'Not swimming there': Frightening creature washes up near popular picnic spot
It’s not something you would want to see at a popular picnic spot.
Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife shared photos of a freshwater crocodile sitting in shallow flood waters after it washed up on a picnic area at Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park on Friday.
“More Wangi Falls photos from our rangers including some of a small freshwater crocodile that washed up in the picnic area,” the department wrote on Facebook.
A “colossal amount of rain” has flooded the Top End tourist attraction, with authorities warning people not to swim at Wangi or Florence falls.
“Wow, not swimming there,” one woman wrote underneath the department’s post.
“Washed out of my safe haven...not impressed,” a second person said.
A third person quipped: “Finally some facilities that cater for picnic loving crocodiles.”
An earlier update from the department said: “Our rangers have a huge job ahead of them to get Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park back up and running after a colossal amount of rain flooded the entire area.”
The waterfalls and waterholes in the Northern Territory national park draw in heaps of tourists every year.
Wangi Falls is known to also attract crocodiles in the dry season, which runs from May to October.
Just last year Wangi Falls was temporarily closed in August after a swimmer was bitten by a crocodile.
At the time of publishing, parts of Wangi Falls are open to the public, including the campground, picnic area and cafe.
However, swimming is not permitted “due to seasonal conditions” and it is expected swimming will be allowed again in May.
Due to the flooding, the Loop Walk at Wangi Falls is also shut.
More photos shared by Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife show roads completely flooded and fences and railing knocked over.
It doesn’t look like the rain will be easing in the Wangi Falls area, with showers forecast for the coming week, with the temperature hovering around 32 degrees.
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