Snap up this crocodile river tour business

Fancy ditching the concrete jungle for a wild ride you could really sink your teeth into? 

For half the price of a flat in inner Sydney or Melbourne, there’s an outback opportunity to be snapped up in the Top End.

Victoria River Cruises and the landmark Croc Stock Shop, an established tourism business on the Victoria Highway in Timber Creek, is on the market for $385,000.

Commercial Insights: Subscribe to receive the latest news and updates

That price even includes the freehold property and equipment, and due to the extreme seasons in that neck of the woods, the business only runs half the year.

You’ll be able to run your own tours down the Victoria River.

During the wet season between November and April, the next owners can literally shut up shop.

Alison Ross of Elders Real Estate Katherine said the sale represents a great opportunity for a couple looking for an adventure.

“It would definitely suit someone who loves the outdoor lifestyle, who loves nature and boats. A young couple with loads of energy could really enjoy it. And because it’s seasonal you can shut down over Christmas and have a break,” she said.

But buyer beware, this Northern Territory property is just about as remote as it gets, sitting 285kms west of Katherine, 225kms east of Kununurra and 600kms south of Darwin.

The isolated township is on the edge of the Judbarra (Gregory) National Park which encompasses a whopping 13,000sq m of wilderness.

You can be the captain of ‘the best wilderness tour available in the Northern Territory.’

Ross says despite its remoteness there is always a steady stream of passers by.

“Timber Creek is the only serviced town between Katherine and Kununurra, so any of the grey nomads or other travellers passing through that region are going to have to go through the town,” she says.

“The bonus is you have a real niche as there’s no other business like it in town.”

“And there really is a great sense of community in town. It is not too far from Coolibah Cattle Station where they filmed Keeping Up With The Jones a few years back.”

All the boats and equipment comes with the property.

The business has a five-star rating on TripAdvisor, with commenters raving about the giant scones and great coffee.

Although the Croc Stock Shop cafe is modest, it does serve a range of food, including food that is, unlike the crocs, vegetarian.

The cruise side of the business takes tourists “where few travellers go” down the wild Victoria River where they can spot crocodiles and varied birdlife including the famous Jabiru.

The property includes a large shed for storage plus ample yard space.

Visitors then return to shore around sunset to capture some insta-worthy pics of the beautiful changing colours of the outback.

As well as a 1300sqm property in the main drag of Timber Creek, the sale includes two sheds to store the boats in, and a one-bedroom demountable with a bathroom, laundry, a commercial kitchen area.

To keep things running smoothly, there is mains power, plus two rainwater tanks.

It also has a large open kitchen to cater for tour groups.

To sweeten the deal, the purchase includes a 34-seater shaded boat with toilet on-board and trailer, an 8-seater boat with toilet and trailer, a 12m shaded pontoon with bathroom and fridge, a pontoon jetty and gangway plus a 40-seater 1971 bus.

There are also fridges, freezers, kitchen appliances and equipment, cafe tables and chairs all included in the sale.

The business comes complete with all insurance registrations, surveys, permits for the shop, cruise business and vehicles and they are affiliated with Top End Tourism as well as Kununurra Tourism to ensure an ongoing clientele.

This article from the NT News originally appeared as “Victoria River cruise: Your chance to snap up the most Aussie property ever”.