Snake Park / Koala Farm

Peace Park (Park 12)

Entrance to the Koala Farm, State Library of South Australia, B 61599, circa 1938

The Adelaide Koala Farm camel cart, State Library of South Australia, B 61602, circa 1938

A. Keith Minchin (Director), State Library of South Australia, PRG 119/33/3/1, date unknown

Camel rides, State Library of South Australia, PRG 119/33/3/13, date unknown

Children's train, State Library of South Australia, PRG 119/33/3/12, date unknown

'Sally' the seal, balancing a ball on her nose at the Koala Farm, State Library of South Australia, B 63779, circa 1936

Between 1927 and 1960 this site was used for one of the more unusual activities on the Adelaide Park Lands. First established as a snake park and later a koala "farm", the operation was always controversial because it represented commercial intrusion into highly valued public land.

However, the koalas, snakes, camels, seals and albino kangaroos were very popular with the public. There was also the occasional sensational incident such as one which involved a fatal snake bite, a second involving a python attempting to devour its handler instead of a live chicken and that involving a large escaped snake holding up traffic on an adjacent road.

The "Adelaide Park Lands and City Layout" is included on the National Heritage List. Adelaide was designed by Colonel William Light in 1837, creating the only City in the world completely surrounded by Park Lands.

City of Adelaide acknowledges the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. We also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations.

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