  • As it is privately owned, the Armadale Reptile and Wildlife Centre receives no financial support from the Government and is totally reliant on admission income, counter sales and the generosity of the public for its funding.
  • Your visit will greatly support the work we do, so we can continue to help our native wildlife.
  • Donations are always welcome.

Want to do your bit to protect the environment and to help us treat sick and injured fauna?

Help reduce negative impact on our unique wildlife

  • Drive slowly and carefully on the road from dusk to dawn when animals are mostly active. Also, pay attention to some species being active during the night in warmer months.
  • Keep the environment clean by disposing rubbish responsibly in adequate bins and avoid littering.
  • Be aware of small mammals and reptiles that may be hiding in the tall grass in your backyard, double-check the area before starting mowing or whipper-snipping.
  • Be responsible with your pets. Teach your dog to leave wildlife alone. Leave cats indoors.

Hog's community cash

Hog's Breath Cafe Kelmscott has generously offered our centre to be a part of their community cash program. For every $30 you spend you can ask for a $5 community cash card. Once we have enough cards, we can cash them in for money to help us pay for the care and treatment of such animals!

As we do not receive any funding, this is very exciting for us and hopefully can enable us to build much needed hospital boxes and to upgrade our rehabilitation facilities!

Please think of us when you are dining at Hog's Breath Cafe Kelmscott.

Hog's Breath Community Cash Program

Facilities

Multiple facilities are available to ensure visitors have a pleasant day with us at the Centre.

Parking

Free parking area with ample space. Overflow parking across the road.

Disabled

Cater for disabled persons: wheelchair access and ramps throughout the Centre.

Snacks & drinks

Vending machines* and ice creams available.

*coin operated only

Picnic

Picnic areas with tables and free undercover BBQ facilities.

Baby change room

Baby changing facilities available for your convenience.

Payments

Payments can be made by cash or through EFTPOS*.

*minimum $10 on card

Souvenirs

A range of items from books to plush toys to purchase after your visit.

Parties & social functions

Birthday parties and small social functions can be held at the centre. Undercover sitting area available.

Services

Groups

Schools and social groups are welcome, we give a discount for larger groups. After-hours visits can be arranged by appointment, this may be useful for Scout or Guide groups.

Please contact us one week in advance.

In-house courses

The Centre runs in-house awareness courses and assists Environmental officers in the correct capture methods and/or identification of reptiles found in their areas.

Contact us for more details.

Entry fees

School and social groups are very welcome to visit us, with a discount given for larger groups.

Bookings must be made by contacting us at least one week in advance for groups of 10 or more.

ADULTS

Price per person

$22.00

CHILDREN (3-15 yrs)

Price per person
Children under 3 are free

$8.00

MINI-GROUPS

2 adults and
2 children

$55.00

CONCESSIONS*

Price per person

$15.00

*CONCESSIONS - PLEASE NOTE:

We accept: Australian Pension cards, Senior cards and Student cards with current date.

We do not accept: Health Care cards, Companion cards and non-Australian concessions.

Concession card must be presented on entry.

Contact

For more information, please feel free to contact us or send us an enquiry using the form below.

Enquiries

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Address

308 South Western Highway, Wungong 6112, WA

Contact

08 9399 6927

armreptilecentre@bigpond.com

Klaas Gaikhorst, Mieke Gaikhorst

Kristy Gaikhorst, Lucy Kowalski

Opening hours

Open 10am to 4pm daily

Closed Wednesdays except on school holidays

Closed on Xmas, Boxing and New Year days

Directions

By car:

From Armadale towards Byford: take South Western Hwy, right hand side after Stone St.

From Byford towards Armadale: take South Western Hwy, left hand side after Moore St.

 

By public transport:

From Armadale Train Station (Armadale line): catch buses 252 or 254 to Byford, stop at "St Western Hwy before Rails Cres" (number 13127).