The narrative follows Sue Charlton, an ambitious and affluent New York City newspaper heiress, who travels to the remote
Australian outback to interview Michael "Crocodile" Dundee, a legendary bushman reputed to have survived a vicious crocodile attack and crawled hundreds of miles through the treacherous desert. Upon arriving at Walkabout Creek, Sue meets the rugged, charismatic Mick, who quickly captivates her with his rustic charm, encyclopedic knowledge of survival, and unorthodox methods.Intrigued by his larger-than-life persona and her own growing romantic attraction, Sue invites Mick to return with her to New York City. Reluctant at first, Mick accepts the invitation, trading the endless plains of the
Australian wilderness for the concrete jungle of Manhattan. Upon arrival, culture shock immediately ensues. Mick, entirely unfamiliar with urban life, attempts to navigate a world of skyscrapers, taxis, and high society. He mistakes transvestites for women, tries to smoke a bidet, and sleeps on the floor of a luxury hotel room rather than a conventional bed. Despite these humorous misadventures, his innate kindness, straightforward honesty, and fearless nature win over nearly everyone he meets, including Sue’s cynical fiancé, Richard, and her high-society father, who disapproves of Mick’s unconventional background.As days pass, Sue and Mick work together, and their professional relationship deepens into genuine affection. Sue becomes increasingly conflicted about her privileged life and her stagnant engagement to Richard, realizing that her urbane world lacks the raw authenticity she found in the outback. Meanwhile, Mick finds himself completely enchanted by Sue, yet he grapples with the feeling that he does not belong in her elite social circle.The emotional climax occurs at an opulent engagement party hosted by Sue’s father, where Richard formally announces Sue and Richard’s upcoming wedding. Overcome by heartbreak and a sense of misplaced pride, Mick quietly packs his few belongings and decides to leave New York to return to Australia. Desperate not to lose the man she truly loves, Sue experiences an epiphany. Ignoring her family's expectations and breaking off her engagement to Richard, she races frantically through the bustling New York subway system. Tracking Mick down before his departure, she openly declares her deep feelings for him. Mick reciprocates her love, and the two passionately embrace on a crowded subway platform, cementing their romance and setting the stage for a shared future that bridges two entirely different worlds.