End of the Road

Woke from yet another windy night.  Zinc being loaded at the port could be heard throughout the night.
Shared the camp kitchen and more stories with fellow campers this morning.  The weather was looking even more grey than yesterday.

For me, the one thing that stands out about Karumba is the birds.  So many birds.  There are wetlands everywhere but they are almost impossible to access.  Roads that appear to head straight for a section of wetland tended to simply run parallel to the water but never to the water.  After a few attempts Honey Pie and I gave up.

Karumba,a port town on the Gulf of Carpenteria sits on the mouth of the Norman River.

There is a beach at Karumba, called Shelly Beach, but it really is a poor excuse for a beach (in my opinion).

The coast line of Karumba entails extensive tidal flats. 


Our sightseeing of Karumba extended to taking a walk along a very run down boardwalk, a walk along Shelly Beach and through the tiny township itself. We also visited the Norman River.
 For a town that is so remote (Normanton is the closest town and seventy one kilometres away) there are minimal services.
Both Andrew and I wondered why the attraction to Karumba but both of us couldn't help feeling a sense of "Broome Time" as we strolled around at a very leisurely pace.  We could understand how some people would come to Karumba for a visit and stay forever.  It is in many ways, the end of the road and one establishment is called exactly that and overlooking the Gulf!
Oh, and we did manage to dip our toes into the waters of the Gulf, gingerly of course, because this is crocodile country - really big ones!
Morning tea was enjoyed at Ash's, famous for its fish and chips. (It was too early for fish and chips.)