LAWD Katherine lists the old Coolibah Crocodile Farm at Bradshaw for sale

It was once home to thousands of salties, but a Katherine real estate agency says these days it is an outdoorsman’s dream, with eight bedrooms, wraparound veranda, and some of the best barra fishing the NT has to offer.

The old Coolibah Crocodile Farm on the banks of the Victoria River at Bradshaw, owned for many years by the Pugh family, has been listed for sale via LAWD Katherine. Picture: Supplied

A former crocodile farm south of Katherine that was reportedly bought out by luxury clothing giant Louis Vuitton has been listed for sale, with the agent describing the asset as an “angler’s paradise” that could go gangbusters on the holiday rental market.

The former Coolibah Crocodile Farm, an 85ha property situated on the banks of the Victoria River at Bradshaw and once home to upwards of 4000 salties, was listed for sale in late October by LAWD Katherine.

The vendor is selling at a bargain basement price, with offers over $700,000 considered.

According to the listing, the main lodge features seven bedrooms, two recently upgraded bathrooms, a new kitchen, and a wraparound veranda, while there is also a smaller one-bedroom guesthouse with a bathroom and living space.

Other infrastructure at the property includes a 65kVA generator and 50kVA backup, a large cool room, ample shed space, two 250,000 litre water tanks, and four reliable bores.

The old Coolibah Crocodile Farm on the banks of the Victoria River at Bradshaw, owned for many years by the Pugh family, has been listed for sale via LAWD Katherine. Picture: Supplied

LAWD Katherine described the farm as “ideal wilderness retreat... with stunning escarpment views that provide the ultimate backdrop for relaxation and adventure”.

“Whether you’re looking to create an unforgettable safari lodge, a remote tourism destination, or a peaceful getaway, this property offers limitless possibilities to tap into,” the listing states.

LAWD Katherine agent Eline Wesselink said the farm was developed in the 1990s by renowned croc expert Bluey Pugh and wife Janelle, who operated it for decades before the farm’s reported sale to Louis Vuitton in the mid-2010s.

Crocodile farmers Bluey and Janelle Pugh depicted in 2003 during a flooding emergency at Victoria River. Picture: File

“We are targeting buyers that are looking for fishing lodge or a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life,” Ms Wesselink said.

“It’s a great opportunity for someone to own a substantial freehold property – which is very rare in this part of the Northern Territory – with spectacular escarpment surrounding and direct access to the Victoria River.

“The huge homestead is ideal for accommodating large groups.

“The interest that we have had so far is from high-net-worth individuals looking for a dry season ‘playground’ to go fishing and have their private safari lodge.”

'Bunk' (full name unknown) and Roger Matthews (who went on to establish Triple C Crocodile Catching Contractors) skinning crocodiles at the Coolibah Crocodile Farm in the 1990s. Picture: Supplied

Ms Wesselink’s colleague Olivia Thompson described the Old Coolibah Crocodile Farm as an “angler’s paradise”, while the quality of fishing was also attested to by the Pughs’ daughter Raine, who wrote in 2015 the farm had “access to some of the best barramundi fishing in the Top End”.

Angler’s paradise: The Bradshaw farm has direct access to the wild Victoria River. Picture: Supplied

Whenever she would visit her parents’ farm, her chores would include catching 1m salties to take to market in Darwin, mincing meat for their feed, hosing out the crocodile pens, and hatching eggs in the incubator.

It is not known when the crocodile farm ceased operations.

According to NT government figures, crocodile farming was worth $25m per annum to the Territory economy in 2019–20 and the Territory is responsible for growing two-thirds of Australia’s trade in croc skins.

Originally published as LAWD Katherine lists the old Coolibah Crocodile Farm at Bradshaw for sale