Hartley's Crocodile Adventures — Attraction in Wangetti

Great Day out for Kids and Adults!

What an incredible experience for the day - a well run polished operation that is interesting, fun, busy, as well as educational. All the staff were lovely and friendly from the informative Mario on the boat tour, Yvonne and Bernadette at reception; and Oscar risking his life feeding Hagrid - one of the largest crocodiles over 4 metres in length!

Even being a local, I was impressed by this Tourism business located just 40 minutes from Cairns, so a beautiful scenic drive along the coast towards Port Douglas. It was a really busy day yesterday at the Park, but there was plenty of room to see the shows, get on the boat ride and sit down at a table for lunch. This business planned well for the numbers they received through the gate today, putting on extra boats, shows and providing extra seating for lunch!

There are so many crocodiles to see in this Park, in their natural habitat, as well as learning about their behaviour at the shows. We went to 2 crocodile shows. The Crocodile Attack show was really impressive showing the head thrusts and body roll of a crocodile, after they have snatched their prey. I was shocked at how well these massive creatures can hide themselves in the shallowest of water, so it was a real eye opener and we learnt quite a lot about their behaviour seeing safely first hand from our seats. Will definitely not be swimming in any more murky water!

The snake show was also great learning about the several venomous snakes we have in Australia and refreshing our first aid skills on snake bites, was also extremely helpful. The snake exhibition was also interesting with the number of venomous snakes that were on display and quite active.

Both of the zookeepers who ran the shows were highly entertaining and the kids were very involved with lots of questions, so very interactive.

Lunch at the park was really good, very large portions and great value for money. I had the squid (yum) and my daughter had the vegetarian focaccia which was perfect to fill our hungry tummies.

My 11 year old son was keen to get a photo holding a koala and what a great experience for him and a great photo! Well worth the fee to obtain the memory and give back to the park in looking after these beautiful creatures.

If you need wifi during the day, the signal is a little scarce around the park, so you will need to go back around the reception area to gain an internet signal. But who needs to be online while surrounded by this amazing experience, except of course to share all the photos with family and friends! Also there are warnings to ensure you book your Uber and taxi for a return trip and not leave it to late in the afternoon as they will be scarce.

The day was quite busy, the shows are scheduled so you can just go from one show to the other with a quick visit to each area in between shows! We saw the 2 crocodile shows, the snake show and the cassowary feeding. So it was a full day. We got there at 11am and stayed until 4.30pm. I even picked up a great new handbag on my way out of the park from the Gift Shop. Some beautiful bags made from crocodile leather, though expect to pay for such an exquisite accessory.

Also another great offer by the Park was if you did not see everything in the one day, you can go back over the next 2 days for free to see everything you missed.

We missed the crocodile farming session, so I will have to save that for next time, maybe tomorrow! We will definitely be back, such great memories...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Must-Visit Wildlife Adventure! I recently visited this incredible wildlife sanctuary, and it was an unforgettable experience! This place is a haven for Australian wildlife, featuring everything from majestic saltwater crocodiles to cassowaries, kangaroos, koalas, snakes, lizards, and a variety of native birds scattered throughout the park. The setup is perfect for animal lovers, with plenty of interactive areas where you can get up close and personal with the animals, petting and holding snakes, lizards, birds, and even koalas was a highlight for our group! The crocodile feeding boat tour was an absolute standout. It’s seamlessly integrated into your visit, and the thrill of watching these powerful creatures in action is something you have to see for yourself. The crocodile exhibition was particularly jaw-dropping, with the keeper delivering some truly memorable moments (no spoilers here, but I’ve included videos in my review, trust me, it’s worth experiencing in person!). The staff are phenomenal, knowledgeable, engaging, and full of personality. Every tour and presentation we attended was packed with fascinating facts and delivered with infectious enthusiasm. They answered all our questions with ease and made the experience even more enjoyable. The park’s accessibility is another huge plus. My disabled grandfather joined us, and the wheelchair-friendly paths made it easy for him to navigate. The three-day pass is an incredible value, you can register when you leave and return within three days to catch anything you missed. This was perfect for us, as we could take oedema take a break and return the next day to explore more without feeling rushed. The sanctuary also features stunning Indigenous art displays throughout, adding a beautiful cultural touch to the experience. While the food options were tasty (the fish and chips were a hit!), the wait times were a bit long, so I’d recommend bringing snacks or sandwiches if you want to save time. Parking was a breeze, and the entire park is thoughtfully designed for accessibility. Whether you’re an animal enthusiast, a family looking for a fun outing, or just curious about Australia’s unique wildlife, this sanctuary is a must visit. We left with huge smiles and unforgettable memories, can’t...

An Absolute Must Do in Far North Queensland

I was not sure what to expect before visiting Hartleys Crocodile Adventures but it completely exceeded my expectations. It is one of those places that manages to be exciting, fun and educational all at once.

The highlight for me was definitely the crocodile lagoon cruise. Sitting on a covered boat, drifting across the water, and then suddenly watching a huge saltwater crocodile launch out of the river during feeding is something I will never forget. Seeing them in their natural environment rather than behind glass gave me a real appreciation for how powerful and fascinating these animals are.

The wildlife shows throughout the day were also excellent. The keepers were not just knowledgeable, they were entertaining too. They mixed humor with facts in a way that kept everyone engaged, from children to adults. I walked away with a much better understanding of crocodile behavior, snake safety and the importance of conservation in Australia.

What surprised me most was how much more there was to see beyond the crocodiles. The cassowary feeding was incredible. Those birds look almost prehistoric and play such an important role in the rainforest. I also loved spotting wallabies, koalas, lizards and many native birds while wandering along the boardwalks. It really feels like a mini safari tucked into the rainforest.

The whole park is well set up and easy to explore, with plenty of shaded areas and places to rest. The cafe was a pleasant surprise too, with fresh food and good coffee at reasonable prices for a major attraction.

What really made the experience special was the passion of the staff. You can tell they care deeply about the animals and about helping visitors understand why these species matter. That made the visit feel meaningful as well as fun.

If you are in Cairns or Port Douglas this is an absolute must do. It is not just another tourist attraction but an adventure that leaves you with a mix of adrenaline, laughter and a real appreciation for Australias wildlife. I would return...