Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures pave the way with state of the art technology, bringing history to life.
Marketing director Angela Freeman explained that their story began with a simple road, a teahouse, and a crocodile named “Charlie.” Over the next 90 years, this story would grow into a world-renowned eco-adventure destination.
“The year 2024 is a milestone for us, marking 90 years since Herb and Mable Evans first opened a teahouse on the banks of Hartley’s Creek,” said Ms Freeman.
“The names Hartley’s and crocodile are inseparable. Since 1935, Hartley’s has hosted public crocodile shows, educating fascinated visitors on safely coexisting with crocodiles.
“In the early 1970s, groundbreaking research at Hartley’s advanced Australia’s understanding of crocodile biology, underscoring the urgent need to protect wild crocodile populations threatened by human activity.
“Our new, state-of-the-art ‘Hartley’s Croc Centre’ uses cutting-edge multimedia to guide visitors through ‘Crocodile Time’ in Queensland, bringing Hartley’s Creek’s rich history to life.
“Upon arrival, visitors encounter a life-sized model of ‘Quinkana Fortirostrum’—a long-legged predator that roamed ancient Chillagoe landscapes over 40 million years ago, preying on mega-fauna when Australia was a much drier place.
“The exhibit moves from ancient history to pre-settlement times, then shifts to the croc hunting era, before covering the modern history of Hartley’s.
“The final segment, created with the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, showcases how scientific research and conservation efforts have ensured the survival of wild crocodile populations in Queensland. The Crocwise program underlines the importance of educating the public to prevent unnecessary crocodile encounters.”
Ms Freeman added that North Queensland’s history is filled with remarkable tales of crocodile hunters.
“The Pawlowski family graciously shared their story with us—a testament to personal hardship and resilience in a tough, often unforgiving landscape,” she said. The family went on to establish Australia’s first crocodile farm in 1966.
