Take a walk on the wild side with these crocodile encounters in Queensland

Get better acquainted with the life’s work of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast. An educational experience awaits you here where you’ll spend the day gazing in admiration at the impressive collection of crocs gathered, including the much-loved 5 metre saltwater crocodile Agro.

After something interactive? Take part in the live feeding, where you’ll see the size and strength of the reptile in action.

3. Koorana Croc Farm

Found yourself in Rockhampton? Then you can’t afford to miss a visit to one of the best places for a crocodile encounter in Queensland - Kooroona Crocodile Farm.

John and Lillian Lever launched the first commercial croc farm in the state here back in 1981. Today it’s home to around 3000 reptiles, able to view on tour both day and night. Not to mention the souvenirs you can take home with you - there’s a gift shop boasting handbags, hats, belts and the like all made from croc leather.

4. Bruce Belchers Croc Tour

Make the most of Bruce’s 32 years of experience cruising the Daintree Rainforest for a waterway tour that guarantees you’ll spot a croc or two.

The hour-long wildlife-focused foray with Bruce Belcher's Daintree River Cruises departs from his private property, and winds its way through the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland. Sit back and relax as you wind your way along the banks of the Daintree River, taking in plenty of croc spotting, alongside the exotic birds, fish and snakes that also call this region home.

5. Green Island's Marineland Crocodile Park

It’s not just coral that you’ll be able to get better acquainted with while on the Great Barrier Reef. But on Green Island near Cairns you’ll find Marineland Croc Park, the family owned and operated business that can claim to be the only coral cay boasting crocodiles.

Among this place’s impressive collection of reptiles is Cassius - the largest captive crocodile in the world at 5.5 metres and 1,300kg, and around 113 years in age.

6. Whitsundays Crocodile Safari

Forget about spending your next holiday sailing your way around the idyllic cluster of islands dubbed the Whitsundays - spend some time with the crocs there instead.

Join Whitsundays Safari back on the mainland on a guided tour around neighbouring Proserpine’s wild estuaries and wetlands, places littered with crocodiles.

7. Billabong Sanctuary

It’s in Townsville that you’ll find the Billabong Sanctuary, where a bounty of Australian fauna reside. Among your chance to cuddle a wombat and a koala lies an opportunity to hold a baby croc for yourself.

Or keep a safe distance, and choose to see the gathering of saltwater and freshwater crocodiles being fed instead, including 5.1 metre long Krakatoa.

8. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Bound for the Gold Coast? It’s in this beach-favouring district that you’ll find the heritage-listed Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

While it was built back in 1947 it wasn’t until the 1980s that it welcomed one of its most famous residents - Boss Hog, the 5 metre Saltwater Crocodile captured in Far North Queensland for killing a prize-winning Brahman stud. You can get up close and personal with Boss Hog by feeding him his lunch (a chicken on a pole) from 12.30pm daily. Spending the day? Check out this Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary guide.

9. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Nestling the northern part of Cairns is Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Jump aboard one of their many trusty vessels and trundle your way through the waterways, taking in the many resident crocodiles as you go.

Not enough action for you? You’ll be able to see the crocodiles propel themselves out of the water to capture their lunches off a pole.

Wildlife Habitat