Bowling Green Bay National Park
Bowling Green Bay National Park
Bowling Green Bay National Park
4.5
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4.5
25 reviews
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WorldTravla7
Cairns, Australia8,597 contributions
Oct 2019 β’ Solo
Alligator Creek (located in the Mt Elliot section of the park) is about 25 mins drive south of Townsville (turn right off the Highway) and is a perfect place for a tranquil picnic, walk & swim.
There is a large day use area with signage and a short 10 minute walk gets you to the creek (via boardwalk). There are some nice places to swim (providing there has been recent rain) and some lovely views from the lookout which is also close to the car park (30 minutes/1km). I enjoyed both walks as well as a refreshing swim.
There is a freshwater alligator in the creek but thereβs a low chance of coming across him (or her) and there is no danger.
If you feel adventurous or have the time there is a much longer hike (17 km, 5-6 hrs) to Alligator Creek Falls that I would like to try in the future.
There is a large day use area with signage and a short 10 minute walk gets you to the creek (via boardwalk). There are some nice places to swim (providing there has been recent rain) and some lovely views from the lookout which is also close to the car park (30 minutes/1km). I enjoyed both walks as well as a refreshing swim.
There is a freshwater alligator in the creek but thereβs a low chance of coming across him (or her) and there is no danger.
If you feel adventurous or have the time there is a much longer hike (17 km, 5-6 hrs) to Alligator Creek Falls that I would like to try in the future.
Written 25 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rambler592
Perth, Australia30 contributions
June 2013 β’ Couples
Travelling round Oz in our Van we stopped at this NP and though it was great.
There are seperate sights to park your van so your not squeezed next to other campers, there are free BBQ's and 2 burner gas stove (the only place in oz we have found free 2 burner stove), power point to charge stuff in the toilets, free cold showers and all for $5.50pp (whihc you can book on the payphone there as there is no phone reception)
There is a pretty fresh water creek running just near by, a good spot to chill out, take a dip and cool off.
A 7km round trip walk from the campground is worth the effort. It's quite a long walk and you have to cross the river a few times, sometimes waste deep! which is good fun. The last part of the walk through the forest is quite tough but easily do-able for people with general fitness, and the waterfall at the end of the walk is pretty, refreshing and worth the hike. 5 hours return, and it really is 5 hours!
We went for 1 night and stayed for 3 nights.
WILDLIFE:
In the afternoon the wallabies all start hopping about the grounds along with brush turkeys and when we where there there was the most amazing colouful phesant which had started hanging out with the turkeys. The ranger told us it was a European Game Pheasant that had probabaly been a pet that someone had released in the wild! Check our our photo
You get a few day tripper who come here but by the late arvo you get the place to yourself and anyother campers who are staying. It's gravel so not really good for tents but perfect for campervans, small RVs. There are about 8 spots so height of the season or weekends might get booked out.
More info on the site through NP services. Alligator Creek Campground in Bowling green Bay NP.
There are seperate sights to park your van so your not squeezed next to other campers, there are free BBQ's and 2 burner gas stove (the only place in oz we have found free 2 burner stove), power point to charge stuff in the toilets, free cold showers and all for $5.50pp (whihc you can book on the payphone there as there is no phone reception)
There is a pretty fresh water creek running just near by, a good spot to chill out, take a dip and cool off.
A 7km round trip walk from the campground is worth the effort. It's quite a long walk and you have to cross the river a few times, sometimes waste deep! which is good fun. The last part of the walk through the forest is quite tough but easily do-able for people with general fitness, and the waterfall at the end of the walk is pretty, refreshing and worth the hike. 5 hours return, and it really is 5 hours!
We went for 1 night and stayed for 3 nights.
WILDLIFE:
In the afternoon the wallabies all start hopping about the grounds along with brush turkeys and when we where there there was the most amazing colouful phesant which had started hanging out with the turkeys. The ranger told us it was a European Game Pheasant that had probabaly been a pet that someone had released in the wild! Check our our photo
You get a few day tripper who come here but by the late arvo you get the place to yourself and anyother campers who are staying. It's gravel so not really good for tents but perfect for campervans, small RVs. There are about 8 spots so height of the season or weekends might get booked out.
More info on the site through NP services. Alligator Creek Campground in Bowling green Bay NP.
Written 19 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CountryChick53
Townsville, Australia56 contributions
Feb 2017 β’ Couples
Alligator Creek Falls begins in the mountains and ccascades its way down to form Alligator Creek which is utilised by locals and visitors to cool their bodies during the summer hot months. I am a local and have been using the creek however, on Sunday I together with a friend walked 17 kms round trip to the head of the falls. It consisted of creek crossing 5 times with one being chest deep for me. The terrain was pretty and the birdlife was plentiful. Butterflies of many colours danced happily around us keeping us company. On arrival at the falls we chose to swim in the top waterhole and it was so refreshing. There were other hikers in a lower nearby hole. Well worth the 5 - 6 hour walk. A little bit of natures paradise. The information board said the walk was difficult but I had no problems.
Written 22 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ashelks
Greater Melbourne, Australia51 contributions
Jan 2018 β’ Family
Have been twice in the past week and loved it!! Decided to go somewhere different for a swim and were pleasantly shocked at how nice it was. Great picnic area, shady car parks and a great water hole. We took our small children and it was so peaceful with them there, which never happens!! The place is perfect for a hot day!! Will be going back again and again
Written 27 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jishy
Townsville, Australia26 contributions
May 2012 β’ Friends
The national park itself is broken into two main sections - the Mt Elliot/Alligator Creek section and the estuarine section near AIMS/Cape Ferguson. Both areas are about half an hour south of Townsville. The alligator creek section is located in dense forest up in the foothills of Mt Elliot, it has a small camping area and picnic area along with walking tracks down to swimming holes. One can also venture further up to the falls (approx a 6km hike) and possibly continue the unestablished trek up to Mt Elliot. It's a nice little getaway close to Townsville.
The estuarine section is popular for fishing and getting your 4WD bogged in mud.
The estuarine section is popular for fishing and getting your 4WD bogged in mud.
Written 9 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kaorh
London, UK65 contributions
Apr 2012 β’ Family
Closer than Paluma only 25mins south, a whole 1200m mountain with tropical rainforest, evolving independently of the more northern rainforests due to the arid conditions of Townsville just north. Several beautiful creeks, a 2 day walk to the summit and back. Brilliant find.
Written 9 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderer
Melbourne, Australia79 contributions
Sept 2018 β’ Friends
We initially chose to come here instead of going to a Crystal Creek for a swim but we were a bit disappointed that the creek had almost dried up. We didnβt get to swim but we did have a good time walking the trails and had a decent BBQ which was interrupted by Cookaburras and Turkeys fighting over pieces of bread.
Be careful when having a BBQ as birds may swoop in and grab something off the table.
Lovely lovely view and was nice and windy as opposed to the heat of Townsville.
Be careful when having a BBQ as birds may swoop in and grab something off the table.
Lovely lovely view and was nice and windy as opposed to the heat of Townsville.
Written 18 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josephine R
Townsville, Australia27 contributions
Mar 2018 β’ Friends
Take a dip in the beautiful running swimming hole or take a bush walk a find the abundance of wildlife including wallabies, rock wallabies, turtles, kookaburras, and even wild brumbies that all live peacefully in a beautiful slice of paradise.
Written 2 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsey T
Darwin, Australia53 contributions
Dec 2017 β’ Family
On a recent visit to Townsville we went out to Alligator Creek (on previous visits we had done the typical tourist spots).
It was only a short drive, maybe 20-25 mins. The creek is beautiful - shallow on my visit, great for kids, plenty of room to spread out. We went just before Christmas and we were worried about the water level but it was still running.
Just around the corner is a little 'waterfall' which we swam up to. We snorkeled and found some decent sized fish (about the length of my forearm) and lots of turtles. The lookout is a short walk and gives a nice view.
I was with my cousin and her kids - aged 9 and 6. The water was safe for them to swim and jump around.
It's 17kms (5-6 hours) hike to the waterfall which we didnt do with the kids. Area will change after rain and is prone to flash flooding.
It was only a short drive, maybe 20-25 mins. The creek is beautiful - shallow on my visit, great for kids, plenty of room to spread out. We went just before Christmas and we were worried about the water level but it was still running.
Just around the corner is a little 'waterfall' which we swam up to. We snorkeled and found some decent sized fish (about the length of my forearm) and lots of turtles. The lookout is a short walk and gives a nice view.
I was with my cousin and her kids - aged 9 and 6. The water was safe for them to swim and jump around.
It's 17kms (5-6 hours) hike to the waterfall which we didnt do with the kids. Area will change after rain and is prone to flash flooding.
Written 23 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KENPHOTO74
Townsville, Australia189 contributions
Nov 2017 β’ Solo
Bowling Green Bay National Park is split into two sections, the Alligator Creek section which is good for swimming or bushwalking and the coastal section, which is good for four wheel driving. You CANNOT swim in the coastal section as there are numerous Saltwater Crocodiles in the creeks and along the coast. In the Alligator Creek section there is a designated swimming area (no lifeguards), but you do need to be careful of the water levels, as during the wet season, the water level can rise quickly. You can walk to Alligator Falls, but unless the area has had a lot of rain, the falls are not normally running with much water.
Written 1 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI, please do you have an email address to book Alligator Creek camping and day use area? The web site link is not working?
Thanks Emma
Written 19 February 2024
there are sometimes freshwater crocodiles downstream of the main park area. these ones are not considered dangerous to humans
yes there is a camping area
Written 24 June 2016
No I don't think so due to being a National park
Written 21 September 2015
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