Adelaide River original jumping crocodile cruises to close amid red tape battle

The Territory’s original jumping crocodile cruises will shut down this month, saying the government has ‘failed’ the business. Here’s why.

One of the Territory’s most renowned tourism attractions and a recognised “Australian icon” will shut up shop this month, saying the NT government has “failed” the business.

Adelaide River Queen Cruises, which operates the original jumping crocodile tours, is set to close at the end of October after 38 years of operation.

The attraction is one of the few places in Australia, and the world, where visitors can safely get up close and personal to one of nature’s most deadly predators.

Owner Tony Blums said the decision to close came amid increasingly unsafe practices on the river and the government’s refusal to change a string of regulations.

“Our family business has built a world-class sustainable animal attraction that has carried more than two million passengers,” he said.

Jumping Crocodile Cruises and Adelaide River Queen Cruises owner and operator Tony Blums.

“We are an Australian icon – last month we featured in the Aussie Big Things series which saw our Jumping Crocodile feature on a release of a $1 coin by the Royal Australian Mint and on a $1.20 stamp by Australia Post.

“The decision to close is taken after receiving negative feedback from our attempts to engage with the NT government.

“We need the NT government to action changes to the regulations which currently make it difficult for us to maintain a consistent level of quality and safety.”

Adelaide River Queen Cruises, which operates the Original Jumping Crocodile Cruises, has been in business since 1985.

Mr Blums has called for the government to restrict the number of operators allowed on the river to just three, as well as create “well-defined operating zones”.

The tourism heavyweight has also been calling for the government to extend the length of feeding permits beyond three years, to provide operators the confidence to invest in their business long-term.

Mr Blums said he would be hard-pressed to “give away” his business, let alone sell it, as crocodile feeding permits could not be transferred to a new owner.

Jumping Crocodile Cruises operates tours from its smaller Pathfinder boat and from its two-storey Adelaide River Queen.

“Our title to the land is also at risk as it cannot be sold without ministerial approval,” he said.

“(It’s) near impossible to attract the capital to make a substantial investment with no surety of tenure or legal ability to continue to operate beyond three years.”

Mr Blums said his decision to close comes after 13 months of “failed” negotiations with NT Parks and Wildlife.

An Environment, Parks and Water Security spokeswoman said the department’s “primary responsibility is with the safety and welfare of the animals”.

“Parks and Wildlife has no jurisdiction over the river itself, therefore Parks and Wildlife cannot stipulate areas of operation,” she said.

A 1.5m Saltwater Crocodile jumping for a feed on Adelaide River.

“We advised the operator longer term permits could be considered, post the review of the Management Program for the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) currently under way.”

The review is set to open to public comment by the end of this year however the spokeswoman did not say when a revised management plan would be in place.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she did not know “specific details” about Mr Blums’ concerns but said government departments worked closely with operators.

“We know that many people visit the Territory hoping to see a crocodile in the wild and so it’s a fantastic offering to have those crocodile cruises,” she said.

“We work with industry to support them and ensure that people uphold the conditions of their license.”