Whenever you consider harmful roads, possibly it’s a mountain go, icy circumstances or horrible site visitors. Nicely how a few street the place you drive by a crocodile-infested river three hours from the closest hospital?
It’s no exaggeration to say Kakadu, three hours east of Darwin, is magnificent. The twice the dimensions of Lebanon, this nationwide park within the Northern Territory has all the pieces.
Kakadu’s landscapes are extremely various, with savanna woodlands, monsoon vine forests, hills and sandstone escarpments, tidal flats, mangroves, rivers and billabongs—even 100km of rugged estuarine shoreline inside its borders.
House to the Bininj/Mungguy, the longest dwelling tradition on earth, Kakadu has one of many largest collections of historical rock artwork within the nation. It’s additionally filled with dramatic landscapes and waterfalls, filled with wildlife—nearly a 3rd of all Australia’s chicken species reside right here.
There are additionally an terrible lot of crocodiles.
Within the Northern Territory, there are over 100,000 grownup saltwater crocodiles. Round 10% of them reside in Kakadu Nationwide Park alone. There are additionally freshwater crocs right here too, however they’re normally shy and infrequently seen. The salties, nevertheless, are daring, aggressive and voracious.
Discover extra of our tales on Kakadu right here.
Operating straight throughout one of many main roads that cleave the border between Kakadu and Arnhem Land’s Garig Gunak Barlu Nationwide Park, the East Alligator River is a favorite looking floor for lots of of crocodiles.
Try our video of Cahill’s Crossing:
Within the dry season, between Could to October, the water ranges of the East Alligator are low sufficient to permit 4×4 autos able to water crossings to ford the river.
Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless dangerous.
Together with the river currents and particles like rocks and branches, the street can also be the shallowest level of a typical white mullet swim. These giant fish are compelled down the brackish water by tide flows and fill the waterway, engaging many giant crocodiles into the realm.
And that’s all a part of the spectacle.
From the (very secure) viewing platforms a couple of metres above the banks of the river, with whistling kites circling overhead, you possibly can watch these dwelling dinosaurs snap fish up as they swim previous, crunching down on them with their highly effective jaws.
And the longer you gaze on the river, the extra crocodiles you see.
At first they seem like floating logs, however you then discover these ‘logs’ maintain their place within the stream of the river. Then one turns, its sharply crenelated tail turning. You see eyes and a protracted snout, the glint of lengthy tooth.
Generally you see little entrance ft poking out of the water.
After they’re looking on the floor, salties—and solely ones on this space—have developed what’s known as the ‘cross posture method’. They’re really feel for fish that swim by them that they will attain spherical and chomp up, trebling their possibilities of catching a meal.
What’s The Finest Time To Go To Cahill’s Crossing?
The most effective time of yr to see crocodiles at Cahill’s Crossing is within the dry season, however particularly between July-October, when the motion of fish upstream is at its biggest.
Throughout this time, low tide is prime viewing. Seeing the tide change and the crocodiles all flip to face the water stream, and subsequently oncoming fish, is fascinating.
It’s additionally essentially the most dramatic time to see automobiles crossing, water surging above their headlights, every bump and bounce of the uneven street floor certainly sending sickening jolts by the stomachs of the motive force and their passengers.
Low tide additionally means you’ll be capable to see the crocs as they swim and climb onto the inundated street, poised ready for fish—or anything—that may float into their deadly jaws.
What About The Automobiles?
It’s superb to observe autos* driving by the river—already a precarious manoeuvre—after which must keep away from a big crocodile that’s determined to arrange camp on the submerged street.
By legislation, drivers have to present technique to the animals, who have a tendency to not take a lot discover of huge four-wheel-drives or service autos bearing down on them. Ultimately the crocodile will transfer out of the best way, a surging splash signalling its retreat to deeper water.
Autos should have four-wheel-drive capabilities, excessive clearance and ideally a snorkel for this sort of water crossing.
*As a result of this street leads throughout the border from Kakadu Nationwide Park to Arnhem Land and Garig Gunak Barlu Nationwide Park, you want a separate allow to cross the East Alligator River right here.
The place Else Can You See Crocodiles In Kakadu?
With so many salties within the park, there’s an excellent probability you’ll see one in most giant water sources. For sure, until you’re with a information or a parks official has instructed you expressly, don’t swim at Kakadu. There are locations which can be secure, however you continue to must examine.
Additionally, by no means be the primary one in!
The Yellow Water Billabong (Ngurrungurrudjba), which is a part of the South Alligator River, and in addition close by Jim Jim Creek is filled with crocs.
You are able to do superb cruises alongside Yellow Water—extremely really useful.
There are additionally river cruises you possibly can take as much as the southern fringe of Cahill’s Crossing. The boats transfer between these big apex predators as they hunt.
Locals discuss with individuals who do that as ‘short-term residents’
As you possibly can think about, it isn’t a good suggestion to attempt to go over Cahill’s Crossing on foot.
The Conventional Homeowners ask you to steer clear of the water’s edge, to not cross the causeway on foot and to watch these spectacular creatures from the security of the viewing platform.
Couldn’t agree extra!
