The famous Crocodile Dundee pub, an Australian icon immortalised in Hollywood cinema, is stepping into a dramatically different future. The venue that once drew visitors hoping to spot real crocodiles is transforming into a more conventional drinking establishment, marking the end of an era for one of the country's most unique tourist attractions.
From Wildlife Attraction to Community Local
Located in the remote Northern Territory, the pub gained worldwide fame after featuring in the 1986 blockbuster 'Crocodile Dundee' starring Paul Hogan. For decades, tourists flocked to the establishment not just for drinks but for the chance to see saltwater crocodiles living in a pen on the premises. The new owners, however, have decided this practice must end.
The crocodile enclosure, which previously housed two saltwater crocodiles named Burt and Bindi, will be permanently emptied. This significant change comes after the venue changed hands in late 2024. The new management believes the pub's future lies in celebrating its cinematic heritage rather than maintaining live animal exhibits.
Despite the removal of its most famous non-human residents, the pub will continue operating as a hospitality venue. The new owners plan to preserve the building's distinctive character while focusing on quality food, drinks, and the rich history that made it famous.
Balancing Heritage with Modern Expectations
The decision reflects changing public attitudes toward wildlife in captivity, particularly concerning large predators like crocodiles. Animal welfare considerations played a crucial role in the new direction, with the owners acknowledging that tourist expectations have evolved significantly since the pub's heyday.
The transformation will see the crocodiles relocated to a licensed wildlife park where they can be cared for by professional handlers in more appropriate surroundings. This move has been welcomed by animal welfare advocates who had long expressed concerns about keeping such animals in a pub setting.
Meanwhile, the pub itself will undergo renovations to enhance the visitor experience while preserving its iconic façade. The new management plans to create a museum-style section dedicated to the pub's Hollywood connections and outback history, ensuring the Crocodile Dundee legacy continues to attract tourists from around the world.
A New Chapter for an Australian Icon
The pub's cinematic fame began when it featured prominently in the original Crocodile Dundee film, serving as the watering hole where Paul Hogan's character entertained tourists with his outback tales. The building itself dates back to the 1950s and has survived cyclones, floods, and the extreme conditions of the Northern Territory outback.
Local tourism operators are watching the transformation closely, curious to see how the venue's rebranding will affect visitor numbers to the region. While some traditionalists mourn the loss of the crocodile attraction, others believe the change represents necessary progress.
The pub's new era begins in December 2024, with the crocodiles scheduled for relocation by early 2025. The owners have promised to maintain the establishment's authentic outback character while creating a more sustainable business model for the future. Rather than relying on animal exhibits, the revived pub will focus on its unique position in Australian film history and its role as a genuine outback hospitality venue.
This transformation represents a significant moment in Australian tourism history, marking the end of one type of attraction and the beginning of another. The Crocodile Dundee pub will continue to welcome travellers from across the globe, but henceforth they'll come for the stories rather than the wildlife, for the history rather than the hazard, and for a cold beer in an iconic setting that continues to evolve with the times.
