Hartley's Crocodile Adventures opening hours

Hartley's is open daily from 8:30am to 5pm. The gates close at 5:15pm. These hours apply every day of the year except Christmas Day (25 December) and 14 June 2026, when the park is closed for the Cairns Ironman event.

Yes, Hartley's is open on most Queensland public holidays. The only confirmed closures are Christmas Day (25 December 2026) and Sunday, 14 June 2026, due to the Captain Cook Highway being closed for the Cairns Ironman event. Check the official website for any additions closer to your travel date.

Entry-only tickets do not require pre-booking and can be purchased at the Admissions desk on arrival. However, packages including coach transfers, Premium Wildlife Encounters (such as Zootastic 5), and the Koala Breakfast must be pre-booked. The Koala Breakfast is specifically booked by 4pm the day before your visit.

The first sessions begin at 9am: the Crocodile Farm Tour (lagoon cruise) and Cassowary Feeding both start at 9am. The Snake Show follows at 10am. Arrive at 8:30am to collect the day's timetable, confirm your cruise time, and get to the first session without rushing.

Yes. Self-drive admission tickets are valid for three consecutive days from the date of first entry. Your park map must be stamped by Hartley's staff on your first visit, and proof of ID is required on return. Boat cruise passes for return visits are subject to seat availability at management's discretion. Transfer-based tour tickets do not automatically include this benefit; check your booking conditions.

Arriving at 8:30am, the opening is consistently the quietest and most comfortable entry window. The 9am lagoon cruise boards in cooler conditions with smaller groups than the 1pm departure. The busiest period across the park is 11am to 2pm, which also coincides with peak daily temperatures in summer.

Yes, the Koala Breakfast runs daily at 8:30am before the park opens to general visitors. It must be booked by 4pm the prior day. During June to August and school holiday periods, slots fill several days ahead; book as early as possible if this is a priority.

The park remains open, and shows continue in light to moderate rain. The lagoon cruise may have amended times in adverse weather conditions for visitor safety, but cancellations are uncommon. Only severe weather events such as cyclones or flooding prompt closures. Pack a lightweight poncho for boardwalk and cruise sections during the wet season (November to April).

The official closing time is 5pm, with gates locking at 5:15pm. A specific last entry time is not published separately from the closing time. To make the most of your visit, aim to arrive no later than 1pm so you catch at least the afternoon show schedule, including the 3pm Crocodile Attack Show.

Weekday mornings in the shoulder season months of April to May and September to October offer the quietest conditions. Within the peak dry season (June to August), Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between 8:30am and 10am are the calmest windows. Avoid weekends in July and school holiday periods across all months for the most relaxed experience.