If you want to spot a crocodile in its natural environment… read on. These are the best places for wild crocodile viewing in Queensland.
How to stay safe around croc-infested waters
But wait! Before you run off to do your khakis and get your Crocodile Hunter on, there are few things you need to know about crocodile viewing in the wild. Crocodiles are dangerous ambush predators.
Follow these three rules to stay safe in Tropical North Queensland:
- Never swim in water where crocodiles may live (even if there’s no warning sign).
- Never provoke or harass crocodiles.
- Always obey crocodile warning signs – they are there for your protection.
We recommend you only go crocodile viewing with experienced tour operators and guides who know everything about these awesome prehistoric beasts… and where to find them.
Where to see crocodiles in captivity in Queensland
If you’re not ready for a wild croc encounter, there are some great wildlife parks in Queensland for a safe crocodile experience:
- Kids love getting hands-on with baby crocs at Rockhampton’s Koorana Crocodile Farm.
- For families, you can’t beat cruising down a river full of toothy residents at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures in Cairns. Get tickets here
- Of course, the Irwins’ Crocoseum at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast can’t be missed. Get tickets here
5 ways to see crocodiles in the wild in North Queensland
Queensland is just as popular with crocs as it is with tourists. Several great tour operators can help you on your quest to view a wild croc.
Here are five of our favourite Queensland tours for spotting crocs in their natural habitat:
1. Lady Douglas River Cruise - Dickson Inlet, Port Douglas
A cruise on the Lady Douglas along idyllic Dickson Inlet in search of estuarine crocodiles and other wildlife. The prehistoric beasties are spotted on 95 per cent of tours. The cruise is great for kids. An entertaining and informative commentary helps passengers to learn about the crocs and their habitat.
2. Solar Whisper Crocodile Cruise - Lower Daintree River
1.5 hours from Cairns, 50 minutes from Port Douglas
A quiet solar electric boat — gives passengers the opportunity to not only see but hear and smell the magical Daintree without the interference of noise or fumes. The eagle-eyed and experienced guides from Solar Whisper mean that they have an incredible 99 per cent success rate for crocodile viewing.
3. Crocodile Express Daintree - Upper or Lower Daintree River
2 hours from Cairns, 45 minutes from Port Douglas
The Crocodile Express offers nature lovers an introduction to the Daintree with one-hour cruises through croc-infested waters. Ask about its ‘Croc Pass’ for free return cruise visits over a three-day period through the saltwater mangrove and rainforest habitat in the lower Daintree, as well as through the freshwater pasture lands and rainforest upstream.
4. Cape Tribulation Wilderness Cruises - Cooper Creek
Cooper Creek Wilderness, 20km north of the Daintree River
Further up the river, Cape Tribulation Wilderness Cruises is the only tour boat permitted to travel up Cooper Creek, around halfway between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation. Its mangrove discovery tour journeys into the most diverse mangrove system in Australia in search of estuarine crocodiles, and offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like in prehistoric times.
5. Whitsunday Crocodile Safari - Proserpine River
The Whitsundays isn’t just about the reef and rainforest – it’s also croc central. Family-owned Whitsunday Crocodile Safari offers fully-guided day-trips into the estuaries and wetlands of the Whitsundays. It is the only commercial tour operator on the Proserpine River — the state’s top croc hotspot and home to many species of native and migratory birds, mammals, reptiles and marine animals, including around 150 estuarine crocodiles.
