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Alligator Creek Rock Pool IPhone

Alligator Creek Townsville Reflections

February 25, 2015 By Jan Robinson 15 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.


What You Will Find in This Post

  • About Townsville?
  • Best Time to Visit Townsville and Alligator Creek
  • Are there really Alligators at Alligator Creek?
  • What Camera did I use?
  • Arrive early at Alligator Creek Mount Elliott
  • Things to know about Alligator Creek and Mount Elliott
    • More from my site

About Townsville?

Alligator Creek Townsville reflections is the first post under the banner of About Townsville which replaced our Tuesday in Townsville segment.

Read other Townsville HERE.

Best Time to Visit Townsville and Alligator Creek

In summer (November to April) the weather can be stinking hot here in Townsville, especially if there has been a cyclone hanging around. We’d just had one cyclone, Marty was building a new fence and I was busy planning our trip to Italy, Croatia and Slovenia in May/June of this year – both hot jobs.

So when Marty suggested a swim at Alligator I was all ears. Our daughter who was on holidays at the time came along for the (air-conditioned) ride.

We set off early in the morning, not to beat the crowds as you might think, but the worst of the heat. Although winter is the best time to visit Townsville, summer is the best time for a swim at Alligator creek. It is so beautifully refreshing, the water holes and deep and still and tiny fish dart around in the shallows.

Are there really Alligators at Alligator Creek?

No, there aren’t any alligators or fresh water crocodiles up in the fresh water section of the National Park, but I wouldn’t be getting out of the boat down at the mouth of the salt water creek.

Swimming is safe in the fresh water section of Alligator Creek.

Alligator Creek is also known as the Mount Elliott Section of the Bowling Green Bay National Park.

What Camera did I use?

I took Photos on both my IPhone 6+ and my Sony Cybershot 30x zoom.  It wasn’t until I saw the reflections that I thought that bringing our Pentax (good) camera might have been a good idea.  Oh Well.

This was taken on the IPhone, through the side window while the 4WD was moving.

Alligator Creek horses

 

Leaving the bitumen behind we entered the National Park.

Alligator Creek Nat Park

I raced around taking photos before anyone jumped in and created ripples.

This one was from the IPhone.  I hit the magic wand icon for auto enhance which did not change it much.
Alligator Creek IPhone Reflections

I used the SCN (Tropical Palm Tree) setting on the Sony Camera and hit auto correct in Pic Monkey with this photo.

Alligator Creek Sony Reflections

Which one do you like best?

While I was off taking Photos Cassie thwarted a bush turkey rifling through our snacks and hung the food bag from a tree.  By the time I arrived on the scene they were swimming and the Turkey was taking sweet revenge on our belongings, raking the clothes pile with his talons, looking for hidden goodies or just plain cranky I guess.

Alligator Creek Turkey 2

The air was still – like the calm before the storm.

Taken on my IPhone and edited in Pic Monkey using AutoCorrect, this photo best captures the day.  It was hard to see where the reflections began and the rocks finished.

Alligator Creek Rock Pool IPhone

 

Arrive early at Alligator Creek Mount Elliott

It was an inspired decision to leave home at 9 a.m. as we had the creek to ourselves for a while before another family arrived.Vacating the pool we walked for a couple of minutes to a lookout over the creek.

Alligator Creek Walking Track IPhone

 

Alligator Creek LookOut IPhone

Can you see the other family swimming?

Alligator Creek from Lookout

 

The water was fresh and clear and I could see little and not so little fish darting here and there, which reminded me of the feet cleaning fish tanks of Cambodia.

The brown colour of the creek water is from the leaves on the bottom.We’ve been getting a bit of rain and I was surprised that the creek had not been flushed out by floodwaters by now.  It was still gorgeous and oh so refreshing.

Things to know about Alligator Creek and Mount Elliott

As well as the day area there is a camping area.   Make bookings here.  Not suitable for caravans.  Expect to see wallabies in early morning and late afternoon.

Entrance is free.

Bring drinking water, food, sunscreen, hat, bathers and walking shoes if you wish to do the 14km hike.

If you just want to rock hop your way up the creek bring some shoes that can get wet – if you are irresponsible like me you might choose rubber thongs. In any case I don’t advise bare feet as the rocks get hot and you’re bound to cut your feet on something!

Alligator Creek is at Mount Elliott and forms part of the Bowling Green Bay National Park.  Turn right from the Bruce Highway 25km south of Townsville and follow the bitumen for 5.5 km.

Alligator Creek is on of our fun things to do in Townsville.

Read more about Australia.

More from my site

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  • Travel Deja VuTravel Deja Vu
  • A Walk around Lake BledA Walk around Lake Bled
  • How to visit Palatine Hill Rome Colosseum Forum Rome TicketsHow to visit Palatine Hill Rome Colosseum Forum Rome Tickets
  • Townsville City Restaurants Street Art and Fun at City Lane TownsvilleTownsville City Restaurants Street Art and Fun at City Lane Townsville
  • Head over HeelHead over Heel

Filed Under: Road Trips, Townsville, Wildlife

About Jan Robinson

Jan Robinson writes about travel on her Budget Travel Talk blog. A solo traveller in her teens, for the last 40 years Jan has travelled through Australia, Asia, Europe, Turkey and New Zealand with her husband. They specialise in road trips, caravanning and Independent travel without spending a fortune. Her favourite destination is Turkey and she is currently dreaming of Myanmar and Mexico.

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Next Post: The Rose Valley Cappadocia or a Walk Amongst the Fairy Chimneys Rose Valley Cappadocia»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachael@safari254

    February 25, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Looks so pretty and peaceful. The creek seems like it would be the perfect spot for a picnic.

    Reply
    • Jan

      February 25, 2015 at 7:28 pm

      Definitely Rachel.

      Reply
  2. Corinne

    February 26, 2015 at 12:49 am

    Beautiful place! Plaster those photos…just everywhere!

    Reply
  3. Muza-chan

    February 26, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    Beautiful..

    Reply
  4. Mike

    February 26, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    I’m not swimming in any place called Alligator! I don’t care how far away downstream they may be LOL! So, the two photo comparisons…it would be cool to have the sky in the top one and the green in the second one. Oh my, one of these days I so badly want to get down there to visit you with you, Jan. Just to go for one of your awesome walks. Sorry it is so hot! As I told you a year ago…I don’t like super hot. I hope you are having a great week, my friend! 🙂 p.s. I still LOVE getting my maps 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kathy Marris

    February 26, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I’m relieved that there are no Alligators at Alligator Creek! It looks like a lovely spot for a dip and a picnic. I think I like the second photo the best which looks a bit lighter and brighter. The reflections of the rocks in the water are astounding.

    Reply
  6. Krista

    February 26, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    What a gorgeous place to escape to! Your photos are stunning – I can’t choose a favorite, I’m afraid. I can’t get over how still the water is. 🙂

    Reply
  7. hikebiketravel

    February 27, 2015 at 2:04 am

    Looks like a very pretty part of the world. I don’t envy you with stinking heat & humidity but planning a trip always helps when you know you have something to look forward to.

    Reply
  8. Lisa Wood

    February 27, 2015 at 10:45 am

    What beautiful photos on your iphone, gosh the water reflections are so clear, almost like we are standing there.
    Glad there is no alligators there! Mind you with all the crazy weather we have been getting I wouldn’t be surprised if a crocodile made it to the creek! That Turkey would have been upset to not eat your food! Good on your daughter for out smarting it 🙂

    Reply
  9. noel

    March 3, 2015 at 10:15 am

    Wow the landscape is stunning, I love the first image of the clouds which look more prominent and not washed out.

    Reply
    • Jan

      March 3, 2015 at 10:25 am

      Thanks for pointing that out Noel. They are all a bit dark but that was actually what it was like that day. Quite ominous.

      Reply
  10. Johanna

    March 6, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    This looks such a lovely place, and has me longing to get back east! Love the pic of the family swimming way down below you. Great perspective.

    Reply
    • Jan

      March 6, 2015 at 7:58 pm

      It was lovely to have the place to ourselves for a while. It was quite hot and oppressive that day so the cool water was divine.

      Reply

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