Where was Crocodile Dundee filmed?
1986
City Locations
New York, New Jersey (USA); Northern Territory, Queensland (Australia)
Location Types
Clubs/Bars, Hotels/Motels
Location Styles
Colonial, Dilapidated/Neglected, Craftsman, Building Dated/Retro, Exotic/Tropical, Rustic
About Crocodile Dundee
Get ready for a wild adventure with Crocodile Dundee! This iconic Australian comedy film from 1986, directed by Peter Faiman, takes you on a hilarious journey with the charismatic Paul Hogan as the unforgettable titular character. The film follows the adventures of Michael "Crocodile" Dundee, an Australian bushman who travels to New York City for a vacation. Along with Hogan, the cast also included John Meillon as Walter Reilly, Linda Kozlowski as Sue Charlton, and Mark Blum as Richard Mason.
The plot centers around Crocodile Dundee's misadventures when he is plucked from his home in northern Australia to visit New York City. He quickly finds himself out of his depth in the city, encountering culture shock and getting into various comedic situations while attempting to adapt to life in the Big Apple. His journey features plenty of hijinks, including rescuing his love interest from muggers and going on a wild night out with her socialite friends.
The film, which drew inspiration from the real-life adventures of Rod Ansell, was produced with a budget of less than $10 million. The objective was to craft a commercial Australian film that could resonate with mainstream American viewership. However, the movie exceeded expectations and became a global sensation.
Crocodile Dundee was an immediate hit at the box office. With a global box office revenue of more than $328 million, this film garnered multiple award nominations. Notably, it received three Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy, Linda Kozlowski for Best Actress—Musical or Comedy, and accolades going to Paul Hogan for Best Actor—Musical or Comedy. The film has since become a beloved classic of the comedy genre and is often credited with launching Hogan's career worldwide.
Crocodile Dundee Locations
The production of the 1986 classic Crocodile Dundee took place in two distinct parts of Australia. For the majority of scenes, the remote northwest of Queensland served as the backdrop. From Walkabout Creek to Yellow Water Billabong and Cooinda, this region offers a scenic view with its lush mangroves, abundant wildlife, serene lake views, and wide open spaces.
In addition to these stunning locations, the film also featured Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey as well as The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, giving viewers a glimpse into urban America.
Travelers would be hard-pressed not to find something intriguing and exciting on such a journey filled with breathtaking real-life locations from Crocodile Dundee. Not only are they places where some of their favorite moments from the movie came alive, but there are also plenty of fun activities to do while exploring these iconic sites. Whether it's indulging in a cold beer at Mick’s chum Walter’s Federal Hotel or taking pictures on Fifth Avenue near The Plaza Hotel, visitors won't regret planning a trip back in time revisiting one of Australia’s most beloved films.
The arrival of Sue scene in Crocodile Dundee
McKinlay, Queensland 4823, Australia
Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski), a journalist at her father's publication, Newsday, is romantically involved with the editor, Richard Mason (Mark Blum). She embarks on a journey to Walkabout Creek, a remote village in Australia's Northern Territory, to interview Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee (Paul Hogan). Dundee is a local bushman famed for his survival tale of losing half his leg to a saltwater crocodile and subsequently crawling hundreds of miles to safety.
The remote township of McKinlay was chosen as the filming location for Walkabout Creek. It lies on the Landsborough Highway 990 miles from Brisbane, nestled within Queensland's Gulf Savannah Region. There are no buildings or streets that look like those used in Crocodile Dundee, but there are plenty of authentic rural backdrops that offer visitors a glimpse into life in this part of Australia.
To get to McKinlay by car you can take the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Charters Towers, then follow the Landsborough Highway south through Hughenden and Richmond until you reach McKinlay. But be warned: the total travel time is more than 17 hours.
Discover Filming Locations
Sue and Dundee share a dance at the pub scene in Crocodile Dundee
Crocodile Dundee's Walkabout Creek Hotel, 30 Wylde St, McKinlay QLD 4823, Australia
Upon reaching Walkabout Creek, Sue is unable to find Dundee. However, she is kept company at the local pub by Dundee's associate, Walter "Wally" Reilly (John Meillon). When Dundee shows up that evening, Sue discovers that his leg is intact, marked only by a substantial scar he calls a "love bite". As Sue and Dundee share a dance, a band of urban kangaroo hunters mock Dundee for his profession as a crocodile hunter, prompting him to retaliate by flooring the group's leader with a single punch.
This scene was filmed on location at Federal Hotel in McKinlay, Queensland. After filming wrapped up for Crocodile Dundee, it was renamed Walkabout Creek Hotel in honor of its role in the movie and is now even known as Crocodile Dundee’s Walkabout Creek Hotel.
Reaching this destination requires some fortitude. The most convenient option is to hire a private vehicle from Brisbane, a journey that will approximately take 17 hours to the hotel. Along the way, you'll have opportunities to stop at other film locations for breaks.
Locate Video Shoot Locations
Sue is attacked by a large crocodile scene in Crocodile Dundee
Gunlom Waterfall Creek, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Mick trails Sue to ensure her safety as she explores the local terrain. However, as she pauses at a billabong to gather water, a massive crocodile ambushes her. Mick leaps into action and saves Sue from the imminent danger. Touched by his bravery, Sue begins to develop feelings for him. This scene encapsulates their deepening bond and the ever-present threats of the Australian Outback. It also reinforces Mick's heroic persona and signifies the inception of their blossoming love story.
The iconic scene was filmed near Gunlom Waterfall Creek in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. This remote spot features a dense forest of eucalyptus trees, tall bamboo grasslands, as well as beautiful cascading waterfalls that become more powerful during seasonal rains. There is also abundant wildlife to admire, such as wallaroos, goannas, kangaroos, and many species of birds that make their home here.
Getting to Kakadu National Park requires flying or driving to Darwin first, then driving along National Highway 1 for about four hours until you reach Jabiru township, which serves as the gateway to Kakadu National Park. From there, you can take local tours or rent your own vehicle and explore this stunningly beautiful park on your own.
Browse Film Shoot Locations
Mick Dundee visits the bar scene in Crocodile Dundee
7B Horseshoe Bar, 108 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009, USA
The scene at the bar in NYC became a classic movie moment. Mick enters the bar after an unpleasant evening out with Sue and Richard . As he walks in, he meets a transvestite who turns out to be a man dressed in drag and prostitutes outside the premises.
The vibrant establishment where the tall 'sheila' turns out to be a man in drag is none other than 7B Horseshoe Bar, previously known as PH Vazac's. Located on 108 Avenue B at Seventh Street, it sits at the southeast corner of Tompkins Square Park.
The 7B Horseshoe Bar is a favorite choice for filmmakers due to its authentic neighborhood bar vibe. Notably, it's the place where the Rosato brothers attempt to strangle Pentangeli in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II. It also serves as the local Boston bar for Paul Newman's character in Sidney Lumet's 1982 drama, The Verdict.
Visiting this historic location today is easy for anyone traveling to New York City: simply take the Subway 6 train from Grand Central Station to Astor Place station, which is within walking distance of this location.
Search New York Filming Locations
"That’s not a knife" scene in Crocodile Dundee
Subway Station, Chambers Street and Centre Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10013, USA
The iconic robbery scene in Crocodile Dundee is one of the film's most memorable moments. In it, Mick and Sue find themselves threatened by two would-be muggers, only for Mick to pull out a gigantic Bowie knife and proclaim, “That’s not a knife. THIS is a knife!” The line is now one of the most well-known in movie history and has been cited many times in pop culture references since.
The location where this scene was filmed is actually beneath the white-tiled arches of the South Arcade, underneath the David N Dinkins Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street at Chambers Street in New York City. This site looks quite similar to how it did back in 1986 when filming took place, making it an excellent spot for fans to visit and feel like they are stepping into an iconic cinematic moment.
Reaching this destination is easy via public transportation from any part of New York City. The nearest subway station is Chambers Street, providing swift entry to the Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street.
Sue follows Mick to the subway scene in Crocodile Dundee
9 Avenue, 9th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA
The concluding scene is a quintessential romantic spectacle where Mick and Sue reunite after Sue experiences a change of heart. Opting to not marry Richard, Sue chases after Mick to a subway station. Despite the bustling crowd on the platform, she attempts to communicate her feelings to him with the help of the bystanders. On receiving her message, Mick ascends to the rafters and daringly navigates his way toward Sue by walking on the heads and uplifted hands of the spectators. He then kisses Sue amidst the cheering crowd, earning them hearty applause.
The location where this scene was filmed was actually the 9th Avenue Subway Station, at 9th Avenue and 39th Street in Brooklyn, New York. The station has been closed since 1975 and was not used until it was featured in Todd Phillips' 2019 blockbuster Joker.
To reach this destination, you can take the subway or take a bus or taxi from nearby locations such as Prospect Park or Barclays Center.
Conclusion
Crocodile Dundee was an amusing comedy that turned into a fan favorite. Paul Hogan indeed carried out the role of Crocodile Dundee convincingly, and the script was entertaining. The idea of having a naive Australian cowboy wander around in Manhattan was quite unique, and it made for a fresh take on the typical fish-out-of-water narrative.
The movie managed to keep viewers engaged throughout with its amusing gags, and there were frequent moments of genuine humor. Crocodile Dundee brought Hogan into the limelight and established him as one of Australia’s top TV stars. It also served as an exciting experiment in film-making for its time, taking a humorous approach to presenting culture shock.
And whether you’re exploring the bright lights of New York City or the vast expanse of the Australian Outback, visiting Crocodile Dundee filming locations is sure to make for a memorable adventure.