U.S. audiences were first introduced to Mick “Crocodile” Dundee on Sept. 26, 1986.
On Sept. 26, 1986, “Crocodile Dundee” hit theaters in the United States, and Paul Hogan became the face of Australia. The film, about an Australian bushman who shows a New York journalist the outback before following her back for his first visit to the big city, presented a narrative—and a man—that would define the continent to audiences around the world.
For better or worse—and over the past 30 years it has primarily been for better—the 1986 film is intrinsically linked to the continent. The story of how it happened, and how Paul Hogan became Australia’s representative around the world, is about as fantastic as the film’s plot.
“Hoges”
The star of “Crocodile Dundee” was no stranger to American television audiences of the 1980s. He had already made an impact on tourism to Australia, as documented by Jesse Desjardins in a master’s thesis on the phenomenon of “Dundee,” in an advertising campaign where he offered to put another “shrimp on the barbie” for visitors to the “wonder down under.”
Hogan spent 10 years working construction before brushing with fame, first making a name for himself with Australian audiences on a show called “New Faces.” On the show, contestants would perform a talent only to be ridiculed by the judges. (Simon Cowell had nothing on these guys.)
Hogan had joked with his fellow construction workers about the show, and then in 1971 wrote in to be a contestant saying he was a “knife-throwing tap dancer.” He got on (because who wouldn’t want to see a knife-throwing tap dancer?) and then he spent his time on the show insulting the judges.
The audience loved it, and “Hoges’” appearances on “New Faces” earned him a regular spot on a television news show where he met John Cornell, a journalist-turned-television producer who became his business partner. After they parlayed his television fame into two successful advertising endorsements—for Winfield cigarettes and Fosters beer, of course—Hogan donated his time to the tourism ads, slowly building an audience in America for his brand of Australia. In retrospect, the pair’s strategy seems to have set the stage for “Crocodile Dundee,” transforming Hogan’s Australian everyman persona into a blockbuster movie character.
Interestingly, while Cornell and Hogan were focused on Hollywood success, they inadvertently filmed the best destination advertisement ever created.
The Locations
The iconic images of the “outback” in “Crocodile Dundee” (and “Crocodile Dundee II”) were filmed in Kakadu National Park, located in the Northern Territory outside of Darwin. At that time, Kakadu was a mining area dominated by uranium extraction.
“In ’86, Australians hadn’t even been to Kakadu, let alone Americans,” Peter Hook, communications manager at Kakadu Tourism, shared. “Basically, Kakadu was a mining area. The government built a road from Darwin to Kakadu—not for tourism, but for mining.”
Today, the area boasts roads leading visitors to breathtaking vistas—however, that was not the case in 1986. Transporting a professional film crew to Kakadu presented significant challenges.
The choice of Kakadu for “Crocodile Dundee” was made by a location scout named Craig Bolles.
“The location was critically important for the film,” Bolles noted. “It showcased part of Australia that I don’t think had been seen…and it was inherent in Paul’s nature. He seemed to fit into the landscape perfectly.”
Although Hogan grew up in a Sydney suburb, it was Kakadu that became his cinematic home.
“I was given an open brief to choose anywhere in Australia that I thought suitable,” said Bolles, who also considered the northwest region of Kimberley, but ruled it out as too extreme. Kakadu posed unique challenges for filming.
“Kakadu was a very different place in the 1980s compared to today,” he recalled. “Only the main road was sealed (paved), and there were no hotel facilities.”
Bolles spent weeks enabling access for crews and equipment to locations like Jim Jim Falls and Gunlom Waterfall Creek. His efforts ultimately led to the film’s success.
“Certainly, no other place in Australia has been represented and captured as genuinely as Hogan did for Kakadu,” Hook stated. “It’s hard to imagine anyone could achieve that authenticity.”
The Phenomenon
With a budget of just over $7 million, “Crocodile Dundee” grossed more than $300 million worldwide. The sequel, “Crocodile Dundee II,” released two years later, matched this success, bringing in nearly $240 million.
Hook emphasized that “Crocodile Dundee” was timely. “The timing was crucial, as the mid-1980s saw a significant surge in American interest in Australia. Airfares became more accessible, and the Australian dollar was relatively low…Interestingly, we are seeing a similar scenario today.”
Tourism Australia’s Managing Director John O’Sullivan attributes the film’s success to its authenticity. “It’s about the genuine nature of the message and the characters within those films,” O’Sullivan remarked.
Tourism Today
Today, Chris Hemsworth represents Australia as its spokesperson, but Hogan’s influence is still significant.
“I think the tourism industry in Australia owes Paul Hogan a tremendous amount of gratitude,” O’Sullivan acknowledged. In recent years, local tourism offices have collaborated in efforts to promote not only Sydney and Melbourne but all of Australia.
“One of our key challenges is to encourage more widespread exploration of the country. Many believe that once they have seen Sydney Harbor and the Great Barrier Reef, their trip is complete,” O’Sullivan explained.
Moreover, as Tourism Australia and its local counterparts aim for the future, they draw inspiration from Hogan’s legacy.
“In the first 45 minutes of the film, you see the incredible billabongs…you see the landscapes, just as Hogan did in the film,” Hook added. “You can feel like you’re experiencing something special, exclusive, much like Hogan did. You could find yourself in your own private rock pool.”
However, there is more to Australia than just landscapes; as Mick Dundee emphasizes, respect for the land and its people is integral to the country.
“The indigenous people of Kakadu have a history spanning 50,000 years, and you can visit sites in Kakadu where artistic representations have unfolded throughout that time,” Hook stated. “That’s the lesson for anyone who wishes to come to Kakadu. Don’t view it as a theme park.”
The Legacy
While other films have showcased Australia’s remarkable landscapes, many observers believe “Crocodile Dundee” was unique in its portrayal. “For me, that film and what he did ‘brought to life’ a country of friendly and welcoming people,” O’Sullivan remarked.
Hogan introduced indigenous Australian culture to U.S. audiences, making a lasting impact. “The difference with ‘Crocodile Dundee’ lies in the film’s narrative, where this man steps outside of his comfort zone, which really resonated,” Hook explained. “There’s a depth to the film that has ensured its longevity.”
