The area was infested with crocodiles

The pair from Buxton were trapped after a river burst its banks, leaving them surrounded by crocodile infested flood waters.

The car park where Alex Mackenzie and Elizabeth Holland had stopped for a break became an island with the man-eating reptiles all around them.

They were eventually airlifted to Darwin by helicopter as it was the only way to escape the area.

Too much Castlemaine

"It was similar to a scene from Crocodile Dundee - we were at a roadhouse with a pub attached where you see crocodile skulls displayed on the walls," Ms Holland said.

"It was pretty scary and the living conditions were pretty terrible.

Danger in Darwin The police didn't get involved and no one seemed to want to help us out Elizabeth Holland

"There was very little fresh food and after a while boredom set in - there was nothing to do but play pool and the books ran out very quickly."

"We saw crocodiles that were five metres long - and some crocs in the area have attacked tourists in recent months."

Ms Holland said the authorities were reluctant to help them out.

"The main government in Canberra refused to help, and the British government couldn't help and our insurance company refused to help," she said.

"The police didn't get involved and no one seemed to want to help us out."

She added that not everyone was as lucky as they were: "One guy had a little two much Castlemaine 4X to drink and tried to cross the river when it was 19 metres higher than normal.

"He jumped out of his car and hasn't been seen since."