I’m not sure what the fascination is with crocodiles but people from all over the world seem intrigued by the reptile. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the dangers associated with crocodiles and swimming in their waters when visiting the Northern Territory. If you’re keen to get up-close to a crocodile without coming off second best, Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin is the place to go. It’s easy to visit this wheelchair accessible attraction because it’s located in the heart of the city.
Crocosaurus Cove brings together some of the largest Saltwater Crocodiles in Australia and boasts the World’s biggest display of Australian reptiles. Large windows make the displays accessible to all with easy viewing from a wheelchair.
REPTILE ENCLOSURE
Although the crocodiles are the headline attraction, Crocosaurus Cove is popular for its display of over 70 species of reptiles. All the reptiles on display are from the Top End and Kimberley region of Australia making this a unique experience.
Throughout the day there’s meet the reptile opportunities and a reptile feeding and presentation. Check the website to time your visit to include one of these.
We loved the large window displays which make it easy for kids and wheelchair users to get a good view of the reptiles.
Crocosaurus Cove is brimming with information about crocodiles so there’s plenty of educational opportunities for the kids and adults on a visit. It was fascinating to be able to study the skeleton of a croc.
THE CROCODILES
The crocodiles are the stars of the show with visitors from overseas and Australia lining up to watch the big croc feed.
Watch the staff head into the croc enclosure to demonstrate the power of a croc as it feeds. The sound of their bite is something you really have to hear. Now if I was feeding a Saltwater Crocodile, I’d be hard pressed to remember my name or to speak but the staff effortlessly educate visitors on the feeding habits and other facts and figures about the crocodiles. I recommend timing your visit to include one of the two feeding sessions throughout the day.
The highlight of BJ’s visit to Crocosaurus Cove was the opportunity to feed juvenile saltwater crocodiles (around 2-3 years old) from a platform. Unfortunately this platform isn’t wheelchair accessible and to do this we needed to walk BJ up the stairs. Staff were extremely accommodating and asked us to wait until the end of the session so they could assist us and give BJ the time he needed to participate in the activity. Originally they had suggested they could help lift his chair up the stairs which we appreciated but BJ felt up to tackling the stairs.
The young crocs were easy for BJ to see as they brought their bodies out of the water to hungrily gobble up the snacks attached to the rods. BJ loved it.
The look on BJ’s face in the above photo is one of the reasons we travel. It’s not just about his joy, it’s the shared experience. He looked at Hubby like, “Did you see that?”
For those who can’t make the stairs there’s plenty of opportunities to view the crocodiles.
HAVE A PHOTO WITH A BABY CROC
There’s an opportunity to hold and have a photo with a baby croc at set times during the day. The Crocosaurus Cove photographer will capture the moment with photos available to purchase without obligation.
SWIMMING WITH THE CROCS
Jump in & cool down in the unique Crocosaurus Cove swimming pool that lets you get up close to the juvenile crocodiles, safely of course! Kids are separated from the crocs by a perspex divider but they have the thrill of saying they’ve been swimming with the crocs when they get home.
CAGE OF DEATH
Crocosaurus Cove has become famous for having Australia’s only crocodile dive where guests can share a pool with a 5 metre crocodile.
Operated by an over-head monorail and designed for 1 or 2 people per cage, the Cage of Death has you suspended above the crocs before being lowered into the pen to get an up close and personal look at these amazing reptiles.
The experience includes 15 minutes in the enclosure with one of the massive reptiles swimming around the cage. Crocodile handlers feed the crocs giving those inside a good view of the jaw and sharp teeth.
The Cage of Death operates 12 times per day, and participants can go it alone, or bring a friend. I feel this is an experience best shared.
To participate in Cage of Death you need to make a booking and if travelling in school holidays you need to book well in advance. Participants need to have some mobility to access the Cage of Death. I advise speaking to staff at Crocosaurus Cove to see if this experience is suitable for you prior to booking.
Personally, I found it fantastic to watch the Cage of Death experience from the other side of a glass viewing window. You can do this either from above or below the water. We recommend doing both if you have the time. It makes we humans seem very small and vulnerable, though the participants are perfectly safe.
ACCESSIBILITY
We enjoyed our time at Crocosaurus Cove and all the main areas are fully accessible.
Accessible bathroom facilities are available.
Companion Card is accepted.
TIPS
Use the session times to help plan your visit.
Book Cage of Death at least a week in advance if visiting in the peak months of May- September.
Allow 2-3 hours for a visit.
Pack swimmers if participating in the swimming with the crocs or the Cage of Death.
You can plan your visit by visiting the Crocosaurus Cove website.
We were guests of Crocosaurus Cove but as always our opinions are our own.
The Cage of Death is an amazing experience! Although for sure I’ll get very nervous when I’m there.