Swimming at Crocosaurus Cove Darwin

For many, the thought of encountering a giant crocodile is the stuff of nightmares. But swimming with saltwater crocs at Crocosaurus Cove is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that lets you eyeball some of the fiercest, yet most majestic, creatures on Earth.

Darwin lays claim to more crocodiles than any other city in the world, and many of them are right in the heart of the city at Crocosaurus Cove. A visit to this three-storey venue is an absolute must for wildlife lovers and offers the chance to feed, photograph and swim with crocodiles from three months to 80 years old. Hold a baby crocodile, feed the friendly whiprays, join one of the daily reptile shows and witness the metre-long barramundi being fed in the giant four-metre-high aquarium – these are just some of the highlights.

Consider this your comprehensive guide to visiting Crocosaurus Cove.

What to expect at Crocosaurus Cove

visitors at Crocosaurus Cove viewing from a huge croc aquarium at — Witness gigantic crocs at Crocosaurus Cove. (Image: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

Crocosaurus Cove is home to some of the largest – and most problematic – crocodiles in Australia.

The large resident crocs at Crocosaurus Cove are usually problem animals brought in from the wild, meaning they came too close to people on beaches and fishermen. (There are even reports of these crocs stealing farmer’s cattle!)

a staff at Crocosaurus Cove holding a baby croc beside a visitor on a wheelchair — Crocosaurus Cove is accessible to all visitors, including those with a disability. (Image: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

See giant crocodiles at the huge aquarium. Beyond these ancient beasts – which you can see from above, below through underwater viewing tanks and while floating in an acrylic tube – Crocosaurus Cove boasts a reptile house that features 70 species found across northern Australia, such as goannas, blue tongues lizards and a swag of snakes.

Crocosaurus Cove highlights

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Big Croc Feed Show

feeding a huge croc at Crocosaurus Cove — Crocosaurus Cove is home to some of Australia’s largest crocodiles in captivity. (Image: Tourism NT/Kane Chenoweth)

At this twice daily show, you can get to know some of Australia’s largest saltwater crocodiles and learn how they’ve remained relatively unchanged for over 200 million years.

Fishing for Crocs

visitors crocodile 'fishing' and feeding baby crocs at Crocosaurus Cove — Feed juvenile saltwater crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove. (Image: Tourism NT/ Shaana McNaught)

Join one of three daily shows at the Fishing for Crocs platform, where there are around 100 juveniles below vying for food. As you lower a stick with juicy meat towards the bask of crocs, each one claws over its scaly brethren to gain prime pouncing position.

Crocosaurus Cove Cage of Death

Leah McLennan inside the Cage of Death swimming with a huge Croc at Crocosaurus Cove — Get up close with a huge croc inside the Cage of Death. (Image: Leah McLennan)

Picture this: floating in tropical water, the dulcet sounds of ripples in your ears, the warm sun on your back – and a giant croc circling you. The Cage of Death is about the closest you can get to realising this primal image. If you’re a little scared, you can always take a friend as the large acrylic cage can carry up to two adventurers.

When I take on the Cage of Death, I go alone. First the safety briefing and next, signing the indemnity release form. Then I climb in the tank, and off I go, transported via an overhead monorail into one of four separate crocodile enclosures for a 15-minute encounter.

a crocodile encounter at the Cage of Death, Crocosaurus Cove — Conquer the Cage of Death. (Image: Tourism NT/ Shaana McNaught)

A group of spectators gather to watch and take photos as I’m lowered in my tube into the croc pool. It’s not long before I’m face to face with a huge crocodile – William and over in the corner is his partner, Kate. He’s 4.6 metres long and weighs in at 690 kilograms, while his diminutive lady stretches only 2.8 metres and weighs 110 kilograms.

a woman inside the Cage of Death Crocosaurus Cove getting up close and personal with a huge Croc — The Cage of Death experience is truly memorable. (Image: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

When William bares his woman-eating teeth, he scares the living daylights out of me. It’s exhilarating, pure excitement, a great adrenaline rush. I watch William in awe for quarter of an hour, as he snaps for food being lowered into the pool by a trained handler. It’s all over too quickly, and for the rest of the day I’m buzzing and in awe of these pre-historic creatures.

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Crocosaurus Cove entry prices

visitors holding a baby saltwater crocodile during a function held at Crocosaurus Cove — **Feel free to hold a baby croc. (Image: Tourism NT/Nick Pincott)**

General entry costs for Crocosaurus Cove: $61 for adults, $32 for seniors, $25 for children under 16. Family passes are available.

Cage of Death cost

a child holding a baby croc — The writer’s daughter Ebi holding a baby croc. (Image: Leah McLennan)

The Cage of Death experience costs $195 per person or $295 for two people. It includes general entry to all attractions. Cage minimum age is 15 years. Children 15-17 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older

The details

Opening times: Open daily (except for Christmas Day) from 9am until 6pm.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Getting there: 58 Mitchell Street in Darwin’s city centre.
Parking: Parking is easy in Darwin’s CDB.

The Northern Territory isn’t just different – it’s a whole new world. From the friendly locals and varied landscapes to its cultural layers, there’s nowhere else in Australia quite like it.

The Northern Territory has to be experienced to be believed. The majesty of Uluṟu doesn’t quite hit until you’re standing before it. The untouched beauty of Arnhem Land strikes the heart in a way you can’t imagine. The quirky and friendly locals and the festivals they throw impart stories that won’t be forgotten. And that’s just the beginning. From natural hot springs and local larrikins to deep cultural ties and ancient stories, these are the experiences to be discovered only in the NT.

1. Swim in pristine natural hot springs

woman swimming in Katherine Hot Springs only in the nt — Dive into Katherine’s crystal clear thermal springs. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Backyard Bandits)

The NT’s natural hot springs are truly picturesque. Katherine’s crystal clear thermal springs sit on the banks of the Katherine River, framed by nature. Picnic grounds and scenic walking tracks make it easy to linger.

In Elsey National Park, the teal waters of Bitter Springs have long been popular with locals. It’s not uncommon to spot turtles as you drift with the gentle current, palm trees waving on the banks. The park also contains Mataranka Thermal Pool, a sandy-bottomed swimming hole sitting at a cosy 34°C year-round.

2. Explore the Red Centre Light Trail

Light Towers Kings Canyon — Head to Kings Canyon to see the Light Towers. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is more than just a place; it’s earned its name as Australia’s cultural heart. Here, a wealth of stories is held by its Traditional Owners, the Aṉangu. And while there are many ways to connect, in more recent years, the Red Centre Light Trail has offered visitors one more way to interpret all this landscape holds.

Wander the Light Towers at Kings Canyon and watch the Field of Light transform the land before Uluṟu as day turns to night. Also, be sure to take in Wintjiri Wiṟu by light artist Bruce Ramus, sharing the Aṉangu’s Mala story.

Arrive in April to experience Parrtjima, a free annual 10-night festival of light, featuring installations, workshops and more.

3. See unrivalled views from a helicopter

helicopter ride over kakadu only in the nt — See Kakadu from the air. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Sean Scott)

There’s no better place in the world to hit the skies in a helicopter. Soar over thundering waterfalls, world-famous wetlands and the floodplains of Kakadu National Park. A bird’s-eye view brings a special type of magic to this one-of-a-kind landscape.

You can also meet local characters on the pub crawl of a lifetime as you fly between some of the NT’s best and most remote pubs.

4. Discover the start of Western Arrarnta art

Hermannsburg Potters only in the nt — Book ahead to visit Hermannsburg Potters. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Felix Baker)

Hermannsburg is one of the most unique towns in Australia. This historic mission town holds several claims to fame, including being the birthplace of Western Arrarnta art – a renowned style of Indigenous art using vibrant, naturalistic watercolours to depict Central Australian desert landscapes. Book ahead from April to September to visit Hermannsburg Potters, a collective of dedicated Western Arrarnta artists.

Other options to see this art style near Alice Springs include the Araluen Arts Centre, Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye).

5. Spot crocs on a cruise

Crocodile being fed on a cruise on the Adelaide River nt — Spot wild crocs up close. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

The NT is the only territory that feeds wild crocs, putting the ‘wild’ in wildlife spotting experience. Join a cruise along the Adelaide River, just an hour from Darwin, to see these not-so-gentle prehistoric giants in their natural habitat.

Be sure to stop into Humpty Doo or Noonamah for lunch on your way back to Darwin. Here, you’ll experience a real NT roadhouse.

6. Experience local Indigenous cultures

young participant at the Garma Festival Nhulunbuy arnhem land — Time a trip to Nhulunbuy for the Garma Festival. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

The NT offers some of the best opportunities to experience the world’s most ancient living culture. Head to Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem mid-year for the Garma Festival, Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering, with four days of song, dance and art sharing Yolngu culture. Stop into Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre in nearby Yirrkala while you’re there, current home of the Yirrkala Church Panels. Painted in 1963, they form one of the first ‘title deeds’ to Country.

Join a celebration of Indigenous music, art, culture and sport at the Barunga Festival, 80 kilometres from Katherine, every June. And year-round, book an Indigenous-led tour through Ubirr, one of the oldest rock art sites in Australia.

7. Meet the larrikins of Alice Springs

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta — Henley on Todd Regatta might be one of the NT’s whackiest events. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/

Head to Alice Springs at any time of year and you’ll be guaranteed to meet some colourful locals. But to really get to the heart of the eccentricities, mark a few dates on your calendar.

March brings one of the best Pride events in the world, fabAlice. Inspired by the iconic Aussie movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which was filmed in Alice Springs over 25 years ago, the festival has a strong focus on the art of drag and celebrates LGBTQI+ communities, as well as self-expression in general.

Come August, Todd River’s typically dry, sandy bed comes alive with the world’s only dry river boating event, the Henley on Todd Regatta.

8. Swim in a waterfall with no one else around

Upper Cascades in Litchfield National Park — Swim in the Upper Cascades with no one else around.

So few of Australia’s most beautiful places remain untouched, but that’s not true in the NT. Take a short hike through monsoon forest in Litchfield National Park (just over an hour’s drive outside of Darwin) to reach the secluded Cascades swimming area. Here, take a dip in the lower or upper cascade pools, both surrounded by rugged bushland. And you’ll probably have it all to yourself.

Plan your Northern Territory trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com.

Swim with crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin

For many, the thought of encountering a giant crocodile is the stuff of nightmares. But swimming with saltwater crocs at Crocosaurus Cove is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that lets you eyeball some of the fiercest, yet most majestic, creatures on Earth.

What to expect at Crocosaurus Cove