THREE backpackers have had a very close encounter with a crocodile at a billabong in the Northern Territory.

Three mates from Europe head to Wangi Falls, a picturesque swimming hole south of Darwin, for a dip.

The waterhole is known to be the haunt of crocodiles and the mates can't believe their luck when they spot a 2m freshwater croc sunning itself on a rock near the base of the falls.

As one of the trio approaches the croc from the front, filming as he goes, a mate comes up to the left, about 10m away from the croc, on the other side of a rock outcrop.

"Do you think we can go closer," one of the trio asks.

The cameraman does - edging within a metre of the reptile.

All of a sudden, the animal scampers way, across the rocks and leaps into the air - landing almost on top of the cameraman's shocked friend.

As the croc makes its escape underwater the trio laugh themselves stupid, while nervously looking round for their croc.