Shelley Wright
Croc wise in Queensland When I first arrived on the Central Queensland coast many decades ago, fresh from the lush green hills of New Zealand where the most terrifying creature is a wētā (a large cricket), the thought of crocodiles had not crossed my mind. After buying a small neglected trailer sailer, my husband-to-be and I set about teaching ourselves to sail the hard way, by dodging coal ships and running on to nearly every sand bank in the harbour. Over a few drinks at the local sailing club, an old yachtie warned us to be careful sailing around the ‘Narrows’, the stretch of water surrounded by mangroves that runs between
the mainland and Curtis Island. He said there were crocs. We figured he was joking and took little notice. However, it wasn’t long before the chilling sound of a throaty growl and the sight of mud slides at low tide while we were out on our little boat had us taking him seriously.
The estuarine crocodile The estuarine, or saltwater, crocodile is the largest of all living reptiles, with males growing to five metres or more. They are found from India to northern Australia, and across to Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Yachts at anchor in croc country, Cairns.
SisterShip 36
