The popular plunge pool at Edith Falls in Nitmiluk National Park near Katherine looks set to remain closed to swimmers for a while yet.
Tourists have been unable to cool off in the pool since Easter, with authorities saying the water level is too high, making it difficult for rangers to monitor the crocodile traps.
NT Parks and Wildlife media manager Lauren Crawley told the Katherine Times that the high water levels also meant crocs could still get in and out, and the water currents create a dangerous swimming situation.
However, Edith Falls campground manager, Lisa Marks, told the newspaper that there hadn’t been rain in five weeks and that the pool should have been open.
“Elderly people have trouble climbing up to the upper pool, so they can’t swim,” she said. “The plunge pool should be open to cater for the grey nomads, especially in the shoulder periods, when tourism should be doing everything they can to get people to stay.”
Mrs Marks said that people were already ignoring signage and climbing under the ropes at the plunge pool to swim.
NT Parks and Wildlife says it will re-open the plunge pool once water levels drop and crocodile management can take place.
