Page 83 - Port Douglas Magazine 46

MEET YOUR GUIDES

Our region is full of unique tours,
UP CLOSE! the beautiful, passionate people
made even more special by

wh0 guide them.

RACHEL

GEHAN

ZOOKEEPER AT
HARTLEY’S CROCODILE ADVENTURES

Words by Jamie Jansen

As a parent, the last thing you’d much about them. Then I started watching the Ultimately, Rachel hopes visitors take away from

probably want is to see your crocodile shows and thought, ‘I’ve got to do Hartley’s a greater understanding of crocodiles
and how to coexist safely with them in Northern
that’.”
child standing just metres from a All crocodile training is done on-site under Australia. “Crocodiles have many adaptations,
HARTLEY’S CROC CENTRE NOW OPEN crocodile, true Steve Irwin style. the guidance of crocodile boss, Drew, who has you won’t see them first. I love showing people

the shallows they hide in and how they move
For Rachel, it’s part of her daily
been at Hartley’s for nearly 36 years. “You have
life. to ask to be trained, then go through intensive undetected. Did you know the longest a croc has
stayed underwater on record is six hours and
preparation. It took me a year and a half
As a senior zookeeper at Hartley’s Crocodile before I could join 48 minutes? I also share
Adventures, just outside Port Douglas, she’s the Croc Attack tips on safe swimming
a star of the adrenaline-packed Croc Attack Show, watching spots and pass on my love
Show, where she works closely with a massive senior keepers and for this incredible local
crocodile to showcase its strength and signature learning every angle environment.”
moves, from the infamous “head shake” to the to stay safe.” For Rachel, there’s no other
fearsome “death roll”. job she’d rather do. “I enjoy

Rachel’s first close
“Mom has come to watch the croc shows and encounter with a what I do so much, I can’t
hates it, dad thinks it’s the coolest thing ever,” crocodile was unforgettable. “Adrenaline was imagine doing anything else. Understanding the
Rachel laughs. through the roof. My hands were shaking, but I animals, sharing that knowledge, and doing it in
a place I love, it’s just perfect.”
REPTILE ENCOUNTERS • WETLAND BOAT RIDES • CROCODILE FEEDING Rachel never imagined she’d end up in this thought, ‘I have to do that again’.” She’s also part of a growing wave of women
extreme line of work. Before Hartley’s, she
Every time Rachel steps into a crocodile
WILDLIFE PRESENTATIONS • LICENSED RESTAURANT worked in a range of jobs, including at the enclosure, she knows caution and respect are stepping into roles once dominated by men.
“For a long time it was just boys. Now there’s a

country’s largest telecommunications office, in
key. “Some crocodiles are territorial and hyper
a building with no windows. “One day I woke aggressive, so you must stay alert, never be big team of girls. I think girls are realising we
ASK OUR FRIENDLY TEAM ABOUT OUR EXCLUSIVE VIP GUIDED TOURS up and thought, I need to do something else,” complacent, and always know your escape,” can do it too.”
she says. Volunteering as a koala keeper was her she says. Her favourite crocodile at Hartley’s is Hartley’s itself adds to the experience. “It’s a
first step into wildlife work, and soon she was at Hagrid, the star of the Croc Attack Show. “He beautiful, nature-focused park with plenty of

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. tries to attack every show, it’s always fun being native wildlife. Family-owned and with the
OPEN DAILY: 8.30am - 5pm FOR TRANSFERS & TOUR PACKAGES FROM She joined the team nearly five years ago, around him.” owners on site daily, it feels personal. What we

PORT DOUGLAS CONTACT
do with the crocodiles is unique, there aren’t
25 mins south of Port Douglas or 40 mins north of Cairns Exemplar (07) 4213 3333 initially caring for animals like koalas, wombats, For Rachel, the thrill of the Croc Attack Show many places in Australia where you can get this
kangaroos, cassowaries, and parrots. About
is unmatched. “My favourite part of the show is
Ph: 4055 3576 • Captain Cook H’way Wangetti Down Under Tours (am only) (07) 4047 9066 three and a half years ago, her fascination with the adrenaline and teaching people how to stay close.”
crocodiles grew. “I liked them, but I didn’t know
crocodileadventures.com
safe in ‘croc country’.”
crocodileadventures.com Brett’s Kuranda Half Day Tour (07) 4098 5059
82 Download the Port Douglas App RogersRides 0450 804 495
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 83