Terrifying Outback Encounter: Victorian Tourists Charged by Wild Buffalo in Nitmiluk National Park

A tranquil hike through the stunning landscapes of Nitmiluk National Park took a terrifying turn this week for two Victorian tourists who found themselves face-to-face with a rampaging feral buffalo.

Hattie Frdelja and Emma Hipwell, both 21, were trekking the scenic 13-kilometre trail to Butterfly Gorge, located near Katherine and roughly 300 kilometres south of Darwin, when they rounded a bend and confronted the massive beast just metres away.

A Narrow Escape in the Gorge

With nowhere to run in the enclosed section of the track, the hikers were trapped. The couple froze, but the spooked animal immediately went on the offensive.

"I looked at him and could tell in his eyes that he was definitely happy to have a go," Ms Hipwell recalled of the tense standoff.

Before they could react, the buffalo charged. It struck Ms Hipwell, knocking her to the ground and tossing her before finally retreating into the surrounding bushland. Hearing the young women's screams, other hikers in the area—who had also narrowly avoided the animal moments earlier—rushed to their aid.

Ms Hipwell escaped grave injury but was left with significant bruising and scratches along her hips and legs. The pair, who are midway through a three-month road trip across Australia, are currently resting in Katherine to recuperate before resuming their journey.

A Growing Outback Hazard

Feral buffaloes are a massive and formidable presence in the Top End, with populations numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Capable of weighing up to 1,200 kilograms, these introduced animals pose a significant threat to both the delicate local ecosystem and public safety. Last year, a 73-year-old man was hospitalised after being gored by a buffalo near Borroloola on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Local wildlife authorities actively manage the feral population through ongoing control programs, confirming that nearly 350 buffaloes were removed from Nitmiluk National Park during aerial operations in May alone.

Park rangers advise anyone who encounters a wild buffalo to remain calm, avoid sudden movements, and slowly back away from the animal's path.