AusLeisure

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas has provided an update on its soon-to-open ‘Swim with the Salties’ experience as its new CrocArena attraction nears completion.

Only months away, the highly anticipated Queensland-first will allow guests, the chance to enter a pool with a saltwater crocodile with only a sheet of perspex separating them from the powerful animal.

CrocArena is also being purpose built for Crocodile shows, with grandstand seating for 300 people, as well as an underwater viewing area where visitors can watch the feeding ‘eye-to-teeth’ with the fascinating apex predators.

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas General Manager, Clare Anderson said CrocArena will be one of the most thrilling and sought-after attractions in Australia, commenting “it is important for us to bolster the destination in a unique way, and continually be innovative to best showcase the region, ensuring a truly remarkable experience for visitors.”

Pleased by the turnout of visitors during the Easter long weekend, and the remainder of the recent school holidays, Anderson noted “after last year’s COVID Easter, Wildlife Habitat sat mostly empty with the exemption of our passionate keepers coming in to care for the wildlife.

"It's great to have visitors coming back - we’re blown away by the support.”

Demonstrating great confidence in tourism for the region, the Woodward family owned CaPTA Group, which includes the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, Rainforestation Nature Park, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome, is investing significantly and working diligently to ensure that their attractions are exciting, educational, and sustainable.

Over the past three years, nearly every part of Wildlife Habitat has gone through a rebuild, with exhilarating additions including the new Rainforest Habitat and ultra-modern Nocturnal Habitat, with CrocArena set to be the crown jewel of attractions in Port Douglas.

CaPTA Group Managing Director Peter Woodward said they were very excited to lead the way with this calibre of attraction in the region.

Woodward added “now more than ever, it’s important to invest in our attractions to re-energise our industry after the tough period we’ve been through, so we captivate Australians visiting Port Douglas and entice them to keep coming back.

“With CrocArena set to open this June, we anticipate it will not only attract visitors from across Australia, but also from abroad when international travel recommences, as it will truly be a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Images: The concept for the new CrocArena at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas (top) and CaPTA Group Operations and Projects Director, Michael Woodward [left] and CaPTA Group Research and Development Manager, Andrew Hearn (below).

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