Crocosaurus Cove

Crocosaurus Cove
A large saltwater crocodile seen through under-water viewing glass at Crocosaurus Cove
Map
12°27′44″S 130°50′21″E / 12.46222°S 130.83917°E / -12.46222; 130.83917
Date opened2008
LocationMitchell Street, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Land area50,000 square feet
No. of species70+
OwnerMick Burns
Websitewww.crocosauruscove.com

Crocosaurus Cove is a crocodile (and other reptile) herpetarium and aquarium attraction located in an indoor-outdoor complex in the city district of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Its main focus, as the facility's name indicates, is the crocodile, a common animal in northern Australia.

The park says it has "the World's largest display of Australian reptiles", and most of its reptiles are from the Top End of the Northern Territory and the Kimberley and desert regions of Australia.[1] Other than crocodiles, the attraction features many other reptiles, including venomous snakes like the king brown and inland taipan, and a large number of Australian pythons. It is the only public facility in the world that features the extremely rare Oenpelli python – the longest snake found in the Northern Territory.[2]

It also has a 200,000-litre freshwater aquarium with freshwater whiprays, baramundi, turtles, and various other Australian fauna.[3]

The owner, Mick Burns, is also the owner of Darwin Crocodile Farm.[4][5][6]

Crocodiles

The facility has a considerable number of saltwater crocodiles, including the 700-kg and 5.1-metre-long male Burt, who appeared in 1986 movie Crocodile Dundee and made news in 2018 for 'psychic predictions' outcomes of the 2018 Soccer World Cup by reaching up and grabbing photographs of players, which was seen as match and player performance 'predicting'. The facility has also had success with breeding and hatching baby crocodiles, including in July 2022 with baby crocodiles hatched to parent crocodiles female Kate and male William. One of the things most well known at the facility which has especially attracted visitors is a 'cage of death' experience where paying visitors can swim in water with large crocodiles while protected from physical contact with them by being enclosed behind a glass safety dome.

On 23 December 2024, Crocosaurus Cove announced the death of Burt. He was estimated to be 90 years old.[7]

Species kept

Species kept and displayed at the facility are listed below.

Reptiles

Crocodiles

Lizards

Snakes

Turtles

Amphibians

Fish

Photo gallery
  • Infant saltwater crocodiles on display
    Infant saltwater crocodiles on display
  • Saltwater crocodiles on display
    Saltwater crocodiles on display
  • Saltwater crocodiles on display
    Saltwater crocodiles on display
  • Western brown snake on display
    Western brown snake on display
  • Inland bearded dragons on display
    Inland bearded dragons on display

References

  1. ^ https://www.crocosauruscove.com/plan-your-day/attractions/reptile-house/ Archived 2024-06-11 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL]
  2. ^ https://www.crocosauruscove.com/explore-the-nocturnal-house/ Archived 2024-12-11 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL]
  3. ^ https://www.crocosauruscove.com/plan-your-day/attractions/#aquarium Archived 2024-06-11 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL]
  4. ^ Karen McGhee (12 July 2022). "yes crocodiles can be cute". australiangeographic.com.au. Australian Geographic. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  5. ^ James Dunlevie (3 May 2015). "break in at Darwin crocodile tourist park". abc.net.au. ABC. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  6. ^ Lauren Roberts (16 June 2018). "Burt the psychic croc predicts huge Aussie upset at world cup". ntnews.com.au. NT News. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  7. ^ Newey, Sarah (2024-12-23). "Tributes paid to Crocodile Dundee star with 'challenging personality'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-12-23.