Nice snap! Tourist photographs elusive crocodile living in Tablelands lake

A crocodile has been photographed and filmed calmly swimming near a popular Tablelands campground. WATCH THE VIDEO.

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AN elusive crocodile living in Lake Tinaroo has been snapped going for a swim.

Brisbane holiday-maker Darren Allen was at the Tablelands dam about two weeks ago, and walking along the lake near Camp Barrabadeen when he spied what he initially thought was a stick floating in the water early in the morning.

“I was just walking along the edge, and I thought, ‘that stick is starting to look like a croc’," he said.

“I got the camera out, and as I walked towards it, he lifted his tail out of the water and there was no doubt it was a freshwater crocodile.”

Freshwater crocodile photographed at Lake Tinaroo. Pic: Darren Allen

Freshwater crocodiles have been previously spotted at Tinaroo, with the reptiles mistaken for their far more dangerous relatives, saltwater crocodiles.

Mr Allen, a former Tablelands resident from more than a decade ago, said the croc paid no attention to him.

“I ended up leaving before he did – he was quite happy just floating there,” he said.

“I’ve been up here before, and always thought it was too cold for crocs, particularly in winter time.

“I don’t know many people who have seen crocs there – I imagine they’re quite elusive.”

Originally published as Nice snap! Tourist photographs elusive crocodile living in Tablelands lake