Crocosaurus Cove Whipray Encounter

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Hand feed a freshwater whipray about two metres across at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, with a handler beside you and no more than three other guests. The encounter is part of the 3:30pm aquarium show, and a full day's entry to the park is included.

Days

30 minutes, with full-day entry

Age

10 years and over

Group size

Max 4

Start / finish

Mitchell Street, Darwin City

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Make your own way; walking distance from most city hotels

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Crocosaurus Cove Whipray Encounter

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Included experiences

Freshwater aquarium — hand feed a 2 metre whipray
Big Croc Feed — watch saltwater crocodiles fed during your day entry
Reptile house — the world's largest display of Australian reptiles

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

A DAY AT THE COVE FIRST

Your ticket includes a full day's entry to Crocosaurus Cove, on the corner of Mitchell and Peel Streets in central Darwin, so come early. Catch the Big Croc Feed shows, where handlers feed some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in captivity in Australia, and dangle a line over almost 100 juvenile crocs at Fishing for Crocs. The reptile house has more than 70 species, the world's largest display of Australian reptiles. Be back at the aquarium 15 minutes before your afternoon session.

AFTERNOON: MEET THE WHIPRAYS

The session is part of the afternoon show at the freshwater aquarium, a 200,000 litre tank built to look like a Top End river. It's home to barramundi, which start life as males and turn female as they grow, archer fish that shoot insects off leaves with a jet of water, and the whiprays, the biggest about two metres across. There are never more than four guests, and a handler stays beside you the whole time. Wear shoes that slip off easily and skip the long trousers, as you'll probably get splashed.

HAND FEEDING

Your handler shows you how to offer the food, and you can choose whether to hold it yourself. Whiprays are curious, and they glide right up to see who has arrived, their mouths on the underside of a wide, flat body built for feeding on the riverbed. How they feed on the day depends on their mood. Take a moment to watch how they move: they don't swim so much as ripple, the edges of the disc rolling like a wave. The encounter lasts about 30 minutes, and your day entry lets you stay on until closing.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Crocosaurus Cove, 58 Mitchell Street, Darwin City, on the corner of Peel Street. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your session.
Departure time: 3:30pm daily, during the afternoon aquarium show. Book at least an hour ahead.
Duration: About 30 minutes; your park entry is valid all day.
Minimum age: 10 years. Under 16s need a parent's consent.
Please note: At least 2 guests are needed for a session to run. You will probably get splashed. The park opens 9am to 6pm, last entry 5pm.

What to bring

Shoes that are easy to take off
Shorts rather than long trousers

What is included

Whipray Encounter with an experienced handler
Full-day entry to Crocosaurus Cove

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Our whipray feeding encounter with Taylor was fabulous and worth the money. The keeper talks are a must, including watching a snake eat a rat, and the enclosures are well kept for a place in the middle of the city.

Skye Rumbelow Verified· Travelled 24th August 2026

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