Alligator Creek
Postcode: 4740
Alligator Creek lies some thirty kilometres south of Townsville, in Bowling Green Bay National Park, the largest national park between Bowen and Townsville. The creek, which gives its name to the village, is an integral feature of the 55,300ha park which conserves mangroves, saltpans, coastal wetlands, heath and tropical rainforest.
Alligator Creek is studded with waterfalls, cascades and deep pools, and a track which begins at the camping area follows the watercourse toward Mt Elliot, the dominant feature of the park.
The diverse, littoral system forms rich breeding and support grounds for such fauna as dugongs, green and loggerhead turtles, saltwater crocodiles, barramundi and prawns and such waterfowl as the rare painted snipe and the eastern curlew.
Bowling Green Bay is the largest National Park (55 300 hectares) between the city of Townsville and the town of Bowen on the North Queensland coast. The park includes the Mount Elliot area and adjacent coastal wetlands, saltpans and mangroves. Bowling Green National Park is near the southern limit of the Wet Tropical Rainforest. On Mount Elliot the rainforest is confined to areas about 66 metres. Access is via the Bruce Highway – turnoff towards Alligator Creek 28 kilometres south of Townsville. From the highway turnoff, it is six kilometres to the National Park. The Park is open from 6.30am to 6.30pm. Toilets, showers, barbecues and tables are provided for campers and day visitors. Camping is limited to 25 sites and a permit is required. Campers are requested to book 6 to 12 weeks in advance. Permits are not required for day visitors.