Was a crocodile really spotted in Noosa? Some locals think so, but this expert is dubious

Queensland authorities say they will investigate multiple reported crocodile sightings at Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast, hundreds of kilometres south of Queensland’s “croc country”.

While speculation intensified after the emergence of sonar photographs apparently showing a crocodile at the Noosa River’s entrance, one expert said it was highly unlikely that the animal would travel so far south in winter.

James Graham, the fishing enthusiast who took the underwater photos from his boat on Sunday afternoon, believed they showed a large reptile.

Reported croc sighting in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. Credit: James Graham

He posted the photos online hours after another man reported seeing a 3.5-metre croc about 450 metres away at the Noosa Spit dog beach.

“I did hear that someone had seen one in the morning, and I’ve got to say I thought that is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard,” Graham explained over the phone on Monday morning.

“We couldn’t work out why nothing wanted to bite, there just wasn’t any fish in the usual spot.

“And then next thing you know my mate goes ‘oh, look at this on the fish finder’ and sure enough it’s something that looks a lot like a croc to me.”

The initial report of a “3.5-metre crocodile” along a dog beach appeared on a Noosa community Facebook group, posted by Ross Buckley.

“At first I thought it was a bit of driftwood, but then it moved,” Buckley posted.

“I quickly put the dog on the lead and kept my distance. Not sure what’s going on with wildlife lately but this gave me a real fright.”

He did not respond when contacted by this masthead.

Dr Ross Dwyer, a senior lecturer in animal ecology at the University of Sunshine Coast, said he was dubious, but the claimed sightings were not entirely impossible.

“If I was down there with my kids I’d be particularly vigilant,” he said.

“But I’d be incredibly surprised if that turns out to be true, particularly this time of year.

“A crocodile would be struggling in such cold water. They could still survive in it, but what you would typically see at this time of year is crocodiles spending a lot of time out basking.”

File photo: A crocodile basking in the late afternoon sun next to the Endeavour River estuary in North Queensland.Credit: Andrew Clark

Dwyer said the Boyne River near Gladstone – more than 300 kilometres north of Noosa – is the recognised Queensland boundary for crocodiles, and few have ever been credibly seen so far south.

“The jury’s still out. I think it’s highly unlikely,” he said.

“It’s worth investigating, and the Queensland government will go and check this out.”

Graham said he had never seen a crocodile in the area before either, but many who had been fishing on the Sunshine Coast for years had stories of encounters.

“The old timers have always said they’ve seen a croc or two,” he said.

“I think if you talk to any oldies up here, they’ll all have a story for you.”

He said he understood doubts about the likelihood of crocodiles just a 90-minute drive north of Brisbane, but forwarded the photos to government rangers because he believed they were best placed to investigate what is in the river.

“I think it’s healthy to be sceptical,” he said. “Having a croc this far south in the middle of winter in the River Noosa is a bizarre thought to me too.

“When you look at the fish finder, your eyes immediately tell you what you see … and then you kind of go through the rationalisation that that doesn’t make any sense.

“I’m scratching my head, but I know what I saw.”

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation confirmed it was investigating both sightings.

“While the investigation is ongoing, people are asked to be vigilant around the water,” it said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

“The Noosa area is considered atypical crocodile habitat, and any crocodile confirmed to be present will be targeted for removal from the wild.

“Anyone who sees what they believe to be a crocodile in the Noosa area is encouraged to make a sighting report as soon as possible.”

In February, a crocodile was seen in Inskip Point near Rainbow Beach, just 50 kilometres north of Noosa, after a spate of sightings near Bundaberg a week earlier.

Video taken by camper Chris Kelly of another suspected crocodile near Rainbow Beach earlier this year.Credit: Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

At the time, senior wildlife officer Joshua Morris said the public could be reassured that the crocodile was considered a “vagrant”, and it did not mean the crocodile population was extending south.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.