An off-duty wildlife ranger has made a remarkable escape from the jaws of a crocodile by gouging its eyes before driving himself more than an hour for help in far north Queensland.

Key points: The 54-year-old was flyfishing when he was bitten by a 2.5-metre crocodile on the leg, arm and hand

The 54-year-old was flyfishing when he was bitten by a 2.5-metre crocodile on the leg, arm and hand He fought off the crocodile by poking it in the eye and drove more than an hour for help

He fought off the crocodile by poking it in the eye and drove more than an hour for help He is in a serious but stable condition at Cairns Hospital where he is expected to have surgery

Craig Dickmann, aged 54, was flyfishing at Captain Billy Landing in remote Cape York Peninsula when the 2.5-metre crocodile launched from the water and attacked his thigh on Sunday afternoon.

While trying to wrestle free from the crocodile Mr Dickmann's right hand was degloved.

He was able to release himself by poking the crocodile in the eye, before driving himself more than an hour to Heathlands Ranger Station, where he works.

A saltwater crocodile on a riverbank. ( ABC News: Owain Stia-James )

Queensland Ambulance Service Superintendent Warren Martin said it was incredible that Mr Dickmann survived.

"This was a life or death response," he said.

"The patient really understood the gravity of the situation and knew that he was fighting for his survival."

When Mr Dickmann reached Heathlands Station he called emergency services and was given first aid by another ranger.

The ranger then drove Mr Dickmann south to Bramwell Station to wait for a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) plane.

'Are you sure you have all your fingers?'

Bramwell Station owner, Wendy Kozicka, said the RFDS used the station's airstrip to land around 8:00pm last night.

She said the man was in good spirits despite his brush with death.

Witnesses say 54-year-old Craig Dickmann was "cheerful" despite having suffered serious hand and leg injuries from a crocodile attack. ( Facebook: Craig Dickmann )

"He was very cheerful — but he's a very cheerful person," Ms Kozicka said.

"His hands were wrapped up and we were teasing him about that, saying 'Are you sure you have all your fingers?'"

Superintendent Martin said it was a "remarkable story" of survival.

"There wouldn't be many people in Cape York who could say they have had an interaction with a crocodile like this and still be talking about it," he said.

"Not only was [Mr Dickmann] by himself fishing, but after being released by the crocodile having to drive for an hour back to his residence to seek help."

Superintendent Martin said it was the first time, in his seven years as superintendent, that he had heard of a person attacked by a crocodile in the Cape York region.

Mr Dickmann remains in a serious but stable condition at Cairns Hospital where he was expected to undergo surgery on Monday.

Captain Billy Landing has been closed while the Environment Department investigates the incident.

Mr Dickmann is being supported by his family and senior departmental staff.