Corroboree Billabong wetland cruise: 2.5-hour boat tour

Saltwater crocodiles, prolific birdlife, and an open-air boat in the Mary River Wetlands

A full-day wetland tour from Darwin visits Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve and the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre before a 2.5-hour boat cruise through Corroboree Billabong, where you watch saltwater crocodiles and dozens of bird species in their natural habitat. The tour includes round-trip hotel pickup, an experienced guide, lunch and cold water throughout the day; children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore wetlands and wildlife

• Visit Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve
• Explore Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre
• Enjoy 2.5-hour Corroboree Billabong cruise

The Experience

Eight hours means the whole day is structured for you: hotel pickup in Darwin, a drive to Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve where one of Australia's largest snake populations lives among migratory water birds, then the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre with its upper viewing deck overlooking the Adelaide River floodplains. Interactive displays there explain the ecological cycles and the Aboriginal and European histories of the region. By the time you reach Corroboree Billabong, you've already seen how the wetlands work.

The 2.5-hour cruise is the heart of it. Corroboree Billabong sits in the Mary River Wetlands, which holds the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world—you'll see them cruising past the vessel or basking on the banks. The birdlife is prolific; your guide points out species as they move through the open-air boat, which is designed so you can get close enough for photographs without the glass between you and the animals. The guide is experienced and local, and commentary runs throughout to make sense of what you're watching.

Lunch is included, though you'll want to mention any dietary needs when you book. Cold water comes on both the bus and the boat, so bring a refillable bottle. A hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellent are essentials; binoculars help if you want to see the smaller birds clearly. The vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive, and the whole day ends with drop-off back at your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Darwin.
• a 2.5-hour guided cruise through Corroboree Billabong.
• visits to Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve and the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre.
• lunch.
• an experienced local guide speaking English.
• air-conditioned transport.
• cold water on the bus and boat.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Wetland Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this for a first or last full day in Darwin when you want to see the wetlands' wildlife without arranging transport or a guide yourself—the eight-hour structure means you move through three different vantage points (the reserve, the visitor centre, the boat) instead of staying in one spot, and the open-air vessel gets you close enough to photograph crocodiles and birds without missing what the guide is explaining.

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

518 verified traveler reviews

5 ★482

4 ★30

3 ★6

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world, and where do I see them on this tour?

Corroboree Billabong, part of the Mary River Wetlands, holds the world's largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles. During the 2.5-hour cruise, you watch them in their natural environment—cruising past the open-air vessel or basking on the banks—with your guide explaining their behavior and ecology.

How many bird species will I see at Corroboree Billabong?

The birdlife at Corroboree Billabong is prolific, and you get the opportunity to see a huge variety of species during the cruise. Your guide identifies them as they appear, though the exact count varies by season and time of day.

What happens before the boat cruise?

You start with hotel pickup in Darwin, then visit Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, which attracts a wide range of local and migratory water birds and one of Australia's largest snake populations. Next is the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre, where interactive displays explain the wetlands' ecology, seasonal changes, and the area's Aboriginal and European history; the upper viewing deck overlooks the Adelaide River floodplains.

Is lunch included, and can I request special meals?

Lunch is included in the tour price. Advise the operator of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking so they can prepare accordingly.

What should I bring for a full day in the wetlands?

Bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a camera. Binoculars are recommended for spotting smaller bird species. A refillable water bottle is useful since cold water is provided on both the bus and boat, and you'll want to stay hydrated throughout the eight hours.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes, children from age 4 are welcome. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the open-air boat design lets families get close to the wildlife together.