If you’re heading to the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year with children this year, you’re probably looking for some free kid-friendly activities.
Sure, you can head straight to the Farmyard Nursery, but there’s one exhibit that’s often overlooked: the Frog and Reptile Show.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Anthony Stimson runs live wildlife shows at the Royal Easter Show
- Shows run every hour, all day until 5pm — free with Show entry
- Kids can touch and interact with the animals under supervision
- He also runs the Best Frog and Reptile competition on the final two days
Running every hour until 5 pm every day, the frog and reptile show is probably the most underrated part of the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
What actually happens at the reptile show?
Run by Anthony Stimson from Australian Wildlife Displays, he is the Easter Show’s resident Reptile Man. The show brings a rotating cast of animals each day: blue-tongued lizards, stick insects, pythons, frogs, and a one-metre crocodile.
“He’s not scared,” Anthony says, talking about his friendly croc. “I’ve spent a long time making sure of that.”
He mics up for a half-hour presentation, then opens the floor for kids to ask questions and pet the animals.
It’s part show, part conservation lesson
Anthony isn’t just showing kids his favourite animals; he also manages to slip in a conservation lesson. He’s very passionate about teaching kids how to make their backyard better for wildlife — rocks, logs, old pipes, anything a lizard can hide under.
He explains why that old gum tree your neighbour wants to cut down is actually important habitat for wildlife. And he wants everyone to know the flying fox is one of the most important animals in the Australian ecosystem.
“They fly 100 kilometres in a night carrying pollen — forest to forest,” he says. “Bees can’t do that once the landscape is fragmented. Flying foxes can.”
Best in show: frogs and reptiles
On the final two days of the Show, Anthony runs the Best Frog and Reptile competition alongside a team of vets. Licensed keepers bring in their animals and explain how they’re kept to a live crowd.
So what makes a winning python of a frog? It depends on how healthy they look.
Anthony sayss judges can spot a healthy reptile at a glance, the lustre of its scales, the way it curls up, its overall posture.
Sydney Royal Easter Show Reptile Show FAQs
Yes. Anthony teaches kids how to safely interact with each animal during the show.
Every hour from open until 5pm, daily. The Best Frog and Reptile competition runs on the final two days of the Easter Show.
Yes, with standard Show entry. Get there before 10am for a good spot.
