Owned by the Indigenous clans of the Gaagudju people, it was the first major tourism development in the National Park and is notable for its unique design in the shape of a crocodile.

[1] Following the declaration of Kakadu as a National Park in 1979, the township of Jabiru was established as a closed community to house workers at the Ranger Uranium Mine.

The Park's second management plan in 1986 recognised the potential for the town's role to be expanded as a service centre to support tourism related development in consultation with traditional land owners.

[3] Architectural features on the roof of the head section contain ventilation and air-conditioning equipment, with the outward facing panels lit up at night to resemble glowing eyes.

[4] The Gagudju Association was initially established to distribute royalties from uranium mining in Kakadu amongst local Aboriginal people and provide self-determination on how best to use this money to benefit the community.

[11] A further criticism raised by some local elders is that the increasing numbers of tourists brought in by the Croc Hotel and other developments have interfered with hunting and fishing practices as well as a loss of privacy around traditional ceremonies within Kakadu and facilitated alcohol abuse that has eroded cultural customs.