KARUMBA
Still trying to catch up and not doing a real good job of it
We stayed at Karumba Point Tourist Park and were lucky to get in; it was only by luck that someone had moved out for a week to visit elsewhere that we secured the site.
Very nice park with friendly management and a great atmosphere; we were not sure if we would like it as this is mainly were all the fishing community meet this time of year and tend to stay for 3 – 4 months. We had a great time even though we did not fish.
Every day something was on in the park and Saturday night was a free fish BBQ; bring your own plate and salad and they supplied barbequed blue salmon and it was beautiful.
Park amenities were good and the price was very acceptable @ $28 per night. We would certainly recommend this park for a week or so stay (if you can get in).
Our site: you do need a dish if you want TV.
The park was full to the brim but very well catered for.
The Sunset Tavern was approximately 1km from the park; being on the western side of the Queensland mainland it makes for spectacular sunsets
One of the sunsets from the pub deck; the meals here are very good and the vista is magnificent.
Good friends we met at Karumba and stay in touch with on a regular basis are Dave & Mez; Mez is well involved in cardmaking, craft and handmade jewellery. The photo is of the small but well attended Karumba markets that are held at the pub grounds on a Sunday morning; although the bar is not open they do well selling breakfast, coffee and doughnuts.
We had a great time here and would love to go back some other time.
NORMANTON
Not so impressed with Normanton; it does have quite a few things to see and do but the caravan parks leave a little to be desired. We stayed at the Normanton Tourist Van park; the other park in town is part of the motel, we did look at this whilst we were in town but it sadly is not well looked after as far as amenities go.
6 weeks before we arrived the owner had leased the park and there idea of cleaning the toilets and showers was to hose them out. The cleaner was an old bloke, fire hose in one hand and a fag in the other; we queried the new owners why toilet rolls were not replaced on certain occasions. The response was people steal them.
The park is all dust and dirt so it can be quite messy; would not stay here again which is a shame, businesses in town are aware of the parks new reputation and are not happy as it will drive tourists away.
Our site; if you do want to stay in Normanton this is the pick of the 2 parks; my advise would be try to stay at Karumba and drive to Normanton for a visit.
The above shows the flood level on the Norman River bridge in 2009.
The big Barra; what everyone in the main is fishing for in this area.
The above is the old town well which was used for the towns water supply until 1965; next to it is the original light pole which was forged at the Stuart & MacKenzie foundary in Croydon.
Krys – The Savannah King is an accurate artists impression of the largest saltwater croc in the world. It was shot on the bank of the Norman River in 1957.
The croc measured 28' 4” (8.63m) and weighed in at over 2 tons; only a couple of photos remain, the rest were lost in the 1974 floods.
The famous Gulflander train that still runs overnight trips to Croydon; also does “Billy Tea & Damper” and “Sunset BBQ” trips.
The famous “Purple Pub” in Normanton.
Hope you enjoy the read and will get another post underway; stay well and keep safe.
Love & warm regards – David & Linda – The DavLin Rig
