Almost immediately, he begins circling the cage with his yellow eyes fixed on the human snack that has landed in the water.
"Try a handstand for the photographer," one of the keepers shouts to me. Acrobatic moves are the last thing on my mind - I'm more concerned about keeping all my body parts intact. Quickly, however, my initial fears are overcome by the awe-inspiring sight of a saltwater croc at such close proximity, and I spend the rest of my time in the tank marvelling at the huge reptile.
I'm in the Northern Territory for a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of the region's most famous movie.
The 1986 film Crocodile Dundee, starring Paul Hogan, was shot around the territory and veteran guide Graeme Hockey knows the impact it had in promoting Australia's Top End.
"That movie put the Northern Territory on the map for tourism," he says.
We drive along the Stuart Highway and briefly pause where a single white cross stands, surrounded by empty bottles of beer and Jack Daniels. On August 3, 1999, bushman Rod Ansell - regarded as the inspiration for the character Crocodile Dundee - shot dead a policeman at the roadside before being killed in return fire.
The site is close to Girraween Lagoon, the location of one of Crocodile Dundee's most famous scenes, where his love interest, Sue Charlton - played by Linda Kozlowski - is attacked by a crocodile. There's no danger of a repeat incident on my visit, though, as the lagoon is drained of any water during the dry season.
We stop at the Adelaide River Inn where a star of the film resides. Charlie the buffalo, who is famously lulled to sleep by Mick Dundee in the film, is now stuffed and standing on the bar.
After arriving in Kakadu National Park, I encounter dozens of crocodiles in the East Alligator River, which was named by English explorer Phillip Parker King in the mistaken belief that it was infested by alligators.
The stretch of water is packed with crocodiles. Eleven are waiting on the river banks as our boat sets sail. As we move slowly towards one for a closer look, there's a sudden splash as it jumps into the water, prompting a shriek from a French couple at the front of the boat.
I spend the night at Wildman Wilderness Lodge in the Mary River wetlands. There is a landing strip for planes to fly in and out, and the remoteness of the site has meant the owners haven't put locks on the lodge doors.
I'm handed a torch to help find my way at night - and to avoid any snakes that could be lurking in the grass. The deadly Taipan is a regular.
After a few days in the wilderness, I take a floatplane to Sweets Lagoon for an action-packed day with Outback Floatplane Adventures. The man behind the company, Matt Wright, is the star of the National Geographic television series Outback Wrangler, which is centred on his attempts to relocate crocodiles in the wild.
He drives an airboat at speed over the swampy waters, spraying those at the front of the boat with mud, before we climb into a helicopter for an aerial view of the lagoon.
"Don't worry mate, you won't fall out," the pilot says as he spots that I'm gripping on to my seat. The doorless helicopter, turning and diving at speed, is not for the faint-hearted.
Back on the ground, Matt leads a more leisurely cruise on the airboat across the lagoon for a chance to see the crocodile "Bonecruncher".
We wait silently as Matt shakes his hand in the water and calls out before the massive reptile suddenly emerges next to the boat.
During my stay in the Northern Territory, I spend a night at the five-star Cicada Lodge in Nitmiluk National Park. It's an ideal location for an evening dinner cruise along the Katherine Gorge, which is just a short walk away.
The tour is led by the indigenous Jawoyn people and offers an opportunity to see Aboriginal rock paintings. Canoeing and swimming are allowed on the day I visit because the guides are confident there are no saltwater crocodiles around.
Another spectacular sight in Nitmiluk National Park is Edith Falls, where visitors can swim below a waterfall. It's somewhat off the beaten track and requires a decent level of fitness to reach, but the view is well worth the effort.
CHECKLIST
Getting there
Qantas flies daily from Auckland to Darwin (via Melbourne or Sydney) with Economy Class fares from $470 one way and $1012 return, including food, wine, checked luggage, entertainment, and Qantas Points.
Details
If you fancy getting into the Cage of Death, go to crocosauruscove.com.
- AAP
