Australian crocodile tours: Where to see crocodiles in Australia
Australian crocodile tours allow visitors to see crocodiles in the wild in far north Queensland and the Northern Territory. Popular crocodile cruise destinations include the Daintree River, Proserpine River and Kakadu National Park.
Australian crocodile tours are a good way to see one of the most impressive predators on earth, and remain safer while doing so. There are several crocodile cruises and experiences available in Australia for those who want to see crocodiles up close.
There are few creatures on earth more terrifyingly awe-inspiring than the estuarine crocodile. Commonly known as saltwater crocodiles, these big beasts are the largest living reptiles. Salties can grow over six metres long, weighing more than 1,000kg. And you do not want to mess with them.
Australian crocodile death stats show that crocodiles kill an average of one to two people a year in Australia.
Where to see crocodiles in Australia
Crocodiles live in the northern part of Australia, often in plentiful numbers. You can expect crocodiles in coastal areas anywhere north of the Tropic of Capricorn. That said, they sometimes venture a little further south, and often hang out disturbingly far inland.
That said, it’s easy to stay safe from crocodiles. They lie in wait for easy prey rather than chasing potential meals and burning energy. A good rule of thumb in tropical Australia is to not get within three metres of a waterway or waterhole unless you’re certain it is free from crocodiles.
Australian crocodile tours in Queensland
If you do want to see the crocodiles, however, there are options available. In several parts of northern Australia, tour companies run crocodile cruises. These cruises head out on crocodile-infested rivers and lakes in boats, gliding up close to massive crocs resting on the banks.
In Proserpine, Queensland, the Proserpine River is supposedly the most croc-heavy in the state. Whitsunday Crocodile Safari runs Proserpine River crocodile cruises with pick-ups in Airlie Beach.
To the north of Cairns in far north Queensland, the Daintree River is another notorious crocodile hang-out. You might get lucky and see some on the Daintree River ferry crossing on the drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. But you’re better off shelling out for a Daintree River cruise, and seeing them unhurriedly.
Northern Territory crocodile tours
The Northern Territory has even more crocodiles than Queensland. Drive through Kakadu National Park, across Cahills Crossing into Arnhem Land and the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, and you’re going to see plenty. Remember – stay well clear of the water’s edge.
They’re so ubiquitous that there’s even a crocodile-shaped hotel in Kakadu.
There are excellent Northern Territory crocodile cruises available on the Corroboree Billabong, just off the Arnhem Highway from Darwin. Meanwhile, the cruises on the Yellow Water Billabong are a long-standing highlight of a trip to Kakadu.
A flashy and expensive option for the time-pressed is a tour with Outback Floatplanes. These half day trips from Darwin start with a scenic flight to Sweets Lagoon, then set off in an airboat to see the crocs.
More crocodile experiences in Australia
If you just want to see crocodiles, and aren’t too bothered about them being wild or not, then try one of northern Australia’s crocodile farms. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures between Cairns and Port Douglas is one of the biggest, offering a series of croc shows and encounters. It’s a similar story at the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park in Broome, WA.
The most convenient place to see crocodiles in Australia, however, is Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin city centre. There are some humungous crocodiles housed here, and you can even get in the enclosure with them. The Cage of Death involves being dropped into the crocodile enclosure, protected only by a see-through acrylic box, and seeing if the croc tries to attack.
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