Unveiling the saltwater crocodiles of Daintree Rainforest, Australia

Saltwater Crocodiles are perceived as one of the scariest and most dangerous animals in Australia. Popularised and made famous by the movie “Crocodile Dundee and the TV show “The Crocodile Hunter” with Steve Irwin, Australia’s crocodiles fascinate and terrify with their naturally aggressive behaviour.

It is possible to see crocodiles safely and ethically in the wild in Australia. A wildlife cruise on the Daintree River in Australia is a great way to do this and it’s also a highlight of visiting the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland.

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Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree is a pristine and unique part of Australia and one of the best places to see crocodiles in the wild. The Daintree River in the far north of Queensland separates the upper and the lower areas of the Daintree Rainforest.

This is one of the oldest surviving rainforests in the world, dating back over 135 million years, covering an area of approximately 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles).

The Daintree Rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its remarkable biodiversity and unique ecosystem.

You can visit on a day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas and enjoy a peaceful hour or two on the river immersing yourself in the natural world of the rainforest. 

Daintree River

The Daintree River receives water from tropical monsoonal rains. This abundant rainfall generates a powerful flow of freshwater from the upper part of the river, which eventually merges with the saltwater at the river mouth as it empties into the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef during high tide.

On a Daintree River Wildlife cruise, you’ll see lots of crocodiles in their natural environment sunning themselves on the riverbanks. It’s unlikely you’ll see a crocodile attacking its prey or feeding but you will see wild crocodiles and learn all about them with an expert guide who has some great stories to tell and knows the local crocs by name.  

On a cruise along the river, you’ll see lots of birds and other wildlife besides the crocodiles as you move slowly through the thick mangroves that make up this unique ecosystem.

Saltwater crocodile habitats 

Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are indigenous species found in the rivers and estuaries in the tropical areas of Australia. They can be found on the east coast in far north Queensland from Gladstone to the northern tip of Australia, and in the Northern Territory in Australia’s top end.

Crocodiles prefer the quiet murky waters of tidal rivers and estuaries, but they can and do swim out to sea and can be found in both fresh and saltwater.  Crocodiles are territorial and like to roam. They sometimes venture outside typical Croc country and have been spotted as far as 500 kilometres south of their usual Daintree habitat.  

Saltwater crocodiles of Daintree River   

Crocodiles are the largest reptiles in the world. They have elongated, powerful jaws lined with sharp teeth. Their bodies grow up to 5 metres long and are covered with thick skin and scales. Their short legs have webbed feet with claws and their eyes sit on top of their head. The eyes are the only part of the crocodile that can be seen when its body is submerged. 

Crocodiles hide themselves under the water while they stalk their prey.  They spend a lot of time in the water and tend to live in rivers, lakes, and wetlands, but they can also travel several kilometres over land. They are mostly nocturnal animals, and they are cold-blooded. They enjoy warming themselves in the sun and can be spotted on the riverbanks during the daytime. 

Crocodiles are top predators that feed on fish like barramundi and other animals that come to the river to drink. They grab the animal with their jaw and swallow it whole. With larger prey, they take the unfortunate animal into a death roll and hold it under the water until it drowns. While crocodiles can and do attack humans who venture into their territory, they prefer smaller prey.  

Saltwater crocs are aggressive and territorial and defend themselves violently. Young adult males who are not yet large enough to win a challenge against an older male tend to migrate away to establish their own hunting grounds and to mate. Crocodiles are more easily spotted during the mating season in October and November, and they tend to nest from December to April. 

How to see saltwater crocodiles in Australia  

Crocodiles are dangerous wild animals and will attack if they get the chance so it’s important to follow safety instructions and read the signage if you venture into crocodile territory. Keep away from the edge of the water near rivers and beaches and don’t swim unless it’s safe to do so.  

To see crocodiles in their natural environment it’s best to go on an organised wildlife tour with an experienced guide. Not only will you spot crocodiles and other wildlife, but you’ll learn all about these amazing reptiles as well.  

The tours all take place in the conservation area of the river and this means the crocodiles are not baited or fed.

The best places to see crocodiles in the wild are:  

• On a Wildlife cruise on the Daintree River in the Daintree Rainforest in far north Queensland  
• On a Yellow Water cruise in Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory.  
• In Katherine Gorge in the Nitmuluk National Park in the Northern Territory 

Best time of year to see crocodiles

The best time of year to see crocodiles is during the dry season from May to October. The wet season brings heavy rain and flooding, and roads and national parks are often inaccessible. Crocodiles can wander at this time of year and are even more dangerous. 

From May to October the weather is cooler and it’s a more pleasant time of year for croc spotting in the tropical parts of Australia. It’s also a better time to visit other attractions in far north Queensland such as the beautiful tropical islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Stunning Green Island in Queensland is the home of Cassius, a huge old croc who is more than 100 years old and you can see him on a day trip from Cairns to Green Island. 

How many Crocodiles are there in the Daintree River?

There are estimated to be about 70 adult crocodiles in the Daintree River. In addition to this, there are numerous juveniles and hatchlings adding to the population in the river.

Crocodiles at Australia Zoo

While you can see crocodiles in captivity in many zoos around the country, Australia Zoo has daily live shows in their Crocoseum, a huge stadium specially built to show crocodiles to a large audience. The home of the Crocodile Hunter, Australia Zoo near Brisbane in Queensland is dedicated to educating the public and is deeply involved in wildlife conservation. It’s one of the best places to see crocodiles in captivity and to learn all about them. 

Conservation of saltwater crocodiles

Crocodiles were hunted for their valuable skins until they were almost extinct in Australia in the 1970s. But they are now a protected species and Government conservation efforts have seen a dramatic increase in numbers. Although they are still considered to be a vulnerable species, an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 crocodiles now live in the National Parks of Queensland and numbers are increasing.  

Daintree River saltwater crocodile facts

The Daintree Rainforest in Australia is home to a large population of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). These crocodiles are the largest living reptiles in the world, and they can grow up to 5 metres long.

Saltwater crocodiles are apex predators, and they are found in a variety of habitats, including rivers, estuaries, and the ocean. They are opportunistic feeders, and their diet consists of a wide variety of animals, including fish, turtles, birds, and even mammals.

Saltwater crocodiles are an important part of the Daintree ecosystem. They help to control populations of prey animals.

Saltwater crocodiles are dangerous to humans, and there have been a number of fatal attacks in the Daintree. As a result, it is important to be aware of the risks when visiting the rainforest.

There are a number of things you can do to stay safe around saltwater crocodiles, including:

• Never swim in crocodile-infested waters.
• Be aware of your surroundings, and look for signs of crocodiles.
• Do not feed crocodiles, or try to touch them.
• If you see a crocodile, do not approach it.

Saltwater crocodiles are amazing and fascinating creatures, but they are also wild animals. It is important to respect them and to take precautions to stay safe.

This wildlife encounter was experienced by Muy Linda Travels