Swimmers at a creek in north Queensland are "quite lucky" after a huge crocodile was spotted in the area.
On Saturday a woman at Rollingstone Creek swimming hole, north of Townsville, was taking underwater photos while on a floatie.
When she got home she realised she'd taken a photo of a crocodile, estimated to be three metres long, and submitted it to Queensland's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
"This person and anyone else who was swimming in that section of the river at the weekend can consider themselves quite lucky," senior wildlife officer Tony Frisby said.
The area is classed as Zone E under the state crocodile management plan, which means the animal will be removed if it displays dangerous behaviour.
Authorities have used a drone to search for the crocodile but haven't found it, and signs warning of a recent sighting have been placed in the area.
Mr Frisby said people should be "crocwise" around swimming spots in the region.
"The belief some people have that they are safe in croc country if they swim in the freshwater section of our rivers is misguided," he said.
"Crocodiles are highly mobile and they travel upstream in our rivers and creeks to source freshwater and feed on animals that come down to the banks to drink.
"You never know what is lurking in waterways, and people really do need to make sensible choices when they're near the water in croc country."
Rangers plan to conduct a night time spotlight search for the crocodile.
