The site for Hartley's Crocodile Adventures was originally mined for tin. The land had been severely degraded by tree clearing, logging, overgrazing and unsustainable farming practices. Scarring from soil erosion and weed infestation made rehabilitation particularly challenging. For many years, the property was a commune for squatters. Evolving from a wasteland, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is now a sanctuary for local wildlife.

Hartley's Lagoon is a man-made water feature. The site was originally infested with dozens of exotic weed species. Top soil from building sites was used for landscaping and revegetation. To date over 7000 native trees have been planted on site. Several years ago it was a small shallow agricultural dam that served as a dumping ground for wrecked cars. It is now home to an abundance of waterbirds, reptiles and aquatic life.

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is living proof that commercial development can actually improve the environmental integrity of a site. The attraction features a number of innovative designs and procedures in relation to stormwater management, water and energy conservation, waste treatment and soil conservation.

Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is situated on the Captain Cook Highway, on a scenic coastal drive 40 km north of Cairns and 25 km south of Port Douglas. Set in the foothills of the MacAlister Range, in a World Heritage listed area, Hartley's is home to a range of habitat types including melaleuca wetlands, riverine rainforest and eucalypt woodland.