What you need to know before visiting Hartley's Crocodile Adventures

Crystalbrook Collection and Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures have partnered to bring the unique beauty of Far North Queensland to life. This collaboration will offer visitors the chance to experience the vibrant wildlife and stunning landscapes of the region in a truly unforgettable way. Experience Hartley’s as a family with the Bailey Bunch family package.

The partnership goes beyond simply offering a unique and memorable experience, with both Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and Crystalbrook Collection sharing a commitment to sustainability. Visitors will be able to learn about conservation efforts in Far North Queensland and take part in activities that help support the local environment. 

Image Credit:  Tourism and Events Queensland

What is Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures?

How many crocodiles are there? What kind of crocodiles? Other animals?
Between the park and the farm, there are several thousand. Between 2,500-3,500 are on the sustainable crocodile farm. On the tourism side, at the park, there are approximately 250. There are three types of crocodilian species at the park: saltwater, freshwater and American alligator. Plus, hundreds of other animals including wombats, koalas, fruit bats and an extensive array of reptiles and birds.

Can you tell us about some of the park's most popular attractions and why they are a must-see for visitors?
 - Lagoon cruise, has both male and female breeding saltwater crocs plus waterbirds and aquatic life
- Crocodile feeding shows
- Snake shows
- Crocodile farm tours

Can you walk us through a typical day at the park and what visitors can expect?
Enjoy Breakfast with the Koalas, watch the variety of wildlife presentations, take a boat cruise through the Hartley lagoon, Dine at Lillies Bistro for lunch, visit the Gallery of Living Art, stroll through the Predatory Bird Aviary, browse through the Parks Souvenir Shop. 

What is the history behind Hartley’s Crocodile Park? 
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, commonly known as Hartley's Crocodile Park, is located in Wangetti, Queensland, Australia, and is renowned for its extensive display of crocodiles and other Australian wildlife. Established in 1989 by George Craig, an experienced crocodile farmer and conservationist, the park was initially intended to serve as a crocodile farm and educational centre. George Craig's passion for crocodile conservation led to the park's creation, aiming to educate the public about the vital role crocodiles play in the ecosystem and the need for their protection. Over time, the park evolved into a comprehensive wildlife park, showcasing not only crocodiles but also a diverse range of native Australian fauna.

The park offers visitors the opportunity to learn about crocodiles and their habitats through guided tours, wildlife shows, and interactive experiences. Additionally, the park focuses on the conservation and sustainable management of crocodile populations, contributing to research and conservation efforts.

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures has grown to become a prominent tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world eager to witness the fascinating world of crocodiles and the unique wildlife of Australia. It stands as a testament to George Craig's dedication to wildlife conservation and education, offering a memorable and educational experience for all who visit.

How has Hartley’s Crocodile Park evolved over the years in terms of attractions and conservation efforts?
Over the years, Hartleys has expanded its animal exhibits to showcase a wider variety of Australian wildlife. Although crocodiles continue to be the main attraction, the park has introduced additional wildlife like cassowaries, wombats, kangaroos and various reptiles and birds. For the visitor experience to be more engaging and interactive, the park has added additional attractions and activities, like up-close animal encounters and guided tours. Hartley's participates in conservation efforts such as crocodile breeding programs, this initiative works to safeguard crocodile species that are under danger of extinction. 

How does Hartley’s Crocodile Park work to educate visitors about conservation and animal welfare, and why is education an essential aspect of the park's mission?
Hartley’s is a proudly accredited Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) member and an active participant in a number of ASMP programs. ZAA has strict compliance and standards for animal welfare requirements which Harltey’s adheres to diligently. They incorporate education on conservation into almost every presentation at the park.

Image Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures cares about the environment and sustainability

Can you give us an overview of the park's sustainability initiatives and how they play a role in the park's operations?
The primary focus regarding sustainability is the wetlands – they strongly emphasise no matter what part of the world people are from - hot or cold- there are wetlands and they must be protected.

How does Hartley's Crocodile Park hope to inspire and engage visitors to become more environmentally conscious and support conservation efforts?
Hartley's offers educational programs and guided tours, which helps educate visitors about the ecological responsibilities and the value of preserving their ecosystems. They also convey the significance of animal conservation through signs, pamphlets and information boards around the park.

How does Hartley's Crocodile Park hope to inspire other organisations to adopt sustainable practices and support conservation efforts?
Hartley's Crocodile Park can be seen as a model for sustainable practices and conservation efforts, by demonstrating its own commitment to eco-friendly operations and successful conservation programs, this can encourage other organisations to partake in similar practices. By receiving and promoting sustainability and conservation awards and certifications, such as the Green Globe certification or the EarthCheck certification, Hartley's Crocodile Park can inspire others to strive for similar recognition.

What is the importance of sustainable tourism and how will it impact travel in the future?
The goal of sustainable tourism is to have a positive influence on a destination's environment, community, and economy while minimising negative effects. For many reasons, sustainable tourism is very important and will have a major impact on how travel will be done in the future. By encouraging ethical behaviour, sustainable tourism reduces the negative effects of travel on the environment. In order to keep tourist locations appealing and healthy for future generations, it tries to safeguard natural resources, preserve biodiversity, reduce pollution, and restrict habitat degradation. Future travel is probably going to put more of an emphasis on sustainability. This will entail a move towards slower, more immersive travel experiences, the use of more environmentally friendly transportation options, a rise in the usage of renewable energy sources, trash reduction, and conservation initiatives. 

Image Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Crystalbrook Collection x Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Unique experiences or offerings that are available as a result of the collaboration between Hartley’s Crocodile Park and Crystalbrook Collection?
Hartley's Crocodile Park is a great place to visit for those who want to see crocodiles and other animals up close. The park offers animal encounters, which allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the animals. 

However, there are a few things you should know before visiting the park, including the fact that it can be quite hot, so make sure to bring sunscreen and water. You should also be aware that the animals can be quite dangerous, so please be respectful and don't approach them if they are not in an encounter area.

1. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is a great place to visit if you're looking for an exciting and educational experience

2. The park is home to a wide variety of crocodiles, as well as other animals like kangaroos and emus

3. There are plenty of activities available for visitors of all ages, including boat tours, feeding demonstrations, and more

4. Admission prices are very reasonable, making it a great value for your money

5. Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is open every day from 9am to 5pm

6. Be sure to bring sunscreen, hats, water bottles, and insect repellent when visiting!

Hartley's Crocodile Park is committed to sustainability and operates in an environmentally friendly manner. All the electricity used at the park is generated by solar and wind power, and the park recycles all its waste.