Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is the largest wildlife attraction in Northern Australia and is considered a ‘must see’ for locals, Australian visitors and overseas travellers.

With more than 2.5 kilometres of timber board walks and pathways, the massive property takes you on a journey through eucalypt woodlands, rainforest and wetlands, discovering an authentic wildlife experience.

There’s so much to explore here, including a wildlife discovery trail, a crocodile farm, Hartley’s crocodile lagoon, the Cassowary walk, Gondwana ‘getaway’ and the incomparable Gallery of Living Art.

Sustainability and Environmentally Friendly Initiatives

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is an accredited member of Ecotourism Australia and is the only wildlife park in Australia to be located within and surrounded by a UNESCO World Heritage listed rainforest.

The environmental significance of the location has not only shaped the sympathetic design of Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, but places an onus on the business to operate in a sustainable way to minimise impact on the surrounding landscape. The focus on energy and water conservation in the design of the buildings was formally recognised when Hartley’s received the Harry Marks Award for sustainable architecture.

Rehabilitation of the land commenced five years before the attraction first opened in 2002. Over 7,000 native trees were planted to kick start the restoration of the site. Fire breaks were constructed to manage bush fires and decades of effort have been dedicated to weed eradication.

In many ways, Hartley’s is a ‘land locked island’ forcing it to find, store, manage and treat resources that modern society takes for granted, namely potable water, reliable electricity, sewerage connection, waste removal and digital connectivity.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures operates under an Environmental Management Plan. They are required to monitor  storm water  management, ground water usage, water quality, waste management and site contamination.

Above and beyond this, they also carry out extensive water and energy conservation, waste treatment, soil conservation, environmental rehabilitation, recycling and fire protection initiatives.  See their website for more information on their environmental caretaking efforts.