Cruising with Crocodiles in Australia

By Marion Halliday - Half an hour into the Victoria River cruise and I’d already seen more crocodiles than I’d previously seen in my whole life. Three hours later and I was in serious danger of contracting the little-known crocodile overload syndrome. There is a reason the Victoria River, flowing through the heart of the Northern Territory, is known as Australia’s wildest river!

We rode the river past scenery so stunning – in a hardcore Aussie Outback kind of way – that it kept my shutter button humming.  It was so much fun, I nearly missed the first crocodile of the cruise. But that’s only part of my explanation for failing to see the gargantuan six metre (about 20 feet) muscular marauder – ‘Lord Lizard’ to the locals – sunning himself on the shore.

Turns out I’d actually seen him. But I just thought the croc was an old tractor tyre lying in the grass on the riverbank, seemingly so fascinating the other tourists were taking snaps of it. And then the penny dropped.

Crocodile-watching lesson #1 – don’t take anything for granted!

As Lord Lizard slipped into the murky, mud-stained water I guessed we were about to find out just how crocodile-proof our cruiser, the purpose-built MV Fleetwing, really was.

The Victoria River Sunset cruise isn’t just about the crocodiles. Or the sunsets. Or even the cruise! After we boarded a nicely restored 1971 tour bus, complete with nicely aged shock absorbers, we took a circuitous route from the tour’s Croc Stock Shop starting point to the jetty via some of Timber Creek’s best attractions.

Just 600 kilometres (370 mi) south of Darwin and an easy 289 kilometres (180 mi) drive south-west of Katherine along the Victoria Highway, Timber Creek is almost in the middle of Northern Australia, known to us Aussies as the “Top End”. A small town of about 250 permanent residents, it’s the real Outback deal with an intriguing blend of Indigenous, Colonial and Military history.

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Globerovers Magazine July 2019

Marion Halliday is Red Nomad OZ, author, blogger and Aussie traveller who loves discovering nature-based attractions and activities – and scenic loos – all over Australia. Her Aussie travel expertise, photography and the storytelling skills she developed in corporate life come together in her Aussie travel blog where the highlights (and lowlights) of her many years of downunder travel provide inspiration for other Aussie explorers.

All photos by Marion Halliday.

THIS ARTICLE CONTINUES ONLINE IN
Globerovers Magazine July 2019