7th – 8th August 2010
Up just before first light to follow our track out of Coppermine Creek. Garmin seemed to be slightly more accurate than Sea Map which had us going over land. Whitehaven with Her delivery crew of Mark and Bronnie were up and waiting for us, glad to see another yacht. Elevation went on to Silver Gull Creek while we kept our fingers crossed that no one else would be in Crocodile Creek.
While in Broome a navigational hazard along with many other helpful tips was given to us by Bruce Beatie on “Lizard” regarding entering Croc Creek: The complete frame that was at the BBQ area, Crocodile Creek was washed down the creek earlier this year, during some very heavy rains. It is now a ball of wire mesh and steelwork sitting on the outside of the last bend, (S 16 09 63 E 123 40 40 before you enter the falls. There was a black float marking the navigational hazard at high tide when we approached it.
We got up early one morning and set off in the dinghy at low tide, we managed to secure another yellow float on a long line to assist with the existing marker. There were many of the name plaques that we simply could not get too, without risking getting tangled up in the wreckage. We did however manage to salvage some, one of which was a piece of Malley Root with "Westward II" Stephen and Selena 2008 carved into it. Strangely, one of the other plaques we rescued was that of “Lizard”. We can only assume that there had been another flood tide since “Lizard” had been there a month earlier.
These plaques are now securely tied to the tree above the BBQ area along with one from "Catcha Star" Mark & Cathy 2010.
Crocodile Creek is an amazing place, there is enough room (just) for possibly four yachts if they raft up. The tidal range is between seven and ten metres, with about three metres depth at low tide. It is rather like being in a natural lock, surrounded by rock face. At low tide you cannot even get out in a dinghy and yes Crocodiles do find there way in.
There are two large freshwater rock pools, the lower one has been known to have Croc’s in it. We swam in the upper pool until later in the day when tourist’s arrived off one of the charter boats. They spent about half an hour in the lower pool, so we figured it was okay after that.
The Staff and Miner's from Cockatoo Island used to use Croc Creek as a recreational area, over time they had built a BBQ with a shade awning and paved patio area. The BBQ and paved area are still there, the rest is now a navigational hazard.
