An Australian camper has been attacked by a crocodile inside his tent.

Peter Rowsell, 19, described how he woke up to find the crocodile had entered his tent and was biting his foot.

The young man was with his family on the banks of Palm Creek in the Northern Territory on April 25 when the attack took place, local media said.

Peter Rowsell said something was “shaking” his right foot, describing the animal as “three to four meters” long.

The man is believed to have been killed by a crocodile in the Northern Territory while swimming in Mary River during a birthday party

The man managed to fight off the crocodile, which slid back into the water.

His injuries were not life threatening.

Peter Rowsell’s sister drove him to the nearest hospital in his hometown of Katherine, which was about two hours away, where he was treated for the bite. He is expected to be released soon.

The mayor of Katherine told reporters there had been crocodile sightings near popular swimming spots recently, and called for a cull.

“We do have to live with crocs because this is their environment as well, but we don’t need to live with them dangerously,” she was quoted by News.com.au as saying.