River camping

[loose cannon]

This a Commodore friendly campsite. Easy drive from home and just a short run down a reasonable track.

Big sky country

[Toddyh]

Croc country too no doubt. Very jealous Mick.

[loose cannon]

Oh serious croc country Todd, seen a few up around the 5 - 6m mark. Fantastic barra fishing and excellent opportunities for birding etc etc.

This is the Fitzroy river and when it floods is a sight to behold. Last major flood was back in '78 and the river was 25 km wide at this spot. Typical of the Kimberley, everything is huge and the scale is hard to comprehend at times. Ten metre tides at the mouth too, mindboggling amounts of water charge up and down here.

You'd love the Kimberley mate.

[Alan]

Beautiful Sky

How far from the river do you have to camp yo be safe from the Crocs?

[loose cannon]

Depends on the bank to a large extent. The recommended distance on flat ground is 50m minimum, I think that is ridiculously close and feel 200m is a close as I would even think of camping. But then I NEVER sleep on the ground unless I have a high bank.

All salties are aggressive and some are extremely so. Total unpredictability is their trademark.

Can also depend on how long you plan on camping in the one location as they will watch and wait. Doing something like launching a dinghy from the same spot at the same time each day is fraught with danger. By day three the risk level is elevated as they will anticipate and lie in wait.

They are very good at what they do!

A mate of mine was camped on the Ord River and woke in the middle of the night to discover his tent was being dragged into the river. Luckily he had a knife in the tent and made an exit through the rear of the tent. He was about 70m from the bank but it was just a grassy slope, nowhere near steep enough to bother a croc.

But treat them with the respect they deserve and there really is no risk at all. I find them fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful.

[Toddyh]

You'd love the Kimberley mate.

I have no doubt. Planning has already begun for 2018.

Same as you I find crocs fascinating. But still treat them with huge respect. Camping up a high bank is the only way I will waterside camp up the top end. My camp at Lorella had a 2 tiered bank, lower about 2m and upper about 4m and I never even ventured down to the lower tier. Caught fish fine from the upper bank.

[loose cannon]

. ...Planning has already begun for 2018.

.

Good to hear

I'll save you a camp spot on the Fitzroy river.

[Toddyh]

Thanks Mick. I might actually be asking for some advice as the planning gets more serious.

[HansE]

Supposed to be going there this coming year but I think Mrs Lunchalot hovers around the three to four stars. I like lots more. I was going to do the Plenty in the 4wd instead of the motorbike. Friends that have travelled Oz a lot tell me that the Kimberley is the most beautiful part of Australia. So far my pick has been the McDonell Ranges. With trips planned to New Zealand Italy and France I might be pushing it, to get that trip in as well.

[loose cannon]

Sounds like you get around Hans!

The El Questro Homestead has accommodation ranging from budget camping to 5star plus and the scenery is out of this world. It ain't cheap though, if you want the 5star.

[HansE]

I like the thousand star accommodation.

[millicat]

Good info there Mick and a nice scene to go with it. I def wouldn't camp anywhere near a river that is home to crocs. Earlier this year some silly woman and her friend went skinny dipping whilst drunk up the Daintree somewhere ... croc country isn't it ... one woman got taken by a croc. Seriously though .. you just don't risk it .. or walking along the beach with your dog .. even around Cairns there are crocs emerging .. one around Clifton Beach, one near a boat ramp south side too.. scary stuff for those who frequent the beaches with the dogs.

[avkomp]

great colours in this one too. on my bucket list. well worth taking a commodore out there for certain

[loose cannon]

Good info there Mick and a nice scene to go with it. I def wouldn't camp anywhere near a river that is home to crocs. Earlier this year some silly woman and her friend went skinny dipping whilst drunk up the Daintree somewhere ... croc country isn't it ... one woman got taken by a croc. Seriously though .. you just don't risk it .. or walking along the beach with your dog .. even around Cairns there are crocs emerging .. one around Clifton Beach, one near a boat ramp south side too.. scary stuff for those who frequent the beaches with the dogs.

I heard about that lady being taken, people take extraordinary risks in croc country and it never ceases to amaze me.

great colours in this one too. on my bucket list. well worth taking a commodore out there for certain

Cheers Stephen.