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Author Topic: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba  (Read 9115 times)

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Offline myminirocks

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Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« on: June 16, 2015, 08:32:19 PM »
Hey all, we are struggling to find much in the way of Croc free swimming holes/creeks north/inland of Mareeba.

We have 4 small kids which poses 2 problems and 1 solution. The problems are 1. They need somewhere to swim/kayak when camping and 2. They cannot be as croc wise as an adult when playing near water.

The 1 solution is that we have plenty of bait to test any waters before we get in.  (Kidding, we use the dog for that!)

So I'm hoping people out there can suggest some river side campsites where swimming is safe and croc free.

Thanks.


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Offline Lobster

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2015, 07:38:02 AM »
I don't think you will get anyone recommending swimming holes except that of the local public pool. Some people (idiots  ;D) take more risk than I ever would.

Simply abide by the signage and if in doubt don't swim, be sure, be safe.

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Offline myminirocks

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2015, 08:21:39 AM »
Yes I agree Lobster, there are plenty of people who are very brave (read: stupid) around croc country.

I guess what I'm asking is are there any croc free swimming spots, ie spots that are upstream from large waterfalls, great distances from the estuaries etc. As it stands I don't see the attraction in "the cape" when you can't swim anywhere.

My kids (and I) are big swimmers and there is no way I will be able to relax while camping unless we are near a safe swimming spot because it fills hours in the day for the kids (therefore out of my hair) and has them proper worn out come bed time each night.

I should point out we don't have a problem swimming in areas of freshwater crocs, we have been doing that since we were kids.

Everyone swims at places like twin falls and fruit bat falls etc, why is it that they are safe? And are there other places like them?


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Offline @fnq4now

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2015, 11:45:55 AM »
How far out of Mareeba are you wanting to look?
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Offline barraboy

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2015, 12:17:48 PM »
Davies Creek/Dinden National park Camping area is brilliant. Approx 15ks East of Mareeba on Cairns Road. Book via Website and Camp site 4 and 5 are the pick although the others are all good as well. Each campsite is separate and every 2 sites share a Drop toilet. Water is Crystal clear and being in the Ranges is croc free but the water temperature will see your family jewels shrink.
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Offline myminirocks

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2015, 02:45:00 PM »
@fnq4now we are heading off for 2 weeks shortly, via daintree and Cooktown, but after that I want to head inland, find a croc free river bank and plant myself there for the remainder of the 2 weeks. So I'm thinking in the general vicinity of north of mareeba, but south of Cape Melville, east of Dunbar. That General area..... 

@barraboy- I agree. Davies creek site No. 5 is just perfect. That is precisely what I'm after but a little further from mareeba. (I live in mareeba, I don't want to "bump" into people I know! )


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Offline sol

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2015, 04:56:18 PM »
Reedybrook, Blencoe Falls, Goshen are a few but maybe a bit far away.

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Offline @fnq4now

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2015, 05:11:22 PM »
Within a half hour from Mount Carbine you have McLeod's River, Cooktown Crossing and Hurricane Station, all of which offer beautiful, croc free swimming.
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Offline myminirocks

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #8 on: June 17, 2015, 08:45:02 PM »
Ah ha! Now we are talking guys! Looking into those options as we speak. I had heard hurricane was no longer allowing camping, added to that they we out of water almost???


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Offline myminirocks

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #9 on: June 17, 2015, 09:24:25 PM »
Goshen looks great! I'd never heard of it, but then, we don't watch TV so missed the whole survivor craze. I have a friend who camps at McLeod, but he said and can get very crowded. Thanks everyone. Any more suggestions out there?


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Offline Bill

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #10 on: June 18, 2015, 06:13:49 AM »
Quote from: myminirocks on June 17, 2015, 08:45:02 PM
Ah ha! Now we are talking guys! Looking into those options as we speak. I had heard hurricane was no longer allowing camping, added to that they we out of water almost???


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Your right about no camping at Hurricane.
But right next door to Hurricane Station is Calmer (or Kalmer) Waters and they allow camping.
Ive been there and it is nice.
Bill
« Last Edit: June 18, 2015, 06:16:08 AM by Bill »
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Offline Bird

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #11 on: June 18, 2015, 06:22:12 AM »
Quote from: myminirocks
As it stands I don't see the attraction in "the cape" when you can't swim anywhere.
I don't think 99% of people heading to the cape go there for a swim....
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Offline myminirocks

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #12 on: June 18, 2015, 07:03:29 AM »
True bird, and I guess that's why I couldn't find much on croc free swimming up this way. We will "do the cape" one day, but not with 4 kids under 9, at this time in our camping career, we need to camp somewhere the kids can swim.

I have heard of Karma waters station, but I have a feeling they are out of water also. I'll give them a bell.

Thanks guys!


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Offline McGirr

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #13 on: June 18, 2015, 07:18:32 AM »
Some of the great croc free swimming at the Cape. :cheers:

Mark
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Offline @fnq4now

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #14 on: June 18, 2015, 01:30:57 PM »
Hurricane Station are open for camping again.  I camped there only a few weeks ago and there was plenty of water.  The current managers have stipulated no hunting, and no hunting dogs.  Call Rose on 07 40948234 to book.

Quote from: Bill on June 18, 2015, 06:13:49 AM
Your right about no camping at Hurricane.
But right next door to Hurricane Station is Calmer (or Kalmer) Waters and they allow camping.
Ive been there and it is nice.
Bill
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Offline Bill

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #15 on: June 18, 2015, 08:06:30 PM »
Quote from: @fnq4now on June 18, 2015, 01:30:57 PM
Hurricane Station are open for camping again.  I camped there only a few weeks ago and there was plenty of water.  The current managers have stipulated no hunting, and no hunting dogs.  Call Rose on 07 40948234 to book.
Thanks for the information.
I always enjoyed camping there so its nice to see I can again.
Bill
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Offline BTMNDR

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #16 on: June 19, 2015, 02:44:27 PM »
Take the Hurricane Rd north west of Mt Carbine, after 9 km, turn left towards Mt Mulligan.  As you cross the ford over the Mitchell River, on your right is a beaut stretch of river to camp on.  I've only camped there twice but was told too far upstream for salties, and haven't seen any there when I did camp.  Several of us swam there both times. 
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Offline myminirocks

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #17 on: June 23, 2015, 09:15:37 PM »
Yes Mark, not quite heading that far north this time.

@fnq4now that's great news. Hurricane has been on my list for years but I have never managed to get there.

BTMNDR- noted, I'll check that one out


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Offline @fnq4now

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #18 on: June 24, 2015, 03:42:02 PM »
BTMNDR is spot on with everything he said.  That site is known as Cooktown Crossing.  Great swimming, red claw, Cherabin, the occasional freshwater croc.  It's often packed out on long weekends, school holidays etc.  If you can avoid those times you'll love it.  It's also a considerably less/easier drive than getting to Hurricane (and free).
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Offline myminirocks

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Re: Croc free safe swimming north and inland of Mareeba
« Reply #19 on: June 29, 2015, 12:50:18 PM »
Yes that Cooktown crossing is looking very promising!


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