Big Crocodile

The Big Crocodile emerged from an innovative 1980s Westrek/TAFE project that brought together Aboriginal students from Halls Creek TAFE under the guidance of sculptor and designer Andre Hickson. The ambitious goal was to create a lasting reminder of the formidable reptilian inhabitants found throughout the East Kimberley's waterways. Using cutting-edge technology for the era, Hickson photographed a female saltwater crocodile named 'Salty' at Perth Zoo, then used computer technology to plot approximately 2,400 reference points of the crocodile's shape and contours. This data guided the construction process, ensuring anatomical accuracy in the sculpture. The students worked to create a massive armature using 5.5 kilometers of steel rod, which was then covered with 10 rolls of bird mesh to form the shape before being coated with 6 cubic metres of concrete. The resulting 20-metre long sculpture was designed to be deliberately oversized - exaggerating the size of the region's saltwater crocodiles to serve as an entertaining attraction while also acting as a powerful deterrent to anyone considering swimming in the genuinely crocodile-infested waters surrounding Wyndham. The project showcased both artistic vision and practical community education.

More Fun Facts

• •The design was based on 2,400 computer-plotted reference points from a Perth Zoo crocodile named 'Salty'
• •The sculpture required 5.5 kilometers of steel rod - that's more than 3.4 miles of steel!
• •It was built by TAFE students as part of an educational Westrek project in the 1980s
• •The sculpture deliberately exaggerates the size of saltwater crocodiles, though some crocs in the region grow extremely large
• •Visitors are welcome to climb on the crocodile for photos, despite its menacing appearance
• •Wyndham is Australia's northernmost town and one of the hottest places in Australia
• •The East Kimberley region is home to one of the world's largest populations of saltwater crocodiles
• •The Big Crocodile serves a dual purpose - tourist attraction and swimming safety warning

Visiting Tips

• 💡Climb aboard for unique photos - the crocodile is sturdy enough to support visitors
• 💡Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense Kimberley heat
• 💡Combine your visit with a trip to Five Rivers Lookout for spectacular views of the Cambridge Gulf
• 💡Wyndham has limited services - ensure you have fuel, water, and supplies before arriving
• 💡Heed the warning this sculpture represents - never swim in Kimberley waterways due to crocodile danger
• 💡The Wyndham Visitor Centre can provide maps and information about other local attractions
• 💡Check road conditions before traveling, especially during or just after the wet season
• 💡The sculpture is located on the Great Northern Highway, easy to spot as you approach town