How to follow in the footsteps of Crocodile Dundee

As in the film, Crocodile Dundee?

Yep. It’s been 30 years since the classic was released. Filmed mainly in the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park, as well as Queensland’s Cloncurry and New York City, the movie transformed Australian tourism. Its star, Paul Hogan, was involved in a series of ads in the UK and USA for the Australian Tourism Commission following its release.

What effect did the film have on Australia’s NT?
The state saw fans flock there in their droves. Numbers of tourists visiting Kakadu rose 35% a year from the late 1980s, reaching a peak of 240,000 visitors in 1994. The 1988 sequel, Crocodile Dundee II, was also largely filmed in the Red Centre, in Kakadu and Arnhem Land.


Port Douglas, Queensland (Shutterstock)

How can I follow in Dundee’s footsteps?

Northern Territory is jam-packed with adventure. Visit UNESCO-listed Kakadu, Australia’s biggest national park. Home to the Bininj and Mungguy people, it boasts the country’s largest collection of Aboriginal rock art (more than 5,000 sites). At one site, Ubirr, you can visit the galleries as Dundee did in the film.

Also, take a dip in Gunlom Falls, one of Kakadu’s many waterfall-fed lagoons, which was also featured – you'll find some seriously amazing views there. In Arnhem Land, cruise along the East Alligator River to spot the region’s biggest saltwater crocs. Birdlovers can look out for red goshawk and colourful gouldian finch. See our guide to NT's amazing wildlife.

Kakadu National Park (Shutterstock).

What else is there to do?

Well, there’s the incredible Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Alice Springs for starters. Then there’s Darwin, Oz’s only tropical city, and Litchfield National Park, which is packed with lagoons, two metre-tall termite mounds and towering sandstone plateaus. You might even meet the real-life Crocodile Dundee while you're there...

North of Darwin are the Aboriginal Tiwi Islands, where you can learn about the indigenous culture and crafts. If you fancy a truly epic adventure, pick up the Explorer’s Way (aka the Stuart Highway), which will lead you all the way to Adelaide in South Australia. And if you prefer your adventure a little softer, seek out a bit of luxury instead – there's plenty here to suit every type of traveller. It’s time to dust off that Croc Dundee DVD and get inspired…


Main Image: Litchfield National Park (Shutterstock)