At Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, thrill-seekers are lowered into a Perspex tube for an unnerving encounter with some of the largest saltwater crocodiles on earth.
Meeting Chopper the crocodile
Chopper’s dental hygiene is, frankly, disgraceful. But it would take a brave dentist to suggest an electric toothbrush and regular flossing.
When you’re face to face with a 5.5m-long saltwater crocodile, professional dedication goes out of the window. Getting in the water with Chopper under normal circumstances would mean almost certain death.
Why book the “Cage of Death” Crocodile Swim at Crocosaurus Cove?
- ⏱ Includes a safety briefing (~30 minutes) followed by a dramatic 15-minute dive into a protective cage with a saltwater crocodile
- 🚿 Shower and swimwear required—get ready for a close-up encounter (no swimming required, cage remains mostly submerged)
- 🐊 Come face-to-face with a five-metre (or longer) saltwater crocodile—one of the world’s largest—inside a clear, crash-tested cage
- 📸 Enjoy 360-degree viewing and photo opportunities—on-site photographers capture your most unforgettable moments
- 🎟 Admission includes general entry to Crocosaurus Cove—perfect for exploring the full reptile exhibit afterward
- ⭐ Exceptional safety and an exhilarating experience—rated an average 4.9 out of 5 (from 111+ reviews)
The deadly power of saltwater crocodiles
Saltwater crocodiles have no emotions and no fear of taking down large creatures to supplement their usual diet of turtles and fish. They wait in murky shallows, learning the routines of their prey, then strike.
A crocodile can move its full body length in a second, biting down with 66 teeth and a force of 33,800 newtons. For comparison, a lion or a great white shark manages around 2,700 newtons.
The only thing protecting me from this fate is a thin strip of Perspex – hyperbolically known as the Cage of Death.
Inside the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove
This unnerving daredevil attraction is the star of Darwin’s Crocosaurus Cove, which houses some of the biggest crocodiles on earth in the middle of the Northern Territory’s most notorious nightlife street.
The idea is simple: lower paying guests into the cage with the crocs, then watch what happens. It doesn’t take long for Chopper to react once I splash down.
He circles slowly, a show of dominance and a recognition that the cage cannot be breached. His black slit of an eye lines up with the narrow holes in the cage, waiting for a finger to stray too close.
The story of Chopper the problem crocodile
“Chops” is a favourite of the staff at Crocosaurus Cove, though keeper Charlotte Price admits “he’s probably not as attached to us as we are to him”.
He’s an old crocodile, thought to be in his 80s, and survived the hunting era that once reduced Northern Territory crocodile numbers to fewer than 3,000. A ban in 1971 has seen the population rebound to around 80,000.
Some, like Chopper, became problem crocodiles. These were the animals that began lurking around boat ramps and beaches, attacking boats or taking cattle. Relocation proved pointless, as crocodiles are highly territorial. The biggest often end up at Crocosaurus Cove.
The power and ferocity of a prehistoric predator
Chopper’s tough, scarred skin tells a story of countless battles. His stumpy front feet contrast with his intimidatingly thick neck and powerful tail.
But it’s his mouth that inspires the greatest awe. When a piece of chicken is dangled near the cage, he launches with instinctive ferocity. Visitors get to witness exactly what would happen if the Perspex dissolved.
He opens wide, throat hidden by a valve that prevents drowning underwater. To swallow, he throws his head back like a person gulping tablets. Any prey reaching that stage would already be dead.
A chilling reminder of nature’s power
It’s impossible not to shudder at this prehistoric killing machine. Weighing 790kg, he is the ultimate apex predator of the tropics. Crocodiles stopped evolving long before humans arrived – they had already perfected survival.
As the cage is lifted back to safety, Chopper glides to the bank and basks in the sun. The old man rules his territory once again.
How to do it
The Cage of Death Darwin experience, including entry to Crocosaurus Cove, costs AU$195 solo or AU$295 for two people. Bookings should be made online, in advance.
More Northern Territory travel
Other Northern Territory travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Six reasons to visit Darwin on an Australian holiday.
- Australia’s capital cities – ranked.
- Discovering the rock art of Kakadu National Park.
- Guide to Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park.
- The Victoria Settlement on the Cobourg Peninsula: Australia’s lost city.
