Kakadu National Park Warnings Or Dangers

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Throughout Kakadu National Park you wil lfind rivers, streams and still water areas which may (or may not) be home to a residency of crocodiles. Admittedly, some of these may be freshwater crocodiles but it many areas they will be saltwater crocodiles (or salties). These denizens of the water can be the torture of an area but are definitely the kings of these waters.

The Saltwater Crocodile is the world's largest reptile and can be found on the northern coast of Australia and in inland waters for up to 100 kms or more. They can grow to lengths of 7 metres whilst a good average is 4 metres. Whatever the size, they are NOT human friendly and should be avoided at all costs.

Please review the website below for appropriate cautions when within saltwater crocodile areas.

In 2004, when I visited the Outback for the first time, I was not fully aware of the problem with the flies, especially at the end of the dry. When I was walking in the Olgas I breathed in and swallowed about six flies. Believe me, it's as nasty as it sounds and ruined my visit pretty much! I think they go for the moisture in your breath and your eyes. This time I was prepared. We had stopped at a road house near the park entrance and I bought a fly net for my head. I got laughed at by some Sydneysiders on the tour, but I didn't mind. When I was visiting the Nourlangie Rock Art site and the Ubirr Rock Art sites the flies were swarming about my mouth but held at bay by the net. Vindication! Not everywhere in the park had this problem. I wasn't bothered at all on the boat trips, but near the escarpments they are numerous as the trees.

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Some remote locations have Emergency Radios for times of real need. These are an absolute thrill to see when you need help. They are monitored between the hours of 8am and Midnight most of the time. Remember these are not telephones, so it is important to follow the instructions with the radio. Break the glass on the small box to access the button. Press the button for a few seconds and wait for a message, that will tell you a Ranger has been called. When you hear the Ranger speak, listen carefully. When he asks, press the Black Button and tell the Ranger where your location is and your emergency. Only press the button to speak, when finished release your finger from the button and listen. Hopefully you will not need to use this service but it helps to have preread the procedure to help in the event of an emergency.

Remember you are in the hot, humid area of Australia. When hiking, wear a Hat, take plenty of water, and put on the sunburn cream more than once, it doesn't last for ever. Wear proper shoes, not loose sandals or thongs, your feet may feel on fire, but its better than a twisted ankle or broken bones in an out of the way place.
YOU WILL PROBABLY BURN MORE ON A HOT OVERCAST DAY THAN ON A SUNNY DAY.
Wear insect repellant, will make you hiking much more pleasant.
Have a good time!

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Main photo Flattened cane toad on road
Photo 2 Cane toad permanently submerged
Photo 3 Cane toads alive and well.

In the past few years, the Cane Toad (bufo marinus) has managed to somehow migrate west from Queensland into the Northern Territory where it is wreaking carnage on much of the wildlife – it breeds prolifically and contains a toxic poison which means curtains to any predator unwise enough to eat it. These dreadful beasts were introduced to Australia in 1935 by a few misguided cane growers despite official advice, to control pests in sugar cane crops, and now have spread in the coastal regions as far south as northern New South Wales and across the Top End into the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The list of wildlife becoming endangered because of their presence is horrifying.

These things become ‘good’ only by becoming very dead indeed! The main photo shows one we found on the main road near Gunbalanya. The second photo is of a dead one in the river at Koolpin Gorge in Kakadu, while the third photo shows some very live examples in the caravan park at Adelaide River, apparently waiting for moths attracted by the lights. They’re harmless to you, unless you touch them, but should you have a suitable instrument to dispose of any you may find, I encourage you to do so.

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Photo 1 Munching mozzie
Photo 2 Another munching mozzie
Photo 3 High-powered insect repellent
Photo 4 The results if you have an allergic reaction to mosquitos.

An inherent problem of ‘going bush’ is that some beasties out there think you represent a walking food supply. No, I’m not talking about crocodiles here, they’re avoidable (just don’t go near any water unless there is a clear guarantee that it’s safe). What you won’t avoid though, are the vast swarms of mosquitos, which will assail you as the sun descends. They tend to be worst at sunset and dawn, though some will hang around all evening if given the opportunity.

DO buy and use a good quality high-strength mosquito repellent. The really high powered version has 80% active mozzie-repellent ingredient – that’s enough to soften plastic, so if you smear it on, DO wash your hands afterwards and be careful what else you touch (we left fingerprints in sunglasses frames and a few other items became ‘sticky’, and it’s definitely not recommended in eyes)!

Keeping mozzies at bay isn’t just to avoid the irritation, they can carry some quite nasty viral diseases apart from malaria (which is no longer a problem in northern Australia). They also can bring up some significant welts should you have any allergy (third photo)!

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Mozzies are everywhere in the bush and especially near waterholes.
I'm lucky that they don't bother me, but some of the others got bitten heaps.

So as us aussies say, don't forget the aroguard (or rid) and also a can of spray to spray the tent comes in handy too....because the noise of mozzies flying around your head all night can keep you awake....even if they don't like your blood haha :o)

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These signs are everywhere in Kakadu & Arnhem Land.
Just weeks before here at Cahills Crossing, the Rangers captured Eric - a huge croc that had been pestering people in this part.

So wherever you see a Croc Danger sign.....don't go in the water!