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Cape York Peninsula Travel
Tips
& Warnings
Box
Jelly
Fish
The
Box
Jellyfish (Chironex
fleckeri)
is
the
World's
most
dangerous
marine
stinger.
It
has
been
blamed
for
60
deaths (mostly
children)
on
our
inshore
tropical
waters
since
the
1880s.
This
jellyfish
can
be
found
in
Northern
tropical
waters
between
Gladstone
on
the
Queensland
Coast,
to
Broome
in
Western
Australia.
Being
restricted mainly
to inshore
waters
it
is
not
found
around
the
structures
of
the
Great
Barrier
Reef
except
in
the
far
North
where
the
reef
is
very
close
to
the
mainland.
Prevailent
during
the
summer
months
from
October
to
May,
the
Box
Jellyfish
has
been
found
in
Darwin
waters
even
during
winter
months
from
June
to
September.
Most
popular
beaches
in
Northern
Territory
and
Tropical
Queensland
have
prominent
signs
warning
of
the
danger.
Many
lifesaving
clubs
will
drag
the
beaches
to
check
for
the
existence
of
stingers
during
the
summer
and
issue
alerts
to
local
radio
stations.
- Worst
tme: October
to
May
- Protection: Cover
up
as
much
as
possible(especially
the
legs)
when
swimming,
do
not
splash
around
in
the
shallows.
Stinger
suits
may
be
purchased,
pantyhose
can
help
provide
some
protection.
- If
Stung: Drench
the
skin
with
vinegar
for
30
seconds.
Resuscitate
if
neccesary.
Know
where
to
get
medical
help.
Keep
a
bottle
of
vinegar
and painkillers in
your
car. An equipped first aid kit is advisable to also carry in car.
- Warnings: Local
radio,
local
TV,
local
newspapers.
Crocodiles
Australia's
Tropical
North
a
habitat
for
two
types
of
crocodile-
Crocodylus
johnstoni,
the
freshwater
species
and Crocodylus
porosus,
ocean-going
or
estuarine
crocodiles.
Freshwater
crocodiles
are
narrow-jawed
and
do
not
exceed
three
metres
in
length.
This
species
are
normally
not
agressive
but
can
inflict
severe
injuries
if
wounded
or
cornered. The
ocean
going
species
can
grow
to
7
metres
in
length
and
are
extremely
dangerous.
Although
often
called
saltwater
crocodiles
they
can
be
found
hundreds
of
kilometres
inland,
in
rivers,
swamps,
and
floodplain
waterholes.
- Worst
tme: Year
round
- Warnings: Refrain
from
swimming
or
fishing
where
warning
signs
are
erected.
Don't
interfer
with
nesting
grounds.
If
you
happen
to
come
accross
a
basking
crocodile
retreat
quietly
towards
land,
do
not
place
yourself
between
water
and
a
crocodile.
- Advice: If
your
not
sure
don't
swim.
Ask
advise
from
local
park
rangers
or
tourist
information
centres.
- Sad
Fact: There
have
been
12
fatal
crocodile
attacks
in
Austrralia's
Northern
Tropics
since
1980
Cyclones
Intense
low
presure
systems
approaching
from
the
ocean
can
wreak
tremendous
chaos
and
destruction
during
the
summer.
- Worst
tme: December
to
March
- Warnings: Radio,
television
and
newspapers.
Remote
Areas
Many
areas
of
Far
North
Queensland
are
remote
and
4
wheel
drive
vehicles
are
recommended.
- Warnings: Check
road
conditions
before
travelling,
avoid
travelling
during
the
wet
season.
- Allways
Carry: Plenty
of
water
and
non-perishable
food,
first
aid
kit,
axe,
extra
petrol,
tyre
pump
and
jack,
detailed
maps.
- Recomended: Four
Wheel
Drive
with
winch,
radio
transceiver,
a
range
of
spare
parts,
tools
and
reasonable
knowledge
of
your
vehicle's
mechanics,
high
lift
jack,
tyre
levers,
tyre
hammer,
tube
repair
kit.
Wet
Season
The
wet
season
occurs
during
Australia's
summer
months.
Heavy
rainfall
and
flooding
are
common.
Travel
in
this
area
is
not
recommended
during
this
period
as
many
roads
are
impassable.
- Worst
tme: November
to
April
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