General News
1 April, 2026
Croc gets cosy at swim area
WILDLIFE officers have placed a temporary crocodile warning sign at a popular Babinda camping and swimming spot after several croc sightings, including those “officially” reported in recent weeks.
The swimming spot at Babinda Creek – between the Howard Kennedy Drive bridge and the Rotary Park free camping ground – is especially popular among families and travellers stopping over.
A local business owner and community advocate focused on safety awareness alerted the public to the possibility of a crocodile being in the creek where families often take their kids for an after-school swim and on weekends.
On her ‘Rocky the Ranger’ social media, Kylie Kuhn posted: “This crocodile has actually been in this area for the past couple of months and has been seen sunning itself along these banks – right where people swim.”
Ms Kuhn told The Observer that, while apparently only one official report was made of a croc sighting at the creek before a state government sign was erected, she had also heard of several crocodile observations in the vicinity.
“From the official DETSI reporting site, there is currently one recorded sighting for that location,” Ms Kuhn said.
“However, through Rocky the Ranger and ongoing conversations with locals, there have been multiple consistent community reports of a crocodile in that area over the past couple of months,” she said.
“Several people have described it as being around 3m in length and regularly seen along the banks, including reports of it sunbathing.
“While these accounts have come from different individuals and are consistent in detail, not all sightings are formally reported, which can create a gap between official data and what the community is experiencing.”
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) has confirmed the sightings.
“There have been three recent crocodile sighting reports near Babinda Creek, south of Cairns,” a DETSI spokesperson told the newspaper.
“DETSI wildlife rangers have inspected the area and found no evidence of a crocodile.
“We investigate every sighting report received and people can report crocodile sightings via the QWildlife app, online or by calling 1300 130 372.
The most recent sighting reports were received by DETSI on Sunday 22 March and Monday 23 March and both are being investigated.
DETSI says wildlife rangers conducted a site assessment and installed additional signage on Monday 16 March alerting the public to the recent sighting, following a report the day before.
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