Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin: What are the best attractions and experiences?

Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin is a wildlife park with a twist. Here, you can swim with some of the biggest crocodiles in Australia.

Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, Northern Territory, is a fairly scary prospect when you think about it. Some of the biggest crocodiles that have ever lived happen to live right in the middle of the city centre.

Most zoos and wildlife parks tend to be on the outskirts of towns, but not this one. Crocosaurus Cove is on Mitchell Street, surrounded by bars, cafés and restaurants.

7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving

Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.

Crocosaurus Cove attractions

As the name would suggest, the crocodiles are the biggest attraction here. Crocosaurus Cove puts on feeding shows where keepers dangle meat in front of the enormous crocs. The sound of the jaws slamming shut is terrifying.

You can also have a go at feeding crocodiles yourself, albeit not the bigger, dangerous ones. The fishing for crocs experience is all about dangling a treat on a fishing rod for two-to-three year old juveniles. They’re not going to do quite as much damage…

Couple holding a small crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin. Photo credit: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught.

Hold a crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove

It’s also possible to get a photo of yourself holding a baby crocodile, while the reptile house hosts what is reputedly the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles. Most of these are from the Top End or the Kimberley, but there’s also a desert section with reptiles from the Red Centre around Alice Springs.

Another attraction at Crocosaurus Cove is the swimming pool next to the juvenile croc enclosure. The two are kept safely separated, but you can see into the enclosure, and underwater photos look cool.

Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit

Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER

The Cage of Death

The truly extraordinary experience at Crocosaurus Cove, however, is the Cage of Death. This sees you lowered into the enclosure of one of the truly massive crocodiles, protected only by a see-through acrylic box. Sometimes the croc stays where it is; sometimes it comes to investigate the interloper, staring into the box.

Tickets for Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin cost $36. The Cage of Death costs $175, but that includes park entrance. For more information, visit the park website.

It’s certainly better to encounter them here than see a crocodile in Darwin Harbour…

The best places to stay in Darwin

You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.

For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.