Crocodiles in Kakadu: A Guide

A whole tenth of the Northern Territory’s crocodile population lives in Kakadu. The Top End is a great opportunity for you to spot crocs. The Northern Territory has the world’s largest crocodile population in the world.

There are over 100,000 crocodiles in the Northern Territory, and over 10,000 of them live in Kakadu. Most of them live in the river estuaries, and the crossings are in the middle.

There are over 10,000 crocodiles in Kakadu.

The crocodiles in Kakadu are known as ‘estuarine crocodiles’ – the Kakadu National Park in itself is home to about 10,000 crocodiles in total.

If you’re looking for a place to see crocodiles in Australia, look no further than the Northern Territory.

• Crocodiles are the biggest reptile species in the world. They can even grow up to twice the length of a Mini Cooper!
• They have an extremely heightened sense of smell, hearing and sight
• Crocodiles are surprisingly fast creatures. On land, crocodiles might look sleepy and slow. But if they have their sights on some prey, they can get a trek on very quickly. Salties can move up to 12-14 kilometres an hour!
• Owning a pet crocodile is legal in the Northern Territory. You need to have a permit and approval from the government before you can get yourself a pet crocodile. Also, they’re pretty dangerous animals – so we’d advise it’s better to buy a croc keyring as a souvenir instead of the real thing.
• Crocs are so iconic in Kakadu that there’s even a crocodile-shaped hotel! The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru is shaped like a crocodile, and it’s become an iconic part of Kakadu’s tourism scene.

Where to spot crocs in Kakadu

Iconic croc-spotting locations in Kakadu National Park:

• Yellow Waters Billabong
• Guluyambi Cruise
• Koolpin Gorge
• Cahills Crossing

Looking for a place to swim? Check out these Kakadu swimming holes.

Visiting the Yellow Waters Billabong

There is an iconic Kakadu estuary called Yellow Waters Billabong…these waters are croc-infested. But don’t worry – the boardwalk on the side allows you a safe refuge away from the crocs! You’ll be a safe distance away, but close enough to be able to spot them from the sidelines. Here you’ll be able to spot crocodiles and look for them safely as they peep out of the surface of the water.

Come and spot crocs with us in Kakadu!

Now we might be biased, but for the sake of safety (as well as unforgettable adventure), we’d recommend joining a tour. Luckily, our experienced guides know a thing or two about travelling across croc-infested waters.

Our adventure tours in Kakadu show you all the crocs! From Cahills Crossing to the Yellow Waters Billabong, our knowledgeable guides show you the best of Kakadu and all of its crocodies.