INSTANT BOOKING OPTIONS
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures Info
Hartley?s Crocodile Adventures: Marvel at the size and power of big mature male crocs.
The attraction provides an innovative approach to viewing and interacting with wildlife. A series of timber boardwalks provide elevated viewing of wildlife as you journey through a range of natural habitats.
Hartley's is famous for its exciting and educational wildlife presentations including crocodile shows, wetland wildlife, snake show, cassowary feeding, and koala feeding.
Situated on the magnificent coastal drive between the popular destinations of Palm Cove and Port Douglas, this attraction is an easy self drive option for families. Some activities are presented more than once during the day allowing you the flexibility of a half-day or full-day visit.
Sample Itinerary:
9.00am - Boat Cruise
Cruise the still waters of Hartley's Lagoon and experience the domain of the Saltwater Crocodile in its natural habitat. Nowhere else is it possible to obtain such an intimate insight into the biology and behaviour of crocodiles. Great opportunity for bird watchers to spot Kingfishers, Egrets etc. which choose to live around the lagoons.
9.30am - Cassowary Feeding & Wetland Tour
Learn about these magnificent endangered rainforest birds and help our keeper feed them. Afterwards, join in a guided walk to our wetlands and feed turtles, fish and water birds.
10.00am - Crocodile Farm Tour
Hartley's have operated a commercial crocodile farm since 1989. Estuarine Crocodiles bred on the premises are raised for their skins and meat. Gain an insight into the operation of our crocodile farm. Learn how farming contributes to the conservation of wild crocodiles in their natural habitat.
10.30am - Boat Cruise
Cruise the still waters of Hartley's Lagoon and experience the domain of the Saltwater Crocodile in its natural habitat. Nineteen crocs ranging in size from 2.5m to 5m cruise the waters, laze on the bank or build nests, interacting with each other just as they would in the wild. Great opportunity for bird watchers to spot Kingfishers, Egrets etc. which choose to live around the lagoons.
11.00am - Crocodile Feeding
See a huge estuarine (saltwater) crocodile hand fed in a presentation which also features Australia's indigenous freshwater crocodile.
11.30am - Crocodile Photos
Impress your friends with a photo of you holding a LIVE crocodile (photo extra charge)
11.45am- Boat Cruise
Cruise the still waters of Hartley's Lagoon and experience the domain of the Saltwater Crocodile in its natural habitat. Great opportunity for bird watchers to spot Kingfishers, Egrets etc. which choose to live around the lagoons.
1.00pm - Boat Cruise
Cruise the still waters of Hartley's Lagoon and experience the domain of the Saltwater Crocodile in its natural habitat. Great opportunity for bird watchers to spot Kingfishers, Egrets etc. which choose to live around the lagoons.
1.30pm - Crocodile Farm Tour
Gain and insight into the operation of our crocodile farm. Learn how farming contributes to the conservation of wild crocodiles in their natural habitat.
2.00pm - Snake Show
Discover the world's most venomous snakes and learn how to administer first aid for snake bite.
2.30pm - Boat Cruise
Cruise the still waters of Hartley's Lagoon and experience the domain of the Saltwater Crocodile in its natural habitat. Great opportunity for bird watchers to spot Kingfishers, Egrets etc. which choose to live around the lagoons.
3.00pm - Crocodile Attack Show
Watch professional, experienced keepers demonstrate the notorious death roll and head shake. See a huge crocodile hand-fed up close in our specially designed amphitheatre.
3.45pm - Crocodile Photos
Impress your friends with a photo of you holding a LIVE crocodile (photo extra charge)
4.00pm - Boat Cruise
Cruise the still waters of Hartley's Lagoon and experience the domain of the Saltwater Crocodile in its natural habitat. Great opportunity for bird watchers to spot Kingfishers, Egrets etc. which choose to live around the lagoons.
4.15pm - Cassowary Feeding
Learn about these magnificent endangered rainforest birds and watch them devour tropical fruit - whole! Cassowaries and their forest home have evolved a complex and mutually beneficial relationship - critical for many other plants and animals. Meet these amazing birds and learn about their origins and close relatives.
4.30pm - Koala Feeding
Koalas spend most of the day fast asleep. Come and share the excitement when they wake up for the afternoon feed at 4.30pm. Feed time is your chance to watch them come alive when presented with fresh gum leaves.
Breakfast with the Crocs:
Includes general admission into the park, breakfast on the deck at Lilies restaurant. Served from 8.30am ? 9.45am.Big Croc Experience - POLE FEED A HUGE CROC YOURSELF!
- Personalised guided talk with a senior Crocodile Handler
- Learn interesting facts on both Freshwater and Estuarine Crocodiles
- Meet and hold a juvenile Estuarine Crocodile
- Receive a souvenir digital photo holding a juvenile crocodile
- Receive a certificate signed by the Crocodile Handler
- Allow at least 45 minutes for the activity
- Free bottle of chilled water
- The Big Croc Experience is available 7 days at 10.30am or 1.00pm, and is limited to a maximum of 6 adults.
- Only available to persons 16 years and over, children and non-participating adults may accompany group at no extra charge (standard admission rates apply).
Visitor Facilities:
- Lilies Restaurant specialises in regional delicacies including crocodile meat and is ideally situated overlooking Hartley's Lagoon.
Open from 10:30am - 3pm. - Gift Shop
- Free car parking
- Disabled Access
- Strollers can be hired for $5/day
Getting There:
- Open from 8:30am to 5:00pm every day of the year except Christmas Day and adjusted trading hours on Anzac Day (25th April - 1:30pm - 5:00pm)
- Located on the Captain Cook Highway, 40 km north of Cairns and 25 km south of Port Douglas.
- Drive your own vehicle or hire a car and experience the scenic coastal road at your leisure.
- Self-drive admission tickets are valid for 3 days from the date of purchase (conditions apply). They are strictly non-transferrable and proof of ID for re-entry is essential.
Transfers:
Daily departures are available from hotel accommodation in Cairns and Northern Beaches (Trinity Beach, Palm Cove), Port Douglas.
- From Cairns City & Northern Beaches: 8.30am, 10.30am & 12.30pm
- From Palm Cove: 9.00am, 11.00am & 1.00pm
- Return times: 1.30pm & 4.45pm
- From Port Douglas: 8.15am & 12.15pm and Depart 1.00pm or 4:45pm.
What to Bring:
- Sensible walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen.
- Cool drinks. When it's hot or very humid you may need to drink up to 3 litres of water per day. Chilled water, soft drinks and snacks are available from Lilies Restaurant.
- On rainy days, an umbrella or raincoat.
- Your camera or video recorder. Film, batteries and video tapes are available from the Gift Shop.
- Bird watchers may wish to bring their binoculars or hire them from reception for $5.00 per day.
The best place to see crocodiles and native wildlife in Tropical North Queensland. Set in the foothills of the MacAlister Range, in a World Heritage listed area, Hartley?s Crocodile Adventures is home to a range of habitat types including melaleuca wetlands, riverine rainforest and eucalypt woodland.
Guest Reviews
The crocs were the stars of the show
The crocs were the stars of the show but I have to say I was very impressed with the Snake show. The guy who was running it was very knowledgeable about snakes and it was fabulous. Would do this again in a HEART BEAT!!!
Posted By Marsha
Worth checking out
Worth checking out, interesting place to visit
Posted By Adrian Gash
Interesting and learned lots.
Interesting and learned lots. Good natural environment. Delicious salt and pepper crocodile at cafe.
Posted By Janice Delamare
learned many new things
The staff really had a great time and created wonderful energy. We had a lot of fun and learned many new things about Australian wildlife.
Posted By Marianne Branham
Excellent dinner
Excellent dinner - have been to many places as tour escort doing an Aussie BBQ - food was well cooked and plenty of it - Well done. Great effort considering the rain and conditions of the week. Very informative talk and presentation, excellent information fron the blonde host with the young Koala - did not catch her name in the introductions.
Staff were all very keen and provided a good night. Very easy for staff who do a similar presentation to become a little jaded over time - they did not - well done.
Paul and Amelia Lincoln
Posted By Paul Lincoln
Enjoyed the experience
Enjoyed the experience very much. Will recommend it to fellow travellers.
Posted By Susan Yates
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