Palm Cove: Tarlia Merau filmed herself taking a dip at a tropical beach idyll – but triggered howls of protests from savvy locals for one very good reason
A woman who filmed herself swimming at a notorious crocodile-infested beach has been criticized by Australians for her reckless act of stupidity.
Tarlia Merau uploaded a clip to TikTok last week of herself entering the water at Palm Cove Beach, near Cairns, in Far North Queensland.
Ms Merau said she ignored the crocodile warning signs because she ‘couldn’t resist’ taking a dip at the beach.
“An old couple walked past me and they said, ‘You’re brave,’” she said.
But Ms Merau admitted in the video that while she had no problem swimming in oceans where sharks exist, she did not want to swim with crocodiles.
Social media users condemned the reckless swimming in comments on the video.
“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” someone wrote.
“There are so many other beaches to swim and you choose to swim at one in Cairns which is average, not to mention the crocodile risk,” someone else wrote.
“That really takes the risk to a new level,” added a third.
Tarlia Merau (pictured) uploaded a video to TikTok last week of herself entering the water at Palm Cove Beach near Cairns, North Queensland
Ms. Merau said in the video that she is trying to get used to the beach and that she really wants to go swimming.
“The water is so warm here, how could I not?” she said.
Palm Cove Beach is located in ‘Croc Country’, areas designated as crocodile habitat.
These areas extend from the Boyne River at Gladstone to the far north and far west of Queensland.
It also extends into parts of the Northern Territory.
Visitors to beaches and waterways in Far North Queensland are being urged to be crocodile aware to reduce the risk of harm, and also to heed crocodile warning signs.
In September 2020, a dog was eaten by a crocodile almost three meters long on the popular city beach, which led to concern among locals.
Officials from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DESI) have conducted an investigation into the incident.
Palm Cove Beach is located in ‘Croc Country’, which are areas designated as crocodile habitat (stock image)
Warning signs were immediately posted on the shores of the ocean and a crocodile trap remains in place.
Crocodiles can be found in multiple tourist locations in Australia, including oceans, beaches, rivers, creeks and waterholes.
They are masters of hiding and can stay underwater for more than an hour. The most fearsome predators are most active at night, at dawn and dusk.