Crocodile safety: Be Crocwise

Introduction

Saltwater crocodiles are dangerous to people and pets.

You should always be aware of the risk of a saltwater crocodile attack in all Top End waterways.

It is never 100% safe to enter the water. Your personal safety is your responsibility.

Be Crocwise is a Northern Territory Government campaign to educate people about crocodiles and reduce the risk of attacks.

You must always be cautious. Be Crocwise every time you go near or in a waterway in the Top End.

Be Crocwise resources

Be Crocwise learning materials and talks can help teachers and students learn about crocodile safety.

Saltwater crocodiles live in both saltwater and freshwater areas of the Northern Territory (NT).

They are common throughout the Top End and Katherine regions.

Saltwater crocodiles were listed as protected in 1971 after being hunted almost to extinction.

Since then their numbers have increased and it is now estimated that there are between 100,000 and 200,000 in the wild.

Saltwater crocodile populations have expanded into areas where they have not been found since before hunting began.

Read more about crocodiles.

Most fatal crocodile attacks in the NT in the past 20 years have occurred when people have entered the water outside of designated swimming areas.

The NT government has a capture and management program for crocodiles that pose a risk to safety.


How to stay safe

This page has tips for staying safe in an area where there could be crocodiles.

Never swim in water  where crocodiles may live - even if there is no warning sign.

Only swim in  signed areas.

Obey all warning signs - they are there to keep you safe.

Always keep a lookout.

Stay well back from crocodile tracks - one may be nearby.

Never provoke, harass  or interfere with crocodiles. Even small ones.

Never feed crocodiles - it is illegal and dangerous.

Do not interfere with crocodile traps.

Be extra careful  around water at night.

Be extra careful  during the crocodile breeding season, from September to April.

Avoid going near the  edge of the water. Do not paddle or wade in the water.

Always stand at least 5m from the water’s edge when fishing.

Be extra careful when  launching or retrieving your boat - do not lean over the  edge of a boat or stand on logs overhanging the water.

Do not paddle, clean fish, prepare food or wash at the the water's edge or from the side of a boat.

Never dangle your arms  or legs over the side of a boat.

Crocodiles can attack people in boats. The smaller the boat, the greater the risk.

Don't enter the water to retrieve a lure.

Get out of the water as quickly as possible if you fall out of a  boat.

For more Crocwise information, get the boating and fishing in the Top End flyer PDF (1.5 MB).

Camp at least 50m from the water’s edge.

Avoid places where animals and livestock drink.

Avoid returning to  the same spot at the water’s edge to fill your bucket.

Dispose of food  scraps, fish offal and other waste in bins away from your campsite. Never leave food  scraps, fish frames or bait at your campsite, and check that other campers have  not left these behind.

Never prepare food,  wash dishes or do other tasks near the water’s edge or next to  sloping banks. Fill up your bucket and move away from the edge of the water.


Where you can swim

If a waterway does not have a swimming area sign, do not swim in this area.

There may still be danger if there is no sign. The area may not be safe or free from saltwater crocodiles.

It is safe to swim in all public and private swimming pools.

It is safe to swim in some areas at certain times of the year, as shown in the following table:

Park or reserve

Location

Time of year

Leanyer Recreation Park

Darwin

All year

Lake Alexander

Darwin

All year

Wave Lagoon

Darwin

All year

Berry Springs Nature Park

Main pool and Lower pool

Dry season only

Butterfly Gorge Nature Park

Katherine region

Dry season only

Elsey National Park

Mataranka thermal pool

All year except during extreme flooding

 

Bitter Springs

All year except during extreme flooding

Howard Springs Nature Park

Toddler pool and rock pools

All year

Limmen National Park

Butterfly Falls

Early to mid dry season only

Litchfield National Park

Wangi Falls

Dry season only

 

Florence Falls

All year except during extreme flooding

 

Buley Rockhole

All year except during extreme flooding

 

Walker Creek

Dry season only

 

Cascades

Currently closed

 

Tjaynera Falls

Dry season only

 

Surprise Creek Falls

Dry season only

Nitmiluk National Park

Katherine Gorge above the first gorge

Dry season only

 

Leliyn (Edith Falls) plunge pool and upper pools

Dry season only

 

Sweetwater pool

All year except during extreme flooding

Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park

Douglas Daly

Dry season only

Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park

Pine Creek

Early to mid dry season only


Private land

Allowing people to swim in waterways on your private land is a big responsibility. 

You should consider the risk and take actions to limit them if you are going to allow swimming on your property.

You can report a problem crocodile 24 hours a day.  

You must have a permit to destroy or interfere with a crocodile in the Northern Territory.

Read about crocodile capture and management and the conservation of crocodiles.