An Australian tour guide drives through a river filled with 600 crocodiles to get to work every day - and the terrifying journey frequently has him fearing for his life.

David McMahon, 36, is a head tour guide for Venture North Safaris in Australia's Northern Territory.

'I've been guiding in Northern Australia for over 15 years through some of the most remote and spectacular parts of the country,

One of David's tours see him cross the East Alligator River at Cahill's Crossing - a deadly journey that has claimed two lives in the past.

'I don't think this is everyone's idea of a commute to work - but things are a bit different up here in the Top End,' he said.

'I'm crossing the mighty East Alligator River - they're lined up as the diamond scale mullet and barramundi are swimming up the crossing,' he explained about the starving crocodiles.

David shared that the disparity in the name and creature occurred because English explorer Phillip Parker King couldn't tell alligators and crocodiles apart.

'This is truly such a wild place,' David said, gazing out onto the deadly reptiles.

'There has been many times over the years when I've crossed this river with my heart in my mouth!

'The worst is at night time, and there was one occasion I had to cross it really deep when the tide had stopped and before it started rushing out again. 

'As soon as I entered the water, the headlights went under and I had to do the crossing blind - knowing exactly what was waiting for me if I made a mistake.'

But despite the frequent dose of terror, David truly loves his job.

'I love being able to share the beauty of Northern Australia with guests from around the world,' he said. 

'It's such a wild place up here and there are fewer and fewer places on the planet like this.

'To spend so much time in the bush is a privilege I never take for granted and I honestly can't pick a part of the job I don't love,' he added.