Seven-year-old Clancie-Jade Townsend was with her family, and got a nasty shock when she stepped on the bullrout, also known as a freshwater stonefish or kroki.

“We were just down at Koree Island the other day for our regular arvo cool-off,” said her mother, Terri Townsend.

“So we took her to the hospital, as I had no clue what to do and her foot was swelling.”

Terri says the nurse and doctor were amazing and helped her out. It only took her daughter a couple of hours to recover, and then the swelling was gone after 24 hours.

“She was in hospital, and two hours later, she was back home, training her mini pony.  The nurse said she was tougher than most men who go in with bullrout stings,” smiled her mum.

The bullrout is 20 cms in size, and lives in tidal estuaries and slow-flowing streams from southern New South Wales to northern Queensland.  It has a large head and seven spines which are venomous. 

A puncture wound from one of the spines can be excruciatingly painful.  For immediate relief, immerse the affected area in hot water.

Terri’s advice for people visiting Koree Island is to wear shoes.

“We normally do, but it was a ‘let’s go, we have a spare hour’ quick dip,” she said.