Hotels near Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is a wildlife park 40 km north of Cairns - the local centre for seeing the saltwater crocodiles that inhabit the rivers and estuaries of North Queensland. The 22-hectare site combines a working crocodile farm (commercial leather production), educational shows, a lagoon cruise where staff feed crocodiles by hand from the boat, and 80+ resident saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. The Australian Wildlife Experience adds cassowaries, koalas, kangaroos, and 30+ snake species.

Admission 49 AUD adult; the lagoon cruise and crocodile feeding shows included. Open daily 08:30-17:00. Half-day visits include the crocodile feeding (twice daily 11:00 and 15:00), the snake show, the cassowary feeding, and the wildlife handler photos with a small saltwater crocodile (45 AUD extra). Half-day shuttle bus packages from Cairns hotels 75 AUD all-in. Wildlife conservation status: legitimate research, no concerns.

Pro Tip: The 11:00 crocodile feeding cruise has the most active animals - the boat passes through the lagoon while handlers feed the resident saltwater crocodiles from the deck (the splashes from a 4-metre croc snapping food are dramatic). Combine with the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas if extending to Port Douglas for a single big-wildlife day.