NORMANTON - QUEENSLAND - 4890
Population: 1,300,  
Height above sea level:, 15m   
Latitude: =17.4000,   Longitude: 141.1500
Location:   2,150km north west of Brisbane
Highway: Matilda Hwy (83) 
Nearest Major Town: Normanton
Nearest Airport: Mt Isa
Touring Area: Tropical North

Shire office - Normanton - Courtesy of Tourism Queensland


Normanton was established in 1868 and is at the junction of the Burke and Gulf Development Roads near the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is the gatweay to the prawn-fishing town of Karumba.
Facilities when I was last there were few, but there is an adequate pub and several shops.
Normanton is also the western terminus of the historic Normanton to Croydon railway which was established in the late 1800s when gold was discovered at Croydon 155km to the east. At that time Normanton was a busy port providing services to the miners. Today the historic 'Gulflander' railway runs between the two towns providing one of Australia's great rail journeys.
Normanton and the rivers and coast around it are dangerous with many estuarine crocodiles and you should not camp too close to water or swim in it. In 1957 Australia's largest crocodile, 'Krys the Savannah King', over 8 metres long, was shot at nearby Archer's Creek and a lifesize replica of it will be seen in the council park at Normanton.

PLACES OF INTEREST:
  • Old Normanton Gaol (late 1800s)
  • Krys the Savannah King replica
  • The Gulflander train journey
  • The Giant Barramundi Landsborough St.
  • Heritage listed Normanton Railway Station
    ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:

    Category: 


    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    No information is available in Normanton
    Croydon Visitor Information Centre
    Samwell St. Croydon. QLD 4871
    Ph: 07 4745 6125

    Cloncurry Tourist Information Centre
    Mary Kathleen Park, McIlwraith St. Cloncurry. QLD 4824
    Ph: 07 4742 1361

    HOW TO GET THERE:
    North by car along the Burke Development Road from Cloncurry or west from Cairns along the Gulf Development Road
  • Light Plane
  • Coach or Rail


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    © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins