Normanton, just south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the Norman River in Queensland, is a small cattle town and coastal locality with a population of about 1400, of whom about 800 are descendants of the traditional owners of the land, the Gkuthaarn (Kareldi) and Kukatj people. Unmissable in the main street of Normanton is the big crocodile, “Krys, the Savannah King.”

A long time on his wish list, Jack was please to arrive in Normanton the same weekend as the annual rodeo. Despite Jack’s disappointment at being too late to enter the Bull Riding Competiton, a very enjoyable day was had at the rodeo all the same.

In the late 1880s, after Burketown was found to be unsuitable location, Normanton became a busy seaport servicing the surrounding goldfields and cattle stations. Today, only a small disused wharf remains.

Standing as a reminder of the busy bygone days of the Normanton seaport, the former warehouse of Burns Philp and Co Ltd now serves as the Normanton Library and Visitors Centre.

During the dry season, March to October, Normanton hosts an influx of tourists, and whilst many travel with caravans or in motor homes, Normanton also offers accommodation in hotels, motels and caravan park cabins.

Catering for the travelling “train buffs” Normanton’s well-presented Railway Station is the home port for the Gulflander, which takes tourists to Croydon.

As the barramundi fishing season ended in May, we were a bit late to take advantage of the excellent Fred Pascoe Community Fishing Place built on the Capt. W H Norman Bridge which crosses the Norman River named after the same English Sea Captain. Running parallel with the main bridge, it is popular with the locals who enjoy fishing in the cool of the night.

With the daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s, a refreshing dip in the pool at the Normanton Tourist Park was a daily event.