Kayaker stranded on desert island after seafaring croc attack

An outdoorsman spent days stranded on a deserted island in Queensland after his kayak was attacked by a crocodile.

The unidentified adventurer was paddling through Shoalwater Bay, about 200km north of Yeppoon on the state's mid-east coast, when the ocean-faring croc appeared from nowhere and attempted to death roll his craft.

The kayaker told the The Australian Maritime Safety Authority he paddled faster than he ever had before to escape the malevolent reptile, which damaged – but did not puncture – the vessel's hull.

"He was very fortunate," an AMSA official said.

"It didn't pierce the kayak. He said he was running on adrenalin."

The outdoorsman managed to sprint about 3km to the relative safety of Townshend Island, where he promptly became trapped by inclement weather.

With plenty of supplies packed for the trek to his intended destination of Strange Bay, the fellow hunkered down and waited for conditions to ease.

But after four days in the elements with his provisions dwindling, the kayaker decided to activate his emergency beacon. A rescue crew pinpointed his location at around 7am yesterday and helicoptered him back to Rockhampton.

He is believed to be in good health.