Camping near Croc's

Submitted: Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 13:30
ThreadID: 105741 Views:8164 Replies:16 FollowUps:19
This Thread has been Archived
Can people tell me what precautions they take when camping near waterways where salties live.

Thanks
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 13:56

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 13:56
Gday,
Its quite simple really.......DONT!

If your going to.........Don't leave anything around to attract them
Don't go down to the water via the same path regularly.
Fetch water with a bucket with a rope on it.
Don't sleep on the ground.

Crocs will walk inland for miles, but the closer to the water the higher the chance of having a visitor.

ASK THE LOCALS.........

Cheers
AnswerID: 524149

Follow Up By: Member - Fab72 (Paradise SA) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 14:05

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 14:05
Hairy,
Not having been up to Cape York before, does that mean swagging it on the ground is not recommended or is that area not a croc risk area?

Fab-io
0
FollowupID: 805724

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 14:21

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 14:21
Gday,
Don't know the Cape but its a big area.......some places would be worse than others , so ask around.
Personally, if I was going into a place I don't know Id have an option other then sleeping on the ground........like the roof or something.
Its all about reducing the odds.

Cheers
0
FollowupID: 805726

Follow Up By: Ross M - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:54

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:54
If you sleep on the ground and they know you are there they have "equipment" to unwrap a meal in a swag, no worries to them.

About three years back, maybe more, a few family members and the blokes brother inlaw camped near water, not too close and a croc took the father out of the tent. His mother jumped on the croc but it all ended when the BIL shot the croc. No other way to stop it taking the food.
The man survived but was not good and suffered damage, read long hospital stay.
0
FollowupID: 805740

Follow Up By: Tony F8 - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 21:43

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 21:43
Ross M.
Was that the Logan grandmother who jumped on the croc at Bathurst Bay ???
0
FollowupID: 805771

Reply By: Member - Noel K (NT) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 14:10

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 14:10
Make sure you can run faster than you mate!

Hope this helps.

Noel K.
AnswerID: 524150

Follow Up By: bigden - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:29

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:29
have to laugh at that, we camped at chili beach in cape york and drove to chili creek to find "fat boy" a local 5metre croc. we walked around for a bit and never found him. but we were between the mangroves and the water and mate had a gammy leg. told him he was buggered i the croc came out after us cause i could run a lot faster than him!
0
FollowupID: 805754

Reply By: Member Andys Adventures - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 14:46

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 14:46
Hi wato35,
I camped in a small dome tent with no fly when up at the cape with no problems at all. However I did not camp at Port Stewart because the camp ground was close to the water and they were big corc's around.
Don't walk across creek crossing first and keep the camp clean. you could put out fishing line with bells on it around the camp so any thing that comes within range will let you know.
The last person to die from a croc attack was at the Jardine ferry crossing that I know of, and they were swimming in the river.
Don't let this worry you as you will never enjoy your stay while you have this on your mind. More of a chance to be in a car accident than be eaten by a croc.
Andy

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 524155

Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:33

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:33
....."with no problems at all." ??
Well if you did have problems I don't think you would be posting here! LOL
Cheers
Allan

Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

1
FollowupID: 805737

Follow Up By: Ross M - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 17:00

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 17:00
Good point Allan B

Does the absence of a fly on the tent or having a tent fly make much of a difference to crocs? Maybe not.

With no fly and just mesh walls it's more like a croc deli.

0
FollowupID: 805743

Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 15:23

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 15:23
Crocs will respond to repeated events.
Problem is you have no idea what the last lot of campers at your spot did.

At Honeymoon Beach (where the locals will tell you it is fine to swim and there is no problem with crocs) I have seen croc tracks within 3M of our motorhome and on a different occasion, within 1.5M of a family in a tent camped 30M from the water.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome
AnswerID: 524157

Reply By: Hoyks - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 15:26

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 15:26
I have only heard of one person being grabbed from a tent http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1218062.htm

All other attacks I think have been people in or near the water. There was one bloke near Cook town that got taken when he moved into a camping spot near the river. The bloke that was leaving showed him where he had had some luck with the crab pots. New bloke went to set some pots at the same places but a croc had noticed a pattern from the previous few days and old mate was in the wrong place at the wrong time.


the points i got from the article:

"... there's still more chance of being killed getting to the Cape, than being taken by a croc."
and
"The Parks Service says would-be adventurers can travel safely in croc country as long as they follow a few rules – camp a good distance away from water, don't throw food scraps into the water and leave the dog, a croc's favourite meal, at home."
AnswerID: 524158

Reply By: Bludge - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:06

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:06
Up this way most established camping spots are in safe areas, if crocs have been spotted in the warning signs will be white as well as the normal yellow ones.

I always sleep on the ground, swag or tent. There is a big croc or 2 that sit at the crossing at Kalpowar in Lakefield NP but well away from any camping grounds.

Jardines full of them but camps are well away from the river mostly. Depends on where you will be.

So have a chat to the local and they will keep you safe...
AnswerID: 524159

Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:09

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:09
Gday,
I love the old saying you have a better chance of getting hit by a car than getting eaten by a croc............
So does that mean it's safer to swim across Adelaide river than to walk across Mitchel St?
AnswerID: 524161

Follow Up By: wato35 - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:41

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:41
What if you see a croc driving a car.
0
FollowupID: 805738

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:00

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:00
Run back and buy another kilo!
1
FollowupID: 805750

Follow Up By: Slow one - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 21:58

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 21:58
That is if you can afford a kilo.
Best way is to go by Daintree cow paddocks and pick up some gold tops or blue meanies. They are free and the trip will cost you nothing.
0
FollowupID: 805775

Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:31

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:31
When in a tent we stayed well away and kept a clean, unattractive (we hoped to crocs) camp site.

But my wife did not object to getting a roof top tent. Wonder why!! Ask your partner?? You may get the same response then all the troubles go away.

Phil
AnswerID: 524162

Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:56

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:56
Phil! A roof tent for night time and a pair of stilts for daytime! Its that easy! Michael
Patrol 4.2TDi 2003

Retired 2016 and now Out and About!

Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.

Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 805741

Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:59

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:59
I can just imagine it. Even on a bike our balances have gone away.

Ar you coming down for the PMs XI cricket game against the POMs?

Phil

Best for 2014 mate.
0
FollowupID: 805742

Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 17:34

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 17:34
Canberra I think! No sadly back to work on Monday! If you are going , ENJOY!!! Michael
Patrol 4.2TDi 2003

Retired 2016 and now Out and About!

Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.

Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 805748

Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:18

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:18
No worries. I have a spare ticket. Maybe we can put the keg on it.
0
FollowupID: 805752

Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 19:53

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 19:53
LOL!!!!!!!!
Patrol 4.2TDi 2003

Retired 2016 and now Out and About!

Somewhere you want to explore ? There is no time like the present.

Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 805762

Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:41

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 16:41
On the subject of walking creeks before driving across.................

Some advise walking creeks first but when you arrive there is a croc warning sign! What the ......??

I put that question to Matt Trezise, a Ranger who has spent his life on the Cape.

Matt said that he would not walk across any creek on the Cape.
Good enough for me!

So don't come complaining to me if you get taken. LOL

Cheers
Allan

Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 524164

Follow Up By: Ross M - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 17:16

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 17:16
Heard of one bloke who is quite careful and checks the crossings, he does it right so he sent the wife to walk across first.

No probs with the creek or the crocs. 2, yes, two checks in one. That's forward thinking and planning.
0
FollowupID: 805746

Follow Up By: Member Andys Adventures - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 20:23

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 20:23
There was a couple up at Lorella Springs last year that did just that. He sent his wife to check the crossing. He was telling us at the bar one night and I said what did you walk eastern creek and the wife looked at me as to say why what's wrong. I said did you see George the 6ft croc on the side of the bank at the crossing ( his favourite sunning spot) she collapsed to the ground. After reviving her I think he was buying a snorkel for the 4x4.
Then at gunshot a bloke got out of his truck with a small dog and I said there was a croc just down stream (saw it early that morning). His reply was that is what the dog is for. Felt like taking him to the croc after saying that.

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 805763

Reply By: Member - MIKE.G - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 17:31

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 17:31
Hi Wato, This is good enough reason to obey the signs. This chap was 50 meters away across the river in Lakefield NP at Old Faithfull camp. Evidently a bloke was taken here a couple of years ago retrieving his snagged pot. They found his watch and shorts on the bank. We estimated just over 5 meters and a bit bigger than the one we saw at 12 Mile Lagoon. They were there one minute and not a sight or sound the next. Most camps we saw in Lakefield NP are elevated for good reason.

Cheers,

Mike

AnswerID: 524165

Reply By: KevinE - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:24

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:24
I'm far more wary of camping near forum magpies!
AnswerID: 524167

Follow Up By: Member - kev.h - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 19:33

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 19:33
I was once given some good advice by an old bloke who traveled the cape regularly
He said always camp 20 m from the water and as crocks love dogs you take 3 dogs with you
Tie one up near the water, one at 5 m and one at 10m
When the first one yelps you take notice
When the second one yelps you pack up camp
When the third one yelps its time to leave

0
FollowupID: 805761

Reply By: Member - Rosco from way back - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:51

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 18:51
Slightly OT, but in 2012 we were fortunate enough to go on a private 4WD safari from South Africa up through Botswana and parts of Namibia ... what an adventure that was. 3 vehicles doing our own thing.

Anyway, we hired Hi-Luxs with roof top tents so were safe and sound above all the critters, but lots of people there sleep on the ground in pup tents. Apparently as long as you keep it well zipped up the beasties just look upon it as another rock. If you leave a leg hanging out that's another matter.

We did however hear of a group who were camped in this fashion near where we camped in the Central Kalahari Reserve. A pride of lions dropped in for a visit and stayed most of the day lolling around in the shade with some of them leaning up against the tents. From what we heard the people spent a few very nervous hours looking at the lumps bulging inwards. It all ended well, but shows how crazy things happen.

If it wasn't for the animals and the fact that nearly every tree was covered in thorns, we could have been travelling through the bush in Oz. Apart from the sunsets which are always magnificent due to the constant dust in the atmosphere.
AnswerID: 524171

Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 21:47

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 21:47
Rosco I have heard a similar thing from a guide in Africa with lions sharing your body warmth through the side of your tent, apparently you are perfectly safe but have a good look around before you head out for a pee in the middle of the night
0
FollowupID: 805772

Reply By: Idler Chris - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 20:52

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 20:52
A roof top tent, very comfortable, very safe, most of the time to high for the mossies and other bities, and snakes and mice cannot climb ladders. I get a great nights sleep every night knowing nothing is going to get me.
What other people think of me is none of my business.
Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 524173

Reply By: Tony F8 - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 21:39

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 21:39
Evening.
I assume from the thread, your talking about Cape York, I have travelled the Cape since the mid eighties, and still have all my limbs. If traveling the tele, you can walk the crossings without to much fear, crocs prefer the dark, dank water with a supply of food. Running clear water and lack of food does not hold a lot of interest for salties, on the coast, tidal creeks do hold an attraction as they have two slack periods at least twice a day, plenty of food and somewhere to lay up. As mentioned previously, on the coast do camp min 50 mts from water, never leave scraps lying around, etc. humans are not high on crocs food chain, particularly if there is fish and such available. They need to conserve energy, and cannot afford to waste it chasing hard to get prey. They are oppotunistic feeders, so don't offer them the oppotunity. There are always exceptions to the rule, as in everyday life. Lakefield does carry a healthy population of crocs, because it carries a healthy population of food. Look around you when you pull up, does it look like there is an abundance of food, the type of watercourse, for example the Hahn River, sandy sloping banks, not good, vertical banks ok. The media and the " a mates mate was at so an so and saw ....." , only creates more misleading information on a very controversial subject.
Cheers and drive safe.
Tony F8
AnswerID: 524177

Reply By: Motherhen - Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 23:15

Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 at 23:15
My husband went fishing on the Pentecost with friends from Kununurra. Three salties known to the locals watched and the fishermen watched with mutual respect. At night the tents were set up on the ute trays.

Motherhen
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 524180

Reply By: Malcolm 02 - Friday, Jan 10, 2014 at 00:56

Friday, Jan 10, 2014 at 00:56
I lived in the Kimberly (Koolan Island) for 11 years and the NT (Groote Eylandt) for another 11. When we camped we slept on the ground with our croc proof mosquito nets. If in a place where crocs are known to be around (like up tidal creeks), we slept on the high ground but generally we slept on the beaches.
On our trip up to the cape in 2006 we used our tent without fear, had a great time even in Lakefield and Cape Melville.
If you are worried, camp alongside others for safety in numbers.

Have a great trip.

Mal
AnswerID: 524182

Sponsored Links