Karumba
Town
Population 522
Karumba is at the mouth of the Norman River in the Gulf Savannah. It is the easiest access point for the Gulf of Carpentaria, the key reason the town is the centre for the Gulf's booming prawn and barramundi industries. During the 1930s, the town was an important refuelling depot for the airships of the Empire Flying Boats, which travelled from Sydney to England. Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy the untouched waters of the gulf and nearby rivers that offer an abundance of fish.
Visitor Information
Karumba Library, Walker St, (07) 4745 9582; or call Normanton Visitor Information Centre, (07) 4745 1065
Nearby towns
-
Normanton
Normanton thrived as a port town in the late 1800s when the gold rush was on in Croydon. The Normanton-to-Croydon railway line,...more -
Burketown
Burketown is on the edge of the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the dividing line between the wetlands to the north and the Gulf Savannah plains...more -
Croydon
Croydon is a small town on the grassland plains of the Gulf Savannah. It marks the eastern terminus for the Gulflander train service,...more
In Town
Barramundi Discovery Centre: barramundi display and information; Riverside Dr. Ferryman cruises: tours include birdwatching, gulf sunset and night crocodile spotting; depart Karumba boat ramp; (07) 4745 9155. Charters and dinghy hire: discover the renowned fishing spots in the Gulf or on the Norman River on a charter or hire a dinghy; Karumba Port. Heritage walk: self-guide walk; brochure from Karumba library.
Nearby
Wetland region: extending 30 km inland from Karumba are the wetlands, habitat of the saltwater crocodile and several species of birds, including brolgas and cranes. Cemetery: early-settlement cemetery when Karumba was known as Norman Mouth telegraph station; 2 km N on road to Karumba Pt. Karumba Pt: boat hire available; note presence of saltwater crocodiles; 3 km N. Sweers Island: island in the Gulf with beaches, abundant birdlife, excellent fishing and caves; access is by boat or air; details from visitor centre.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Gulflander 32 km
Jokingly referred to as the train from nowhere to nowhere, the Gulflander runs 150 kilometres between Normanton and Croydon, along a track that has never been linked to the main Queensland rail system. It is a great way... Find out moreCampsites around town
Karumba Point Tourist Park 4 km
This caravan park has an excellent range of facilities including a swimming pool, craft shop, 2 amenities blocks, fish-cleaning areas and laundry facilities. Air-conditioned on-site caravans are available. You’ll... Find out moreNormanton Tourist Park 32 km
This tourist park has 55 powered sites, 25 unpowered sites and the option of 12 self-contained ensuite cabins or 5 budget rooms. Facilities include a 25 m lap pool, artesian spa bath, 3 amenities blocks, and most sites... Find out moreLeichhardt Camping Park 51 km
About 800 m from the Norman River on the Normanton–Croydon Rd (Savannah Way), 26 km east of Normanton, there are no powered sites here, but campers are encouraged to bring their own generators. Normanton, the major... Find out moreBlackbull Siding camping area 110 km
This basic campground is on Savannah Way (Gulf Developmental Rd), about 90 km east of Normanton. You need to bring drinking water and firewood; generators are permitted. Normanton is the major commercial centre of the... Find out moreAlbert River camping area (bush camping) 137 km
Bush camping for self-sufficient campers is permitted on the banks of the Albert River north-east of Burketown; there are no designated sites and no facilities. The Western Gulf Region of Queensland has a mixture of... Find out moreBurketown Caravan Park 140 km
Burketown Caravan Park is on Sloman St in Burketown, about 225 km west of Normanton. The park has excellent facilities: tourist and fishing information, 2 amenities blocks, laundry facilities, EFTPOS and a kiosk. The... Find out moreBurke and Wills Roadhouse 199 km
This roadhouse with 10 powered sites sits at the junction of Wills Developmental Rd and Burke Developmental Rd, about 180 km north of Cloncurry and about 200 km south of Normanton. The camping surface is a mixture of... Find out moreTopsy Creek camping area 231 km
Hundreds of anglers make the annual trip to Kowanyama every year during barramundi season to experience some of the best fishing the Far North has to offer. Topsy Creek, about 45 km west of the Kowanyama Aboriginal... Find out moreShelso Camping Area 244 km
This campground is to the east the Kowanyama Aboriginal community, a traditional land open for camping and barramundi fishing June–Sept. Due to limited space, permission from the Kowanyama Land Office is essential... Find out moreSurprise Creek Camping Area 244 km
This campground is to the east the Kowanyama Aboriginal community, a traditional land open for camping and varramundi fishing June–Sept. Due to limited space, permission from the Kowanyama Land Office is essential... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Karumba Point Sunset Caravan Park 3 km
This is a good quality park close to the boat ramp and very popular with those tourists who flock to the area in the cooler winter months. Some stay for a whole winter. The park has a roast dinner each Friday night.... Find out moreKarumba Point Tourist Park 4 km
This is a popular tourist spot located 7.5 km from Karumba. A feature of the park is the fish barbecue on Saturday nights. The park has a craft shop with a range of stock. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreNormanton Tourist Park 32 km
Located in the centre of town, the park has good amenities, some large shady trees, and the town’s swimming pool within its bounds. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreBurketown Caravan Park 140 km
This is a tidy caravan park with the normal facilities. In addition to a well-stocked kiosk, there is a separate takeaway food outlet at the front gate (sells cooked local barramundi). This park is in the heart of... Find out moreCroydon Caravan Park 169 km
This well-maintained council-owned park is close to the centre of town. It has lots of green grass, large shady trees and cable TV. The park is within walking distance of everything in town.... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
End of the Road Motel
As the name implies, it’s a long way to this motel from just about anywhere. Karumba is where the outback meets the sea, and when the owners talk absolute water frontage at this motel they seriously mean it.... Find out moreRest areas around town
Leichhardt Lagoon Camp Area 51 km
24 km SE of Normanton (R) or 131 km W of Croydon (L) Large camp area located 800 metres off the highway in a natural bush setting near the Norman River. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S17 51.063 E141 07.719... Find out moreQT125 Rest Area 74 km
156 km N of Burke and Wills (L) or 38 km S of Normanton (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S17 57.700 E140 54.232... Find out moreQT124 Rest Area 89 km
116 km N of Burke and Wills (R) or 78 km S of Normanton (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S18 17.285 E140 48.571... Find out moreBlackbull Siding Rest Area 109 km
94 km E of Normanton (R) or 61 km W of Croydon (L) Large area just off the highway. Limited facilities and shade. GPS: S17 56.412 E141 45.318 ... Find out moreBang Bang Rest Area 116 km
84 km N of Burke and Wills (R) or 110 km S of Normanton (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S18 31.577 E140 39.199 ... Find out moreDonors Hill Rest Area 138 km
57 km N of Burke and Wills (R) or 137 km S of Normanton (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S18 41.886 E140 30.715... Find out moreCowan Downs Rest Area 171 km
23 km N of Burke and Wills (R) or 171 km S of Normanton (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S18 59.199 E140 26.073 ... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Market: Sunset Tavern; Sun.
Fishing Competition: follows Easter event at Normanton; Apr.
Norman River Duck Race: June.
