North Queensland Tavern's Smoked Crocodile a Major Hit
The El Arish Tavern in North Queensland, which reopened seven months ago, has experienced significant demand for its smoked crocodile offering. Owners Tori and Alex Muzic report receiving up to 20 orders weekly. This demand is supported by local crocodile farms, including Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, which notes an overall increase in crocodile meat production and has recently received a state government grant for facility upgrades.
El Arish Tavern Hooks Diners and Community
The El Arish Tavern, located in El Arish, a town of 300 people approximately 90 minutes south of Cairns, reopened seven months ago under the ownership of Tori and Alex Muzic. The pub had been closed since April of the previous year.
Since its reopening, the tavern has reported a high demand for its smoked crocodile meat dish, with Alex Muzic indicating up to 20 orders are received weekly.
- The concept of serving crocodile meat originated from an experiment conducted during a staff Christmas party.
- Customers have described the taste of the crocodile meat as a combination of chicken and pork.
- The pub sources its saltwater crocodiles from an accredited local supplier who obtains the meat from legitimate crocodile farms.
- The El Arish Tavern has become a destination, attracting visitors from larger cities such as Cairns and Townsville. Owners Tori and Alex Muzic aim to maintain the pub's role as a community hub for local patrons.
Crocodile Farming and Industry Support Thriving
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, a saltwater crocodile farm and tourist attraction situated north of Cairns, reports an increasing demand for crocodile meat. The facility produces approximately 5 tonnes of crocodile meat annually.
- The farm maintains around 3,000 saltwater crocodiles, including eggs in incubators.
- Co-owner Angela Freeman noted a growth in public awareness of crocodile meat as a gourmet food.
- Hartley's Crocodile Adventures has seen an increase in visitor numbers over its 24 years of operation, attracting over 1,000 visitors on busy days.
- The facility recently received a $300,000 grant from the state government for facility upgrades. This grant is part of a broader $2 million tourism package allocated for Far North Queensland.
- Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell stated the government's support for regional tourism operators.
- Angela Freeman highlighted that crocodile farming is recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a sustainable practice and a model for sustainable use. She added that it contributes to scientific research and data collection for crocodile recovery efforts globally.