What started as a scenic hike to a remote Northern Territory lagoon nearly ended in disaster for Aussie adventurer Jackson Coffey and his girlfriend.
The couple had climbed high into the rocky escarpments to visit ancient Aboriginal cave paintings when they came across what looked like the perfect natural swimming hole.
But just as they were about to take a dip, something unexpected caught their eye.
‘We’ve just hiked up this hill for a bit of Aboriginal cave painting over there,’ Coffey says in his Facebook video, panning across the breathtaking landscape.
‘We were going to go swimming in this little freshwater pool, until we saw that,’ he continued in the clip, zooming in on a massive crocodile lying perfectly still on the bottom of the lagoon.
‘Just waiting for us. You can’t be too careful up these ways, they’re bloody everywhere these crocs.
‘We’re a fair way above sea level here – we had to climb up to get to this pool.’
From directly above, the predator is almost invisible, blending seamlessly into the lagoon floor, and a chilling reminder of how stealthy saltwater crocodiles can be.
What started as a scenic hike to a remote Northern Territory lagoon nearly ended in disaster for Aussie adventurer Jackson Coffey and his girlfriend (stock image)
The couple had climbed high into the rocky escarpments to visit ancient Aboriginal cave paintings when they came across what looked like the perfect natural swimming hole. But just as they were about to take a dip, something unexpected caught their eye
Locals were quick to point out that the pair had narrowly dodged not one, but two serious hazards though – the crocodile itself, and the stagnant water it was in.
‘Saved you from a major ear infection,’ one commenter quipped, referring to the health risks of swimming in still tropical water.
Another added bluntly: ‘Looks manky as… wouldn’t swim even if there was no croc.’
Others were fascinated that a crocodile had made its way so far up into the rocky highlands.
‘All the people that say “they can’t climb” – well explain why salties can be found in areas way above sea level,’ one experienced Territorian noted.
‘During big tides and floods they can get access to areas a lot higher than people realise.’
‘Looks more like a salty to me,’ another viewer chimed in.
‘They can also live in freshwater. Head is wider than a freshie.’
‘We were going to go swimming in this little freshwater pool, until we saw that,’ said Jackson in the clip, zooming in on a massive crocodile lying perfectly still on the bottom of the lagoon
Despite their name, saltwater crocodiles aren’t confined to coastal areas. They often travel far inland during the wet season, lurking in remote lagoons and billabongs for months at a time
Despite their name, saltwater crocodiles aren’t confined to coastal areas.
According to Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife, they often travel inland during the wet season, riding floodwaters into remote creeks, billabongs and lagoons, where they can remain for months at a time.
One commenter cleared up a common myth that salt and freshwater crocs both live in fresh water.
‘Saltys spend time in salt water/oceans for foraging or migration, but are most commonly found in estuaries, not open oceans,’ they wrote.
‘There’s a myth that if you are in freshwater you are safe from saltwater crocks.
Even if the crocodile hadn’t been there, the lagoon’s still, algae-coated surface was a red flag in itself.
Tropical stagnant water can harbour dangerous bacteria that lead to severe ear and skin infections, and in rare cases, life-threatening diseases.
‘If the water isn’t flowing, it’s not safe to swim in as dead or decaying animals in the water can create rare but deadly infections,’ one concerned viewer wrote.
And while this particular croc appeared dormant, locals reminded viewers how deceptive that can be.
‘Wouldn’t be much food in there so I reckon he’d be pretty hungry,’ one joked, while another advised the couple to throw a stick against the edge of the bank so it slaps the water.
‘It’s alarming how quick they are. It would swim from one side of that lagoon faster than we could run along the side of the bank.’
Thankfully, Jackson and his partner decided to skip their swim, but their close call is a timely reminder to anyone exploring the Top End.
