Crocosaurus Cove

What Crocosaurus Cove does

Crocosaurus Cove is a privately-held, single-site wildlife tourism attraction located at 58 Mitchell Street in the heart of Darwin CBD, Northern Territory, Australia. Founded on 15 July 2008 by Darwin businessmen Doug Gamble and Mick Burns as a A$32 million venture, the attraction occupies a 3-storey building on 5,000 m² spanning almost an entire city block. Its core product centres on saltwater crocodiles and the world's largest display of Australian reptiles (70+ species), featuring signature experiences including Australia's only crocodile dive (the Cage of Death, A$197 per person), the Big Croc Feed VIP Experience, Whipray Encounter, Hold a Baby Croc, Fishing for Crocs, Swim with the Crocs, and a 200,000-litre freshwater aquarium. The facility runs nine daily presentations and operates 9am–6pm year-round.

The business monetises through a diversified ticket and event-based revenue model. Primary streams include general admission tickets (A$42 adult), premium add-on experiences, an annual Locals Pass subscription for NT residents, corporate and private functions (up to 1,000 cocktail or 260 seated guests), weddings, kids birthday parties, the Junior Reptile Ranger school-holiday program, professional photography services, gift vouchers, and combo-ticket bundles with Darwin Harbour Cruises, the RFDS Tourist Facility, and Darwin Big Bus. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the official website (Rezdy booking platform), on-site walk-ins, group bookings (10+), a travel-agent wholesale portal, and earned media through hosted TV, radio, and political events. The company serves a fragmented mix of interstate and international tourists, families with children, K-12 school groups, corporate event planners, and NT-resident locals, with no disclosed enterprise anchor accounts.

Crocosaurus Cove Pty Ltd remains founder-owned and operated with no external private equity, no subsidiaries, and no public listing. The company employs 51–100 staff across animal care, aquarium/life support, reptile handling, sales and marketing, and functions/events. Channel partnerships with 20+ Darwin businesses anchor the Locals Pass ecosystem, while combo-ticket alliances with three other Darwin attractions position the venue as a central node in the local tourist itinerary. No revenue, visitor count, or ARR figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Crocosaurus Cove

Legal name

Crocosaurus Cove Pty Ltd

Website

https://crocosauruscove.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Crocosaurus Cove is a privately-held, single-site wildlife tourism attraction in Darwin CBD, founded 2008, featuring saltwater crocodiles and the world's largest display of Australian reptiles. It serves tourists, families, schools, and corporate clients via ticketed entry, the Cage of Death crocodile dive, and event venue hire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife tourism and visitor attractions

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Wildlife tourism attraction
• Crocodile dive experiences
• Reptile exhibits zoo
• Function and event venue
• Aquarium and animal encounters

Headquarters

HQ city

Darwin

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Day entry tickets to the attraction providing access to all shows, exhibits, and reptile presentations. Valid for full day with wristband for re-entry.
2. Premium Experiences (Cage of Death, VIP Tours, Whipray Encounter): High-margin add-on experiences including Australia's only crocodile dive (Cage of Death), Big Croc Feed VIP Experience, and Whipray Encounter - each including full day entry
3. Functions and Events Venue Hire: Corporate events, weddings, Christmas parties, and seated events hosted at the venue with capacities up to 1000 guests cocktail style or 260 seated
4. Locals Pass Annual Membership: Annual unlimited entry pass for NT residents at single admission price with partner discounts at Darwin attractions, restaurants, and tour operators
5. Photography Services: Professional photos of visitors holding baby crocodiles and animal encounter photos available for purchase
6. Gift Shop and Vouchers: Gift vouchers for various experiences and potentially crocodile leather products

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Crocosaurus Cove operates a single-location urban wildlife tourism attraction in Darwin CBD featuring saltwater crocodiles and over 70 species of Australian reptiles. The attraction sells day-entry tickets, premium crocodile encounter experiences (including Australia's only crocodile dive, the Cage of Death), educational programs, function venue hire, combo attraction passes, annual locals memberships, and ancillary services such as professional animal encounter photography and gift vouchers.

Product overview

Crocosaurus Cove is a single-location wildlife attraction in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, opened in 2008. The core offering centers on Australia's iconic saltwater crocodiles with experiences ranging from the extreme Cage of Death (crocodile dive) to family-friendly encounters. The product portfolio includes: core ticketed experiences (Cage of Death, Big Croc Feed VIP Experience, Whipray Encounter, Park Entry); permanent attractions (Reptile House with 70+ reptile species, Freshwater Aquarium, Fishing for Crocs, Swim with the Crocs, Hold a Baby Croc, Turtle Billabong); educational programs (Junior Reptile Ranger Program for kids); event venues (Business Events, Seated Events, Christmas Functions, Weddings); combo ticket packages (Croc n History, Croc Explorer, Croc n History Explorer, Croc n Cruise); and ancillary services (Birthday Parties, Gift Vouchers, Animal Encounter Photos, Locals Pass). The attraction operates 9 daily reptile shows and is marketed as the world's largest display of Australian reptiles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cage of Death Australia's only crocodile dive experience, where visitors enter a controlled underwater cage to come face-to-face with some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in captivity. Includes full day park entry. For ages 15+ (under 18 with adult accompaniment and photo ID).
• Big Croc Feed VIP Experience Guided VIP tour where participants feed massive saltwater crocodiles under supervision, with express entry to Fishing for Crocs and a tour of the Reptile House. Includes full day park entry. Tour times 10am and 1pm; minimum 2 passengers required.
• Whipray Encounter Interactive experience where guests hand-feed friendly 2-metre-wide freshwater whiprays guided by experienced handlers, included as part of the afternoon Aquarium show. Maximum 4 guests per tour; minimum age 10. Includes full day park entry.
• Park Entry (General Admission) Full day entry to Crocosaurus Cove, including access to all shows, reptile house, freshwater aquarium, turtle billabong, fishing for crocs platform, and swim with the crocs pool. Valid for full day with wristband for re-entry. Tiered adult / senior / child / family pricing.
• Reptile House Permanent attraction housing the world's largest display of Australian reptiles with over 70 species, featuring daily hands-on shows where visitors can hold reptiles including Blue tongue lizards, olive pythons and Western bearded dragons.
• Freshwater Aquarium 200,000 litre freshwater aquarium modeled on a typical Top End river system, home to Barramundi, Whiprays, Archer Fish and Turtles, with daily feeding shows.
• Fishing for Crocs
• Swim with the Crocs
• Hold a Baby Croc
• Junior Reptile Ranger Program
• Kids Birthday Parties
• Business Events Venue Hire
• Seated Events Venue Hire
• Christmas Functions
• Weddings Venue Hire
• Croc n History Combo Pass
• Croc Explorer Combo Ticket
• Croc n History Explorer Combo Pass
• Croc n Cruise Combo Ticket
• Locals Pass Annual Membership
• Gift Vouchers
• Animal Encounter Photography

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Darwin Harbour CruisescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint offering for Croc n Cruise package combining Crocosaurus Cove entry with 1.5-hour Darwin Harbour cruise aboard the Charles Darwin. Cruise available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Also offers upgraded package with Territory Tasting Plate lunch. Both experiences valid for same day or within 30-day period.
• RFDS Tourist FacilitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint Croc n History package providing entry to both Crocosaurus Cove and the Royal Flying Doctor Service & Bombing of Darwin Harbour Tourist Facility. Each component valid within 30 days of first use. Suggested itinerary 10am Crocosaurus Cove / 3pm RFDS.
• Darwin Big BusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint Croc Explorer package combining Crocosaurus Cove entry with 24-hour Hop On Hop Off Darwin Big Bus pass. Bus operates daily in dry season; Monday, Wednesday, Saturday only during wet season (October-March). Valid within 30-day period.
• Locals Pass Partner NetworkminorGTM or Marketing Partner20+ Darwin businesses including tour operators (Airborne Solutions, Top End Safari Camp, Darwin Adventure Boats, Kakadu Air, Litchfield Park Adventures), restaurants (Dukes Cafe, Wharf One, Bella Fresh Pasta), accommodation (Metro Advance, Novotel Darwin CBD), attractions (Royal Flying Doctors Service), and activities (00Seven Adventures, Walk Darwin). Crocosaurus Cove Locals Pass holders receive 10-15% discounts or complimentary items.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Australia Zoo: Iconic Queensland wildlife park founded by the Irwin family, offering a much broader range of Australian and exotic animals including crocodiles. Competes for international tourists seeking iconic Australian wildlife experiences.
• Taronga Zoo Sydney: Major Australian zoo with extensive reptile collection, premium animal encounters (behind-the-scenes tours, Roar and Snore), and corporate event venue capabilities. Comparable across core zoo operations, premium experiences, and event hosting.

Direct peers

• Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome: Tropical North Queensland wildlife dome in the CBD offering crocodile encounters and zipline experiences. Comparable as a regional Australian wildlife attraction selling adventure-style animal experiences to tourists.
• SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium: Sydney's major aquarium featuring Australian marine life including sharks, rays, and reef species. Comparable in operating a 200,000-litre-class freshwater/marine aquarium with daily feeding presentations.
• Hartley's Crocodile Adventures: Queensland crocodile-focused attraction with daily crocodile shows, boat cruises, and wildlife encounters. Direct competitor in the Australian crocodile-tourism category, offering similar hands-on reptile experiences.
• Territory Wildlife Park: Top End wildlife park featuring native Australian fauna including reptiles, fish, and birds in naturalistic habitats. Competes for the same NT tourist and family visitor base seeking wildlife experiences around Darwin.
• WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo: CBD-located Australian wildlife zoo operated by Merlin Entertainments featuring kangaroos, koalas, and reptiles. Comparable as an urban wildlife attraction selling ticketed interactive encounters in a major Australian city.
• Crocodylus Park: Darwin-based wildlife park also focused on saltwater crocodiles and reptiles with daily shows and breeding programs. Operates in the same Darwin tourism market and competes directly for the same crocodile-curious visitor segment.
• Reptile Park (Australian Reptile Park): Central Coast NSW wildlife park specializing in Australian reptiles, spiders, and snakes with daily shows and venom-milking programs. Closest peer in terms of reptile-collection depth and education-led positioning.

Regional players

• Adelaide Zoo: Major Australian zoological park offering VIP animal encounters, function venues, and curriculum-aligned education programs. Comparable on education program design and corporate event capabilities, though serving a different regional market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Crocosaurus.Cove
• Instagraminstagram.com/crocosauruscove
• Xx.com/crocosauruscove
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crocosaurus-cove

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Crocosaurus Cove