I have grown to love new challenges and new lifestyles in the past 14 year since leaving the city life of Brisbane where I grew up. Where as living on the coast around the Cairns area is beautiful with its green rainforests, Normanton has shown me even more beauty with its stunning sun rises, sunsets and rustic terrain. The country life style definitely agrees with me.

--Trish Kelleher, Normanton

If you are into anything outdoors, here is the place for you. Instead of sitting in a traffic jam, you're sitting in a tinny catching barra! The freedom is incredible, the people are friendly and there is a strong community feel. We also have some of the most breath-taking country up here.

Normanton, where the memories last as long as the friendships that are formed...forever!

Why I live where I live

I live in Normanton for one particular reason: I enjoy the lifestyle. Why? Good people, stunning landscape and as far away from the hustle and bustle as you can get.

--Michael Armstrong, Teacher

"(I came) to escape the rat race from Cairns and Port Douglas. I lived in Port Douglas for 25 years, it was a sleepy little town like Karumba and then grew into a very busy tourist town, so Karumba was the next step.

(I like) the lifestyle, the sunshine, the beach, the people. It's very relaxed. There is a lot of opportunities. It's at the beginning of its growth in tourism and if you are coming for business opportunities there's lots here and if you're coming for a quiet lifestyle its ideal for that too."

-- Lyn Heath, Karumba

"I was after a lifestyle change and just career opportunities. So I'd finished uni, had done a six month contract and was looking for something different to enhance my career.

I like the freedom of lifestyle. There is not as many boundaries as living in the city. There are more open spaces, more things you can do. You can go out fishing, catch a one metre barra and have it for dinner for the next week. You can't help but get into the fishing.

Definitely give it a go, it's definitely worth coming up here. The lifestyle is fantastic, there is no sitting on a train for a hour going into the city each day. It's a five minute trip. Everyone's really friendly, there's a really good sense of community."

-- Anne Pleash, Normanton

"(I came because of) the love of the area and also there were job positions advertised that suited both myself and my partner.

(I like) the lifestyle, the people, the actual history of the town. It's fascinating. If you want a seachange and you love space, Normanton is the place to come to."

-- Helen Short, Normanton

"My family and I moved to Normanton originally to help with a Youth Group through the church. I love the small town feel, the closeness of the community and everyone knowing who you are and what you do professionally.

It is a great place to live but it could be hard for the first couple of months especially if you are single or have a young family. Normally the people come for the work but if they stay long enough they will realize the friendly community atmosphere and helpful locals."

-- Chris Wasiak, Normanton

"I had visited the area over a period of many years and was attracted by the friendliness of the people, the relaxed lifestyle, the work opportunities and the idea of being involved in a small community. The local people are very welcoming.

There are job opportunities available here that you would have to fight for down south: you still need to have the skills to do the job but the chances of being successful in your job application are 1 in 4 rather than 1 in 50! Its very rewarding being part of a small community where you can be more involved and make a difference.

(My advice to prospective migrants is to) be realistic in your expectations - why do you want to live here, what are you expecting from the experience and what do you have to offer. I love living here. I ... retuned again last May because I missed it so much. Its not the place for everyone but I love it."

-- Tammy Murray, Normanton

Normanton brought a smile on my face. It seemed so downright dinki di Aussie...like something out of a D'Arcy Niland or Ruth Park novel. Has it sold itself as a possible location for film and television, I wondered?

We passed literally hundreds, and I mean hundreds of grey nomads meandering their way to Karumba, and met up with them at the Point Hotel where around 200 of us sat and ate seafood while watching the spectacular sunset.

I liked Karumba and was staggered at the size and operations of its port facilities.