Crocodiles
Crocodiles are extraordinary creatures, having survived since the age of dinosaurs with very few adaptations. Australia is home to only two species of crocodile, but can boast having the largest; the Saltwater Crocodile. Although ‘salties’ can live in the sea, they prefer estuaries and freshwater swamps across northern Australia and will often venture inland during the breeding season. The Saltwater Crocodile lays clutches of 30-70 eggs with the sex of the hatchlings dependent on the temperature at which the eggs are incubated. Kakadu & Arnhem Land and the Daintree River north of Cairns, offers numerous boating opportunities to view Australia’s apex predator.
The Freshwater Crocodile (also known as Johnstone’s Crocodile) lives in rivers, swamps and billabongs also in northern Australia, but is much smaller and generally harmless to humans. They typically lay their eggs around June in the dry season and can be seen congregating in large numbers around waterholes and billabongs. Once hatched, females protect their young from predators such as turtles, raptors, pythons, sea eagles and even large fish.
Search for tours including Crocodiles, using the seasonal viewing opportunities calendar further down the page or find out more at the tour links below:
Daintree & Cape Tribulation Tour Ultimate Nature
Three Day ‘Peek’ Kakadu & Arnhem Land
Six Day Lords Safaris, Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris and Bamurru Plains
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Private Mungo Outback Journey
From $1,680 USD
4 days/ 3 nights
Private Mungo Outback Journey
From $1,680 USD
4 days/ 3 nights
Be captivated by the expansive red sand plains and dunes, riverine ecosystems of the famous Murray and Darling Rivers and the arid land ecosystems around Lake Mungo.
Spot Kangaroos, Emus, Pink Cockatoos, several parrot species including Mulga, Red-rumped, Mallee Ringnecks and Blue-bonnets, raptor birds including the Wedge-tailed Eagle and several... -
Daintree Exclusive
From $1,075 USD
Full Day
Daintree Exclusive
From $1,075 USD
Full Day
This full day tour focuses on the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park, the largest section of tropical rainforest in Australia and oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world. Guests will be mesmerised by the combination of waterfalls, mountain ranges, idyllic streams, deep gorges and dense rainforest, that makes this...
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Three Day Kakadu & Arnhem Land
From $2,065 USD
3 Days/2 Nights
Three Day Kakadu & Arnhem Land
From $2,065 USD
3 Days/2 Nights
This epic tailored adventure across the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land winds across stunning floodplains and escarpments in search of the formidable Saltwater Crocodile, many of the region’s 280 bird species, adorable marsupials and mammals and incredible flora.
The pristine beauty of Fogg Dam, Mary River... -
Outer Reef or Islands Scuba Dive & Snorkel
From $185 USD
Full Day from Exmouth
Outer Reef or Islands Scuba Dive & Snorkel
From $185 USD
Full Day from Exmouth
Discover the wonders of the Muiron Islands and Ningaloo Marine Park, regarded as one of the most beautiful underwater wilderness areas in Australia.
Upon cruising out across the pristine waters, you will spend the day exploring different snorkel and dive sights accessible by boat only, with Dolphins, Rays and Turtles...
Viewing opportunities that include crocodiles
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March,April,May, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
Kakadu & Arnhem Land - Summer Sightings for Reptiles and Amphibians
Crocodiles Saltwater Crocodile, Freshwater Crocodile Lizards Geckos: Rough Knob-tail Gecko, Yellow-snouted Gecko | Dragon Lizards: Frill-necked Lizard, Gilbert's Dragon, Northern Water Dragon, Two-lined Dragon | Goannas: Merten's Water Goanna, Sand Goanna, Yellow-spotted Goanna | Skinks: Fire-tailed Skink, Two-spined Rainbow Skink, Northern Blue-tongued Skink
Turtles Freshwater Turtles: Flatback Turtle, Long-necked Turtle, Pig-nosed Turtle Snakes Pythons: Olive Python, Children Python, Oenpelli Python, Water Python, Black-headed Water Python, Carpet Python | Colubrids: Common Tree Snake, Northern Tree Snake, Golden Tree Snake, Brown Tree Snake, Keelback, Slaty-Grey Snake | Elapids: Mulga Snake, Coastal Taipan, Olive Whipsnake | File Snake: Arafura File Snake
Frogs Tree Frogs: Green Tree Frog, Dahl's Aquatic Frog, Copland's Rock Frog, Roth's Tree Frog, Northern Dwarf Tree Frog, Green Tree Frog, Brown Tree Frog How to find these species
The renowned Frilled-neck Lizard is more active during the wet season, but can still be seen at this time with it’s spectacular frill that encircles its neck when alarmed. Males are larger than females and can reach up to a metre in length. Mertens’ Water Goannas have their young at this time and are a common sight along the billabongs and streams, where they forage for extended periods underwater, feeding on fishes, frogs and crustaceans. Sand and Yellow-spotted Goannas are found further inland across the Savanna woodlands, searching for reptile and bird eggs, invertebrates, lizards and birds.
The beautiful Dahl’s Aquatic Frog is commonly seen on the floodplains at the end of the wet season where they float during the day and bask on lily pads. They are typically green with a beautiful emerald stripe down the middle of the back and are common prey for the Merten’s Water Goanna. The Northern Dwarf Tree Frog, Green Tree Frog and Brown Tree Frog are also common sightings across the region.
Green Tree Snakes, Children Pythons, Banded Tree Snakes and Olive Pythons are more active along the billabongs and floodplains during this time, commonly sighted from the airboats, as are the regions most famous resident, the Saltwater Crocodile.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Crocodiles
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June,July,August, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
As waters begin to recede, Saltwater Crocodiles can be spotted in greater volumes, with small mammals and birds falling victim to ambush attacks along the waters edge, along with region’s most famous fish, the Barramundi. Freshwater Crocodiles are typically found further up the escarpments with females laying a clutch of 4-20 eggs in the sand in August. Unlike Saltwater Crocodiles the females do not guard the nest, however, they will return and excavate the nest when the eggs have hatched around November.
Green Tree Snakes, Children Pythons, Banded Tree Snakes and Olive Pythons are active along the billabongs and floodplains until the end of June, when they become more lackadaisical due to increased heat and dry conditions. One of the most intriguing smaller lizards seen at this time is the Rough Knob-tailed Gecko, with their beautiful rich purple coloured eyes and spiny rosettas across their body a remarkable sight. The Desert Tree Frog, Rocket Frog, Tornier’s Frog, Roth’s Tree Frog, Northern Dwarf Tree Frog and Little Green Tree Frog are some of the more common of the 26 frog species found across the region.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Crocodiles
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September,October,November, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
The largest of all living reptiles is the Saltwater Crocodiles. They are most active at this time due to males and females engaging in courtship. Females will lays eggs between November and March in a nest mound made up of mud and vegetation, typically laying from 30 to 70 eggs. The dry season is the best time to see these prehistoric creatures as their numbers concentrate in shrinking pockets of water.
Freshwater Crocodiles feed on many small animals including fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, rats, bats and birds. ’Freshies’ prefer to stay clear of their Saltwater cousins at this time and inhabit areas above the escarpment in Kakadu.
There are numerous lizards active including the alluring Fire-tailed Skink, with its bright-red tail a beautiful site against the ochre coloured rocks. Sand and Yellow-spotted Goannas, can be seen stalking through the woodlands, with some laying their eggs into the cathedral termite mounds to protect their eggs from the high temperatures. The Copland’s Rock Frog inhabits the rock escarpments and is particularly active along the edges of creeks, with breeding commencing in October.
Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Crocodiles
