Normanton

Normanton is a town in the Gulf Country in Queensland It is the largest town in the region, and has a population of about 1,200 people (2016).

Normanton thrived as a port town in the late 1800s when the gold rush was on in Croydon. The Normanton-to-Croydon railway line, established at that time, today it runs the Gulflander tourist train.

Australia's largest saltwater crocodile, known as Krys the Savannah King, was shot at nearby Archer's Creek in 1957. A life-size replica of his body, over 8 metres long, can be seen in the council park.

Some 30 km to the south-west of Normanton is camp 119, Burke and Wills' most northerly camp. The wetlands between Normanton and Karumba are also excellent for birdwatching, particularly just after the 'wet season'.

Get in
  • Normanton is 484 km north of Mt Isa.
  • About 700 km from Cairns on the Savannah Way - Highway 1, or around 500 km from Mount Isa on the Barkly Highway.
  • The Gulflander runs from Croydon, but since Croydon is in the middle of nowhere, with no real means of getting there, that is unlikely to help you get in much.

See
  • 🌍 Tourist information, in the historic Burns Philp building by the river. Includes a display about the history of Normanton. Free. 
  • 🌍 Krys the Crocodile. Life-size replica of the largest crocodile ever caught. (updated Jun 2015)
  • 🌍 Historic Railway Station. (updated Jun 2015)

Do
  • Birdwatching
  • 🌍 Gulflander train, ☏ +61 7 4745 1391. A weekly heritage tourist train to Croydon (Queensland). It travel to Croydon on Wednesday, and returns Thursday. Travel time is about five hours each way including stops and excursions to interesting places. One-way or return to Croydon: adult $69/115, child 4-14 $34.50/57.50. (updated Oct 2020)

Eat
  • 🌍 Gobble N Go, 40 Thompson St (one block east of the highway). Quality takeaway shop, with sandwiches, home made pies, burgers, etc. Also does lavish takeaway meals for dinner (you might have to pre-order — check with the friendly staff). 

Drink
  • 🌍 Purple Pub (National Hotel). It's purple, and serves meals 

Sleep
  • 🌍 Albion Hotel, 37/39 Haig St, ☏ +61 7 4745 1218. Within 100m proximity of the Big Croc. (updated Jun 2021)

Go next

Karumba is 79 km away by sealed road on the Gulf — you can't come this far without going on!

33 km west along the Savannah Way (dirt road) is Burke and Wills Camp 119 - the furthest north they got. Trees that were blazed to mark the camp are signposted.

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