‘Twas with a belly of excitement that I trundled off to view the wrath of the crocodile close up at Crocodylus Park. I’m unsure exactly what it is about these animals that make them so intriguing to us humans. Perhaps it is their killer instinct, their direct relationship to the dinosaur era, or the Northern Territory obsession with them on the front page of the Newspaper that keeps us coming back for more. So I threw on my best Steve Irwinesque Khaki’s and knocked on the door at Crocodylus Park to try and
find out.

Catching the tour guides go through the feeding process really enabled the crowd to get a close up view of these mammoth lizards. I swear, the sound that escaped their mouths when they snap their jaws is simultaneously awe-inspiring and bone chilling. I would not want them to be snapping those smiles anywhere near mine! The guides offer the chance for you to dangle the crocs breakfast for them, allowing you to feel their strength as well as see it. Definitely don’t miss out on the opportunity to hold a baby crocodile at the end of the tour – don’t stress, his little mouth is taped so he won’t give you the death roll! He will however fuel any obsession with crocodile skin products – so soft!

Perhaps the best thing about Crocodylus Park is that its not just crocs you see, even though they do perhaps steal the show. There is something for locals and tourists alike, with an Australian animals section alongside a selection of exotic ones. I was like a kid in the candy store with the primates surrounding me, perfecting my impersonations and trying my best to communicate via Monkey Speak! I could have easily sat there all day and watch them playing and interacting.

And then there were the cats!! Close enough to get a good look were lions and tigers and ocelots and leopards (Oh My!). Not to mention aggressive emus (hold on to your hot dogs), iguanas that I wanted to take home with me, the elusive jabiru that I didn’t get to see in Kakadu, and don’t forget to check out the museum before you leave.

Filled with photos, articles, and biological displays, the museum will teach you more about the history and nature of this beast. The heart of the infamous ‘Sweetheart’ as well as the contents of his stomach are on display, alongside pretty much anything you could ever want to know about crocs in general.

So take the time to understand the Crocodile, not just eyeball him, and then you’ll have the guts to smile at him.


For more Crocodylus Park info for your experience CLICK HERE
For more fun stuff to do in and around Darwin CLICK HERE