Tenting in the Kimberley

by Julie vanRooyen
(Australia, Perth)

Large saltwater croc in a swamp

I am wondering if it is o.k. to put up tents up there as I am scared of crocodiles.

Comments for
Tenting in the Kimberley

No need to worry about crocodiles, just be sensible
by: Birgit

Hi Julie,
I assume by "up there" you mean anywhere across the Kimberley?

Of course you can camp in a tent "up here". The quick explanation is that crocodiles live in the water. So just camp well away from the water and you have nothing to worry about.

For a longer explanation I'd need to know what you have planned for the trip. A more touristy drive along the bitumen to the convenient sights? Or are you into bush camping and fishing and getting off the beaten track?

The majority of tourists will never be in any saltwater crocodile areas. Our waterfalls and rock pools and gorges are not suitable saltwater crocodile habitat.

The areas where you need to be careful are the northern coast line and the big tidal rivers.

Places like the lower Ord River (below the Diversion Dam in Kununurra), the Keep River, the King River, the Pentecost, the creek mouths on the wilder beaches north of Broome ...

There are many popular fishing and camping spots along those rivers, though they are mostly frequented by locals, not by tourists.

It's in those places that you really need to stick to the guidelines from the crocodiles page. Camping is still perfectly safe, as long as you stay well away from the water and don't tempt the crocs with food scraps, fish guts, or similar.

If you are really terrified, just don't camp on any river banks at all. You'd just ruin your good nights sleep with worries! And just to say it once more:

Away from the rivers there is nothing to worry about.

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Submitted by: Birgit

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Hi Julie, I assume by "up there" you mean anywhere across the Kimberley? Of course you can camp in a tent "up here". The quick explanation is that crocodiles live in the water. So just camp well away from the water and you have nothing to worry about. For a longer explanation I'd need to know what you have planned for the trip. A more touristy drive along the bitumen to the convenient sights? Or are you into bush camping and fishing and getting off the beaten track? The majority of tourists will never be in any saltwater crocodile areas. Our waterfalls and rock pools and gorges are not suitable saltwater crocodile habitat. The areas where you need to be careful are the northern coast line and the big tidal rivers. Places like the lower Ord River (below the Diversion Dam in Kununurra), the Keep River, the King River, the Pentecost, the creek mouths on the wilder beaches north of Broome ... There are many popular fishing and camping spots along those rivers, though they are mostly frequented by locals, not by tourists. It's in those places that you really need to stick to <a href="http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/kimberley-crocodiles.html">the guidelines from the crocodiles page</a>. Camping is still perfectly safe, as long as you stay well away from the water and don't tempt the crocs with food scraps, fish guts, or similar. If you are really terrified, just don't camp on any river banks at all. You'd just ruin your good nights sleep with worries! And just to say it once more: Away from the rivers there is nothing to worry about.</a>

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