South Alligator River

river, Northern Territory, Australia

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July 14, 2026

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The South Alligator River is one of three perennial rivers in the northeastern Northern Territory, Australia, that flow into the Timor Sea. Captain Phillip Parker King named the rivers, including the South Alligator, after mistaking the local crocodiles for alligators. The South Alligator River originates near the former uranium mining base of El Sherana and flows north for approximately 100 miles (160 km). This river system is part of the larger Alligator Rivers region, which also includes the East and West Alligator rivers and is largely encompassed by Kakadu National Park.1

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Alligator Rivers
The South Alligator rises in the hills near El Sherana, a now-abandoned mining base for uranium, and follows a northerly course for about 100 miles (160 km). The East Alligator rises in Arnhem Land and flows northwesterly for nearly 100 miles; the West Alligator (50 miles…
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The South Alligator rises in the hills near El Sherana, a now-abandoned mining base for uranium, and follows a northerly course for about 100 miles (160 km). The East Alligator rises in Arnhem Land and flows northwesterly for nearly 100 miles; the West Alligator (50 miles…
Read More