Crocodile burgers are flying out of the kitchen at Yvonee Tunney's cafe in Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria.
It is the first year in a while that she has added croc to her menu, including a curry croc burger and a curry or creamy mushroom croc pie.
"People on the tourist circuit up here are just loving them, we're getting people messaging us asking us to save them a croc pie," she said.
"We tried to add it to the menu a few years ago but weren't getting the best reception.
"Now, they're flying onto plates."
She is among several business owners and crocodile farmers who say the demand for croc products is booming.
"We have noticed a massive increase in our croc meat sales," said Lauren Lever, whose family owns the Koorana Crocodile farm in central Queensland, near Rockhampton.
It is one of the largest and oldest croc farms in the country — home to more than 4,000 saltwater crocodiles.
"We supply a lot of butchers and restaurants locally and we're almost struggling to keep up with that demand," she said.
Nutrition and durability drive widespread appeal
While the novelty of sinking your teeth into a croc burger draws interest from tourists, the high nutrition value and versatile flavour of croc meat is driving appeal in restaurants and butchers, Ms Lever said.
"Croc meat is a very healthy meat and it is very similar to fish and more mild than chicken but the meat takes on the flavours you pair with it really well," she said.
Australian croc leather is renowned among the high fashion industry for its durability but when COVID saw borders closed, the international leather market suffered.
"But, domestically, the popularity of our crocodile leather is growing — our belts and wallets are some of our biggest sellers," Ms Lever said.
"And because businesses are struggling to get their leather from overseas, they're turning to their own backyard."
From scales to skin
In her small shop in Karumba, Lea Wilding has upped her supplies of croc fat which she uses in soap.
"We get a lot of regular tourists visiting the region and they love the feel of the croc soap on their skin," she said.
More customers are trading traditional tallow soaps and lotions for those with croc oil, said Ms Lever.
"Croc oil is another major product that has been just going out the door. It's really helpful with extremely dry skin and things like shingles," Ms Lever said.
Those in the business of crocs welcomed the uptick in home-grown interest.
"A few years ago, we weren't seeing nearly the amount of demand for croc that we're seeing now," said Ms Tunney.
"I think it's going to be something that will stick around on the menu for a while yet."
