Caged in with the crocs

LOOKING for adventure with plenty of bite? Get up close and smile at a crocodile, all within the heart of Darwin.

Croc diving / Justin Sanson

IF YOU have a few days to spend at the Top End and you're looking for an up-close-and-personal experience with a crocodile, but don't have a lot of time, then the recently opened Crocosaurus Cove could be the place for you.

Located on the corner of Mitchell and Peel streets, Crocosaurus Cove is right in the heart of Darwin.

Crocosaurus Cove isn't large but, to make the most of the space it has, the reptiles can be viewed from a variety of levels.

One of the crocs, Burt, is more than 5m long, weighs over 700kg and is thought to be more than 80 years old. He was captured in 1981 in the Reynolds River and went on to star in the movie Crocodile Dundee.

To view the crocs from above, there's a staircase which has an aquarium wrapped around it and leads to the next level.

The first floor is the place to head to if you're looking for adventure. It's here you can take a ride in The Cage of Death and be lowered into a croc pen while inside an acrylic cage.

For those too young to go in the cage, or not feeling adventurous, there's a swimming area alongside a croc pen that allows you to swim close to a crocodile while separated by the clear walls of the enclosure.

If you want to get out of the Northern Territory heat for a while, check out the World of Crocodiles. This enclosed, airconditioned exhibit has displays of crocodilians from all over the planet.

The Reptile House also is situated on the first floor, and Crocosaurus Cove claims it's the largest display of Australian reptiles in the world.

The first floor has an Indigenous Cultural display located at the entrance to the World of Crocodiles. There's also a food court and a cafe and, for young children or those young at heart, there's a display of juvenile crocs.

The third floor includes a turtle sanctuary and a large viewing deck, which can be booked for functions. It's from this level, with its metropolitan views, that you're reminded that Darwin's heart is only a step away.

OPEN
From 8am to 6pm every day.

COST
Adults $28; children (4 to 14) $16; concession $22. Cage of Death costs $120 (one person), $160 (two people). Cage of Death participants need to be 15 years of age or more. Anyone between the ages of 15 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.