Australia’s crocodile-shaped hotel: The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in the Northern Territory’s Top End was built in the wake of Crocodile Dundee’s international success. The crocodile-shaped hotel offers four star accommodation in Jabiru, the main hub of the Kakadu National Park.

The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Australia’s Northern Territory is one of the strangest-looking hotels in the world. This crocodile-shaped hotel manages to combine four star facilities in a remote part of Australia with a frankly absurd design.

Book the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel.

Australia’s crocodile-shaped hotel in Jabiru, Northern Territory

The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel has gone under several names since it opened in 1988. The crocodile-shaped hotel is the highest quality accommodation in Jabiru, the main hub of the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park near Darwin. It’s a good place to stay for a night on a driving route through the Top End.

Jabiru only barely passes as a town. It has a population of just over 1,000. It opened in 1982, servicing the neighbouring Ranger Uranium mine. The mine closed in January 2021, which will leave Jabiru increasingly focused on tourism.

Much of Kakadu National Park’s accommodation is in Jabiru, and several of the national park’s key attractions. The Bowali Visitor Centre is in Jabiru. Ubirr, Cahills Crossing and the Anbangbang rock art gallery are a short drive away.

Crocodile Dundee and Kakadu National Park

The crocodile-shaped hotel opened two years after Crocodile Dundee had put the Northern Territory’s Top End on the world tourism map. Kakadu National Park didn’t see many visitors before that, although it is now a staple on many tourist itineraries.

The crocodile design was chosen as the crocodile has huge cultural significance to the Gagudju people of the Kakadu area. Ginga, the giant crocodile, is one of the Gagudju people’s spirit ancestors.

Saltwater crocodiles are common presence in the coastal areas of northern Australia. It’s possible to book onto crocodile cruises in several places. Croc-watching destinations include Yellow Water and the Corroboree Billabong in the Top End, plus the Proserpine River and Daintree River in Queensland. Crocodiles can be extremely dangerous. People should stay at least three metres away from the water’s edge in known crocodile habitat.

Design of the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

The hotel is 250 metres long and 30 metres wide. The whole building looks like a crocodile. The crocodile’s head incorporates the reception, restaurant, bar and Aboriginal art gallery. Guests enter through the crocodile’s mouth, completely with enormous teeth.

The slatted yellow eyes of the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel house the hotel’s ventilation units. The croc’s body contains the pool and the circular parking areas supposedly represent the crocodile’s eggs.

As part of the Kakadu Tourism group, the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru is fully Indigenous-owned. Accor Hotels currently manage the hotel. Rooms cost from $199 and can be booked online.

Alternative Kakadu accommodation choices include the Anbinik Kakadu Resort or Aurora Kakadu Lodge in Jabiru. There’s also the Cooinda Lodge and Yellow Water Villas in Cooinda near the Yellow Water billabong.

The Darwin to Jabiru drive takes around two hours and 40 minutes.

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