Crocodile Dundee (1986) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sue invites Dundee to New York to write a feature story about him for her newspaper, believing his unique outback survival skills and legendary status would make a compelling piece. However, her invitation is also driven by her growing personal attraction to him after he saved her from the crocodile and demonstrated his remarkable character.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the pub, Sue shows curiosity about Dundee beyond just his legend, hinting at her developing interest.

• Sue invite
• New York
• dundee
• journalist
• feature story

Richard proposes to Sue shortly after she and Dundee share their first kiss, which suggests he senses or suspects her growing feelings for Dundee. His proposal appears to be an attempt to secure their relationship before it can develop further, though the timing also indicates his typical self-centered approach to their relationship.

Foreshadowing: Richard's proposal comes right after Sue and Dundee kiss, showing he was watching and reacting to their growing closeness.

• Richard
• proposal
• Sue
• marriage
• jealousy

Dundee leaves for a solo road trip across America because he is heartbroken upon learning that Sue may be considering Richard's proposal. Rather than confront the situation or fight for her, he retreats to process his emotions and find solace alone, showing his initial insecurity about their relationship.

Foreshadowing: This moment echoes Dundee's earlier hesitation about leaving Australia, showing his uncertainty about urban relationships.

• road trip
• heartbreak
• Dundee
• America
• Sue
• leave

Sue finds Dundee at the subway station by asking friendly strangers for help. They relay her message through the crowd to Dundee, who is initially frustrated but still determined to reach her. She then climbs to the rafters and walks over the crowd to meet him halfway.

Foreshadowing: The moment mirrors Dundee's earlier pattern of discreetly following Sue when she ventures into unfamiliar territory, showing his protective nature.

• subway
• Sue
• find
• Dundee
• crowd
• strangers

Dundee climbs to the subway rafters and walks across the hands and heads of astonished onlookers because the crowded station is too packed for him to reach Sue through normal means. His determination to be with her drives him to use unconventional means, demonstrating his resourcefulness and willingness to overcome obstacles for love.

Foreshadowing: This scene echoes his earlier ability to navigate difficult terrain in the Australian outback, showing his adaptability transferred to an urban environment.

• rafters
• subway
• Dundee
• Sue
• crowd
• climb

Dundee saves Sue when a formidable crocodile emerges from the billabong during their wilderness trek. He intervenes in the dangerous moment, swooping in to protect her from the attack. This heroic act marks the turning point where Sue's attraction to him shifts from curiosity to genuine connection.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Dundee shows his competence by wrestling a snake and scaring off kangaroo poachers, establishing his ability to handle dangerous outback situations.

• crocodile
• save
• Sue
• Dundee
• billabong
• attack

Sue takes Dundee's rifle and ventures deeper into the outback to prove her competency and independence to him. She wants to show she is capable and not just a city girl who needs protection, demonstrating her determination to be seen as an equal rather than a damsel in distress.

Foreshadowing: This moment reflects Sue's initial professional drive and competitive spirit when she first arrived in Walkabout Creek.

• rifle
• outback
• Sue
• prove
• competency
• wilderness

Dundee adapts to New York by applying his outback survival instincts to urban situations. He thwarts a robbery using his natural instincts and confronts a local pimp, demonstrating that his resourcefulness translates across environments. His comedic confusion about city customs (like paying for bathroom use) creates humor, but his core survival skills and charm allow him to navigate the city successfully.

Foreshadowing: His success in the city is foreshadowed by his earlier ability to handle any outback challenge, showing the film expects his skills to transfer.

• Dundee
• adapt
• New York
• city
• survival
• outback
• skills

Sue kisses Dundee amidst the iconic New York skyline because she realizes her feelings for him have grown far beyond simple admiration or professional interest. The kiss marks the moment she acknowledges her true emotional attachment to him, shifting her perspective from viewing him as an interesting subject for a story to seeing him as a romantic partner.

Foreshadowing: Her earlier irritation with his views on women has completely transformed into attraction after witnessing his skills, courage, and genuine character.

• kiss
• Sue
• Dundee
• New York
• skyline
• feelings

When Sue meets Dundee at the Walkabout Creek pub, she discovers he is nothing like the heroic figure she pictured. Instead of a legendary bushman, she meets a ruggedly charming man with awkward flirting skills. This initial mismatch between expectation and reality sets up the film's central theme of cultural clash and eventual romantic development.

Foreshadowing: The meeting establishes the comedic dynamic where Sue's urban expectations collide with Dundee's authentic outback personality.

• pub
• meet
• Dundee
• Sue
• Walkabout Creek
• flirt