Visiting Carpentaria Shire
 In 1644 Dutch seafarer and explorer Abel Tasman mapped the northern coastline of Terra Australis and sailed past the Norman River. Over two hundred years later a site was chosen for a township on the Norman River.
In 1868, after three quarters of the population of Burketown had perished from 'gulf fever', the township moved to Carnarvon on Sweers Island. Approximately 2 years later the present site of Normanton was established. It grew to become the administrative centre for the Gulf and an important inland river port following the discovery of rich gold deposits on the Etheridge and copper ores at Cloncurry. In the late 1800's Normanton was a boomtown and by 1891 boasted its own railway when the line to service the Croydon goldfields was completed. From Normanton the famous Burns Philp & Company spread its empire into the South Pacific. Karumba, just 79 km on sealed road from Normanton and at the mouth of the Norman River, is the centre of the Gulf's fishing industries. This lively town marks the end of the Matilda Highway. Karumba was once a refuelling and repair stop for the great Empire Flying Boats, which connected Sydney to Great Britain. The port also served as an RAAF Catalina base during WWII. Nearby wetlands extend 30 km inland in a series of meandering saltwater tidal estuaries and flood plains, the habitat for saltwater crocodiles and a vast array of bird species, including pelicans, brolgas, black swans and sarus cranes. More about Carpentaria Shire... |
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