General News
25 January, 2024
Zoo welcomes visitors - Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures back open after Cook Highway closure
AFTER a five-week hiatus due to the closure of the Captain Cook Highway, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures has reopened its doors and is encouraging the community to return and enjoy the largest wildlife park in the Far North.
The reopening of the wildlife park came in conjunction with the reopening of the Captain Cook Highway on Saturday, January 20, that had been shut down since December after the flooding event post cyclone Jasper.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures marketing director Angela Freeman said that, despite the forced closure, the team had prepared an array of upgrades and new attractions that would delight customers.
“Thankfully, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures sustained only minor damage from Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent flooding event,” she said.
“The team galvanised into action, as soon as it was safe to do so, and the park has been ready to receive visitors since January 1.
“Since the beginning the dedicated staff have been working on maintenance and presentation projects to improve the customer’s experience.
“In the last few months Hartley’s has seen new upgrades and attractions including ‘Gary’ the new 10 metre fibreglass photo opportunity crocodile, named after the former owner and wildlife tourism pioneer Gary Zillfleisch, new Mega Fauna for the Gondwana Gateway and the new Crocodile Farming interpretive video produced onsite by world famous production company Biopixed.”
Ms Freeman said that the animals received the best care throughout the extreme weather event.
“Throughout the hopefully once in a lifetime event, the Hartley’s wildlife team ensured their animals continued to receive the best of care,” she said.
“During the height of the drama, our keepers camped over in the Hartley’s facilities before the relief teams entered via a special arrangement with traffic control.
“They have been working as a tag team on rotating rosters to ensure essential food and the all-important koala food is delivered fresh, prepared and served to the Hartley’s resident wildlife population.”
With the reopening of the key highway, Ms Freeman is encouraging the community to enjoy a fun day at Hartley’s.
“After experiencing the only crocodile farm tour available in North Queensland, visitors can enjoy the new video on the viewing area, containing exclusive material on the behind the scenes annual cycle of crocodile farming and a relocation sequence of two 4m-plus crocodiles from Hartley’s Lagoon,” she said.
