John and Jillian Lever opened Koorana Crocodile Farm, Queensland’s first commercial crocodile farm in 1981. The couple captured crocodiles from the wild that were becoming a danger to people. At the time, the only alternative for rogue crocodiles was to have them put down. In the early years, the Levers removed over 100 crocodiles from residential and public recreation areas. The crocodiles became breeding stock for the farm which now has over 3500 crocs.
As a commercial crocodile farm, Koorana offers visitors a complete experience. From watching crocodile hatchings to holding a crocodile and educating people about this misunderstood animal, right through to sampling crocodile meat in the Koorana restaurant or taking home crocodile leather products. Koorana is an approved farm, operating under the Australian Government’s Strategic Conservation Program and has won numerous business and tourism awards.
Koorana Crocodile Farm is one of the few places in the world where you can (safely) get up close and personal with these ancient reptiles. The farm was established over 40 years ago and the Lever Family has worked hard to grow it to a commercial level supplying crocodile leather and meat nationally and internationally. There are over 3,500 crocs, a restaurant serving crocodile meat and a shop featuring an impressive range of crocodile leather goods.
On a guided tour of the farm, you’ll learn much about the behaviour of this misunderstood animal and what to be aware of if venturing into its territory. You’ll hear about the conservation and commercialisation aspects of the crocodile farm, see the big crocs being fed, and have the rare opportunity to hold a small one. It might surprise you how it feels!
Saltwater crocodile skin is known as the most durable leather in the world, outlasting other leathers with proper care and Koorana Crocodile Farm produces the highest quality crocodile leather. A wide range of products is available at their shop including clothing, handbags, hats, belts, wallets, purses, book covers, and card wallets.
Over the years, Koorana Crocodile Farm has received a number of business and tourism awards. John Lever also received a Tourism Business Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual while Jillian Lever was presented an ABC Queensland’s Rural Woman of the Year Award.
Koorana Crocodile Farm is one of the last independently owned farms in the nation and a credit to the passion and commitment of the Lever family. You can visit Kthe farm on one of our Central Queensland Tours.
You can witness crocodiles hatching at Koorana Crocodile Farm between February and March. It’s a fascinating process and a rare glimpse into the start of life for these remarkable creatures.
Koorana Crocodile Farm is located in Coowonga, 30 minutes east of Rockhampton in Central Queensland.
There certainly is - Koorana Restaurant is open for lunch and offers numerous delicious ways to sample crocodile meat – steak, kebab, laksa, pie, burger, or ribs! There are also non-croc options available, and the park happily caters for vegetarians.
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