What You Will Find in This Post
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.
Leaving the bitumen behind we entered the National 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.
I used the SCN (Tropical Palm Tree) setting on the Sony Camera and hit auto correct in Pic Monkey with this photo.
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.
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.
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.
Can you see the other family swimming?
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.
Lines of Japanese Lanterns at Nara Japan
Looks so pretty and peaceful. The creek seems like it would be the perfect spot for a picnic.
Definitely Rachel.
Beautiful place! Plaster those photos…just everywhere!
Beautiful..
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 🙂
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.
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. 🙂
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.
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 🙂
Wow the landscape is stunning, I love the first image of the clouds which look more prominent and not washed out.
Thanks for pointing that out Noel. They are all a bit dark but that was actually what it was like that day. Quite ominous.
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.
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.