SAFE CROSSING

THE incoming tide at Cahills is six hours behind Darwin’s tidal times, and knowledgeable drivers use it to their advantage The most dangerous period is during the run-off season when huge volumes of run-off floodwaters rush over the causeway, but some drivers insist on challenging the river – and losing

Having driven to Arnhem Land and back many times, I have found that the best time to cross during the run-off season is when both the incoming tide and river peak when, for a few minutes, there is no current before the tide turns and the fun begins. Water depth is generally below 80cm and easy to cross But once the water speed picks up, forget about it or end up as lunch for the hungry crocodiles who wait with open mouths for fish to swim downriver.

Make no mistake, the crossing is only possible on the ebb tide in the run-off and during the dry season when there is little freshwater flow in the river Hungry crocodiles are ever present, waiting for the tide to push fish in on the upstream side, before switching over to the downstream side when the tide turns. It’s truly an amazing spectacle that is unmatched anywhere else in the country, perhaps the globe Check out the film clips on YouTube, especially the one that shows a drunk woman challenging a croc with a thong.

Adventure awaits in Arnhem Land – if you survive Cahills Crossing