Joanna James
One of the most fascinating things about the Northern Territory that awes visitors are the crocodiles. When you meet them up-close, crocodiles look like something left behind from prehistoric times. Darwin is home to both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles. Here's where you can see them.
This is a wildlife park where children can get interactive with the crocodiles. Crocosaurus Cove is located in the centre of Darwin just three minutes' drive from Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel. You can take a complete tour of the park that lets you watch the largest crocs being fed, feed the baby crocodiles yourself and also swim with crocodiles in the aptly named, "Cage of Death." But don't worry, no one will be dying.
Crocodylus Park is the place for you if you want to spend a little more time getting up close and personal with crocs. It is a 15-minute drive outside of Darwin and you can learn extensively about crocodiles while here. It is the place for older children who are obsessed with learning interesting facts about crocodiles. The Eco Cruise and Croc Cruise will enable you to join in withholding baby animals including crocodiles, snakes, lizards and baby turtles. You will get watch the older ones being fed and get enough of small-scale safari experience.
If you are staying longer and have found yourself some serviced apartments in Darwin, you can also consider taking the kids out to Adelaide River's Jumping Crocodiles. The crocs aren't called jumping crocodiles because they are a separate species but because they will jump some mind-blowing heights to catch their food. The Adelaide River is the only river where feeding is permitted so you can see several of these jumping dinosaurs on a river cruise.
Adelaide River is on the way to Kakadu National Park which is home to 10,000 crocodiles. You can take the Mary River wetland and floodplains cruise which is rumoured to contain the largest number of saltwater crocodiles in the world. Or you could take the Yellow Water billabong, which is perfect for sunrises and sunsets, a cruise that will have you gasping in awe at the beautiful landscapes backlit by the sun.
Even though the crocodiles at Territory Wildlife Park, Berry Springs are in enclosures, the experience itself doesn't get any less amazing. You will find that you can walk through a tunnel that is situated under an aquarium and you can see freshwater crocodiles swimming above you in their natural habitat. There is also a lagoon nearby where you can spot the monstrous 11-foot long saltwater crocodile and head next door to Berry Springs Nature Park which has a great, crocodile-free swimming spot and waterfall that is open only during the season. It is a great way to end your adventure in Darwin getting up close and personal with crocodiles and enjoying the beauty of nature.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
