Crocodile spotted metres from kids' playground

A female jogger stopped short this morning, after spotting small crocodile just metres away from a popular children's playground in Cairns.

Police were called to the northern end of the esplanade where they found a two-metre crocodile approximately five metres from shore near the Pirate Ship Playground.

A bigger, four-metre croc, was also spotted by members of the public nearby but despite searching, rangers could not locate the animal.

Wildlife officers monitored the mangroves until the tide went down.

"There was no further sign of the animal and it is likely that the crocodile was moving through the area," a Department of Environment spokesman said.

"Crocodiles use the ocean currents to move between the calmer waters inland which they prefer."

Rangers are urging people to stay away from all waterways in Far North Queensland and report sightings of crocodiles.