Right in the heart of Darwin city, along bustling Mitchell Street, Crocosaurus Cove is one of the Top End’s most unforgettable wildlife attractions. As the home to the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles, this iconic visitorhotspot offers a front-row seat to the raw, prehistoric power of saltwater crocodiles and other incredible wildlife. From up-close encounters to the famous chance to swim with the crocs, Crocosaurus Cove truly showcases the wild spirit of the Top End—all without leaving the city. Whether you’re planning your Crocosaurus Cove entry or just curious about what awaits inside Darwin’s most thrilling attraction, this guide covers everything you need to know before you go.
Want to know all about planning your trip to Darwin? Scroll to the bottom of the post to see which site locals use to book hotels, where trusted travelers book tours, and how to find the best flight deals. Or Click Here to be taken there now.
Where is Crocosaurus Cove?
Crocosaurus Cove is located in the heart of Darwin’s city centre, making it one of the easiest wildlife attractions to visit in the Northern Territory. You’ll find it on Mitchell Street, Darwin’s main strip, surrounded by hotels, cafés and shops.
Its central location means most visitors can walk there from their accommodation, and it’s only a short drive from the Darwin Waterfront Precinct and Mindil Beach. If you’re exploring Darwin on foot, Crocosaurus Cove fits effortlessly into a day of sightseeing, dining or shopping in the CBD.
See our list of the best things to do in Darwin for more ideas.
Top Attractions and Experiences
Alright, let’s talk about the stuff that gets your heart racing faster than a croc chasing dinner. Here are the top attractions at Crocosaurus Cove:
Crocodile Feeding Shows
Daily feeding presentations give visitors the chance to watch the crocodiles in action while learning about their biology, habitat, and role in the Top End ecosystem.
These sessions are both educational and impressive, highlighting the sheer power of these ancient reptiles.
Big Croc Feed VIP Experience: For an adrenaline-fueled adventure at Crocosaurus Cove, join their behind-the-scenes tour. It offers a rare opportunity to feed a saltwater crocodile, one of the world’s deadliest predators. Led by experienced reptile handlers, you’ll get hands-on with this bucket list experience.
Cage of Death
Picture this—you, in a clear acrylic cage, dangling over a pool of hungry Crocs. It’s like swimming with sharks but with Crocs instead. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
Over 15 intense minutes, it’s a heart-pounding encounter with a massive saltwater crocodile.
Available Experiences:
A regular entry ticket into Crocosaurus Cove is still required for the Cage of Death experiences.
Other Activites
Available once a day as part of the afternoon Aquarium show, experienced handlers allow you to hand-feed one of the friendly freshwater Whiprays. It’s a great chance to learn about these inquisitive creatures.
Meet the Reptiles
Crocosaurus Cove isn’t just about crocodiles—it’s got a whole bunch of other scaly critters, too. Home to over 70 species, you can get up close and personal with all sorts of reptiles. Just remember to keep your fingers out of reach.
Fishing for Crocs
Watch as the experts dangle meat on a stick over almost 100 juvenile saltwater crocodiles and see who bites. Spoiler alert: it’s always the crocs.
Photo Opportunities & Wildlife Handling
Throughout the day, visitors may have the chance to hold or pose with reptiles under staff supervision. These experiences offer memorable photo opportunities and a hands-on way to learn about Top End wildlife.
What else?
There is a ton more to do at Crocosaurus Cove, from holding a baby croc to exploring its 200,000 litre freshwater aquarium. Learn the difference between an alligator and a crocodile in the World of Crocs, then meet the Top End’s cutest creatures at Turtle Billabong.
Looking for something a little wilder? Check out our list of croc tours from Darwin that take you out into the wild to encounter these amazing reptiles.
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Tickets, Opening Hours & Practical Info
Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit to Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin:
Tickets & Pricing
- General entry starts from around $40 for adults, $32 for seniors and $25 for children (4-15 years). Infants (0-3 years) are free.
- Family passes are available (e.g., combinations of adults and children at reduced rates).
- Special experiences cost extra:
- Cage of Death (face-to-face crocodile dive) is about $195 for one person or $295 for two, and includes full-day entry.
- VIP experiences like the Big Croc Feed start from around $94 (adult).
It’s a good idea to book ticketed experiences in advance, especially for the more popular options.
Hours and Shows
- Open daily from about 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM.
- Last general admission is usually around 5:00 PM.
- It’s typically open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
Shows & Presentations: There’s typically a daily schedule with reptile talks, feeding demonstrations and interactive sessions; times vary, so check when you arrive. See the current schedule.
Crocosaurus Cove is also open year-round, in both the wet and dry seasons, so whenever you make the trip to Darwin, you’re able to get up close and personal to crocs and other Top End wildlife.
Crocosaurus Cove Ticket Discounts
Combine your visit to Crocosaurus Cove with Darwin’s other top attractions, saving money on all tickets.
Tickets:
- The Croc N History Explorer Pass includes Crocosaurus Cove, the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility, and a 24-hour Hop On Hop Off pass.
- The Croc N History Tour includes entry to Crocosaurus Cove and RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility
- The Croc Explorer Tour includes entry to Crocosaurus Cove and a 24-hour Hop On Hop Off pass.
Tips for Visiting Crocosaurus Cove
- Go Early: Crocosaurus Cove can get pretty crowded, especially during peak tourist season. Beat the crowds by getting there early.
- Be Prepared: It is recommended that you spend at least 2-3 hours to take in most of the attractions and shows at Crocosaurus Cove. However you can spend all day at the attraction if you like.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking around, so leave the flip-flops at home.
- Map Out Your Day: Check out the park’s official website for a map of Crocosaurus Cove and it’s top attractions.
- Opening and Closing Times: Crocosaurus Cove opens to the public at 9am and closes at 6pm.
If you have little ones, or you’re trying to maximize your time in Darwin, be sure to book the Croc ‘N History Explorer ticket that combines 3 of Darwin’s top attractions in one ticket.
From towering iconic saltwater giants to every twist and scale of snake life in the Top End, Crocosaurus Cove is an ultimate urban wildlife experience that truly marvels at nature up close. Boasting the world’s largest display of reptiles and some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in Australia, this attraction goes far beyond observation, with interactive encounters, the famous fishing for crocs platform, and shows daily that bring the action to life. If you’re brave enough to bring your bathers, the underwater Cage of Death lets you dive, discover, and lock eyes with a living relic of the prehistoric world—an unforgettable way to experience Darwin’s wild side right in the city.
Norther would like to invite you to explore more about the beauty of Darwin here. And… as always, you can get more inspiration for other National Parks & Destinations to visit by following @northerhq or get your Darwin City daily fix by joining our FB group Darwin We 💙 Love You by Norther®
Heading to the NT? Here’s What You Need to Get Started
Travel Insurance
Whether you’re from Australia or across the globe, it’s a great idea to get insurance to cover unexpected accidents or medical emergencies. AllClear and Cover More are our favourite travel insurance providers to give us the peace of mind while heading to the outback.
Flights
For the best deals on flights, we recommend using Trip.com. It’s super easy to compare prices across different airlines and booking sites. I always find great options for my trips, and it saves me so much time and money!
Hotels
We always recommend using Booking.com for hotels. They have a variety of accommodation options and great filters to help you find the perfect place for your trip to the NT. With amazing deals, a great loyalty program, and the largest selection of hotels and rentals, it’s our favourite place to book rooms.
Tours
Tours, either multi-day, half-day, or private excursions, are a great way to experience the NT. Viator has a great selection of activities to help you travel the Territory and learn from locals.
Car Rental
If you're looking to rent a car to explore the Territory on your own, we suggest checking out Budget. It’s so easy to compare prices and find the best option from their huge selection of cars. Or try Rentalcars.com to see cars from all rental companies in the NT.
National Parks Pass
If you live outside the NT and plan on visiting national parks, you'll need a Parks pass. Choose from a day pass, a 2-week pass, 12-month pass, or family pass at NT.gov.au. If you're an NT resident be sure you bring your NT driver licence or proof of residency. Note: Park Passes are not accepted at Kakadu or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks. Purchase those from Parks Australia.
Sim Card
If you're travelling and need a reliable connection, We'd recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo. Choose from data only or cellular connection. It’s super convenient and helps you stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or paying exorbitant fees to your wireless provider.
