The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, has been cleared to host the rowing and canoe sprint events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. The catch? An estimated 500 saltwater crocodiles already call the river home.
An independent technical assessment signed off on the venue, examining weather, water levels and flood risk. Crocodiles were not part of the criteria. Both World Rowing and Paddle Worldwide have since endorsed the site, with World Rowing's president Jean-Christophe Rolland saying the analysis showed the river can deliver fair racing conditions, and Paddle Worldwide's Thomas Konietzko voicing confidence in its suitability for canoe sprint.
The Fitzroy River Flatwater Facility isn't a blank-slate build. It's already an established flatwater sports venue hosting school championships, regattas and national team training camps — with contingency procedures ready for when crocodiles are spotted nearby. Rockhampton sits roughly 600km north of Brisbane and is one of several regional locations the Games will use, making use of existing infrastructure rather than constructing a new course.
Saltwater crocodiles — 'Salties' to locals — are comfortable in fresh and salt water and are the largest living reptiles, with some exceeding six metres. Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris has brushed off wildlife worries, likening it to surfing in shark-populated waters, and says the endorsement gives planning certainty ahead of the Games.
Not everyone is on board. Drew Ginn, a three-time Australian Olympic rowing gold medallist, told the BBC he has concerns about flooding, fairness between lanes as river conditions shift, and the overall athlete and spectator experience at a venue six or seven hours from Brisbane. He's less worried about the wildlife itself but admits a crocodile gliding past would be a first for most international athletes.
For travellers, this is a good reason to put Rockhampton on the radar well before 2032. The Fitzroy is genuine croc country, and the region leans into it — crocodile spotting tours operate on the river, and the nearby Koorana Crocodile Farm offers close encounters of a safer variety. If you're visiting for the rowing or otherwise, the golden rule is simple: take river safety signage seriously, keep well clear of the water's edge, and never swim where Salties live. The same wildness that makes organisers answer awkward questions is exactly what draws travellers to this stretch of Queensland.
Expect the debate to run until 2032 — but for now, the crocs keep their Olympic venue.