We left reasonably early this morning, pleased to find that the issues we had encountered with our electrical plug yesterday were resolved. All the lights and accessories were working perfectly as we made our way through the Australian Outback toward Cooinda.

Upon reaching Cooinda Lodge, we secured our booking for the Yellow Water cruise. We spent some time resting before the scheduled departure, as the heat and humidity in this region are quite intense. While we are slowly becoming accustomed to the tropical climate, it remains a significant shift from the conditions we are used to in Western Australia.

The Yellow Water tour was exceptional and provided an immediate reward for our efforts. Within five minutes of leaving the dock, we spotted our first crocodile. This was a female, measuring between 2.5 and 3 meters in length, and she swam directly alongside our boat, providing an excellent view of her size and power.

A three-meter female crocodile swimming alongside our tour boat.
A three-meter female crocodile swimming alongside our tour boat.

The clarity of the water allowed us to see her entire form as she moved through the billabong. We watched as she stayed near the surface, her textured skin and powerful tail cutting through the water with minimal effort.

A crocodile cruising through the water with its head held just above the surface.
A crocodile cruising through the water with its head held just above the surface.

The surrounding landscape is a beautiful combination of open wooded bands and vast wetlands. The vegetation is lush, with dense trees lining the banks and expansive fields of lily pads stretching across the water's surface.

The lush vegetation and lily pads reflecting in the still waters of the billabong.
The lush vegetation and lily pads reflecting in the still waters of the billabong.

As we continued further into the wetlands, we encountered more of the local inhabitants. Another crocodile was seen navigating through a patch of lily pads. The contrast between the bright green leaves and the dark, prehistoric scales of the crocodile was striking.

The armored back and tail of a crocodile as it moves through the lily pads.
The armored back and tail of a crocodile as it moves through the lily pads.

We watched as this particular crocodile moved toward the grassy edge of the water. The sheer abundance of wildlife in this area is impressive; there is a sense of ancient history in the way these creatures dominate the landscape.

A large crocodile patrolling the open water near the grassy banks of the marsh.
A large crocodile patrolling the open water near the grassy banks of the marsh.

The atmosphere here is incredibly relaxed, and we are finding ourselves quite taken with the rugged beauty of the countryside. As the afternoon progressed, the light shifted, casting a deep orange glow across the floodplains. The reflection on the water turned the entire billabong into a mirror of the sky.

A vibrant sunset over the Yellow Water wetlands in the late afternoon.
A vibrant sunset over the Yellow Water wetlands in the late afternoon.

After the tour concluded, we visited the bistro at the lodge for dinner. We decided to share a platter featuring a variety of local meats, including kangaroo, crocodile, barramundi, and buffalo sausages. Every selection was prepared remarkably well and actually exceeded our expectations. It is a somewhat humorous realization that we spent our afternoon admiring crocodiles from a boat and our evening sampling them at the dinner table.

This region is proving to be a highlight of our travels. The combination of the natural scenery, the waterfalls, and the sheer volume of wildlife makes the humidity a small price to pay for the experience.

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