Purple, or is that Maroon?

As our sojourn into Karumba ended we headed out of the town the way we had come in - to Normanton.  Normanton has an extensive array of fine buildings and very wide streets which seem to be a waste these days since one is able to stand in the middle of the main street at mid-day and not run the risk of being run over by a motor vehicle.

Karumba's flat wetlands extend for around thirty kilometres inland.

Seventy one kilometres from Karumba is the town of Normanton, also on the Norman River, and which also hosts picturesque wetlands (sadly, these too are inaccessible).  Normanton's population is about double that of Karumba.

Meet Krys, seen here with Honey Pie, a replica of the eight metres plus crocodile shot by Krystina Pawlowski in 1957.  Imagine meeting up with her in the middle of the night. (The crocodile I mean.)

By the time we arrived at Normanton's famous Purple Pub, the temperature had sky rocketed so it was time for lunch and a drink.

The is what confronted us in the entry of the Purple Pub.


Seems we've picked a really bad time to be in Maroon Territory!
As we didn't feel welcome in the town, we headed east along the Gulf Developmental Road-Savannah Way to Croydon hoping that the locals here would be a little friendlier during this embarrassing time.
Unfortunately, by the time we'd arrived in town, they were gathering at the corner pub to view the final game, in an already lost cause, on the big screen.  Alas, we couldn't show our faces in so public a place, so stayed in and listened to the game on the car radio, while the cheers at the pub carried through loud and clear, on the evening breeze, each time the Maroons scored.

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.)