Now at Normanton in the very hot, dry, windy weather. Have been all around the town looking at the sights and being the perfect little tourist. Yesterday I drove out and spent the day at Karumba.
I think the entire worlds population of Toyota Landcruisers or Nissan Patrols with camper trailers with a tinny boat on top is either at Karumba, travelling to Karumba or travelling from Karumba.
The area is obviously a haven for fisher-people, but as I am not one, I found it a bit disappointing. I have met many people in my travels who have regaled me with stories of how Normanton and Karumba were places not to be missed. Unfortunately, I have not felt the same "buzz".
I really did like the area coming into Cloncurry from the south and then around Cloncurry - it filled me with enthusiasm. The bush was filled with lots of metre high ant hills looking like hundreds of little reddish, brown 'soldiers' guarding the bush from interlopers like me. Closer to Cloncurry, the predominant soil became more of a greyish, white and the cute little 'soldiers' were now dressed in different, lighter uniforms.
I was intrigued with the rock outcrops, some vibrant with their oxide colouring, and some as if they had been burnt by the sun to such a dark brown - they were almost black. They looked like they had been hiding under the ground and then burst upwards, scattering their boulders all around like huge marbles left behind by the children of giants. Other outcrops looked like weathered old backbones that had their razors reaching to the sky. Contrasting these red rocks, red stoney gravel and red soil was the flora which featured such a variegated green foliage, and in places bluish tinge, I wish I could get a camera mounted inside my head so that I could capture these scenes without having to continually stop the Landy.
I will remain in the Normanton area for another day or two and then begin wandering eastward, eventuallty to Millaa Millaa probably. I will then see where my wanderlust takes me.
Thanks John your story painted us a lovely picture of the area and then posted some great photos of the area thank you
jules47 said
02:04 AM Sep 29, 2012
The countryside round Cloncurry is beautiful - went fossicking about 100k out few years back - amazing country. Your pictures are great. As for Normanton/Karumba - I think they are the sort of place you want to have a look at, but there is not that much really to see - especially Karumba - are you in a free camp or cp?
rockylizard said
02:08 AM Sep 29, 2012
Gday...
In the Gulflander Van Park - just as ya enter Normanton. $100 for the week for a single. Couldn't resist
Basic but better than a lot I have been in.
cheers - John
jules47 said
02:10 AM Sep 29, 2012
Pretty good price John - have you found the bakery yet?
rockylizard said
02:13 AM Sep 29, 2012
Gday...
Yep ..... one of the things I do when I get to a town, is look out for the 'real' bakery. I have a weakness for sausage rolls and I just HAVE to sample them all
cheers - John
jules47 said
02:22 AM Sep 29, 2012
Love sausage rolls - some are too salty, some have too many "additions". some have soggy pastry - but, find a good one and relish it. The ones in Normanton baker are pretty good, I thought. The bakery in Karumba has really nice ones as well.
glassies said
03:00 PM Sep 29, 2012
Oh one place ive always wanted to see is karumba i just love water like that can imagine The big salty crocs laying in there ,i love fishing and more than anything in spots like that Unreal pics
rockylizard said
03:26 PM Sep 29, 2012
glassies wrote:
Oh one place ive always wanted to see is karumba i just love water like that can imagine The big salty crocs laying in there ,i love fishing and more than anything in spots like that Unreal pics
Gday...
Yep, I guess it is "big water" country ... and croc country ... a pic of the Karumba Point boat ramp
Cheers - John
spida said
04:41 PM Sep 29, 2012
Loved you descriptions of the rocks - I know just what you mean re camera too!
sarg said
12:51 AM Sep 30, 2012
WOW, I just loved your description of the rocks and the surounds...I lived in that area for 15 yrs long ago and never saw them in such a way ...you have opened my eyes to the wonder of that area again. I am going back next year to The Isa to catch up with some old friends, so I will be looking around with renewed interest. Its Gods country...and there really is a lot to see. Thanks John.
rockylizard said
02:12 AM Sep 30, 2012
sarg wrote:
WOW, I just loved your description of the rocks and the surounds...I lived in that area for 15 yrs long ago and never saw them in such a way ...you have opened my eyes to the wonder of that area again. I am going back next year to The Isa to catch up with some old friends, so I will be looking around with renewed interest. Its Gods country...and there really is a lot to see. Thanks John.
Gday...
I also adore this NW QLD countryside, especially coming up into Mt Isa from Dajarra - from about 30km south of the Isa ... and then again heading east from the Isa toward Cloncurry. I need a video camera embedded in my head - there are just not enough places available to stop and take photos.
Cheers - John
Firefly said
02:38 AM Sep 30, 2012
It is so spectacular up there isn't it. We were there in July and stayed at Mary Kathleen and unhooked the van. We went back to the roadside stop a couple of klms back and across the road, you can drive into the property there and look around. The colours blew me away.
Gday...
Now at Normanton in the very hot, dry, windy weather. Have been all around the town looking at the sights and being the perfect little tourist. Yesterday I drove out and spent the day at Karumba.
I think the entire worlds population of Toyota Landcruisers or Nissan Patrols with camper trailers with a tinny boat on top is either at Karumba, travelling to Karumba or travelling from Karumba.
The area is obviously a haven for fisher-people, but as I am not one, I found it a bit disappointing. I have met many people in my travels who have regaled me with stories of how Normanton and Karumba were places not to be missed. Unfortunately, I have not felt the same "buzz".
I really did like the area coming into Cloncurry from the south and then around Cloncurry - it filled me with enthusiasm. The bush was filled with lots of metre high ant hills looking like hundreds of little reddish, brown 'soldiers' guarding the bush from interlopers like me. Closer to Cloncurry, the predominant soil became more of a greyish, white and the cute little 'soldiers' were now dressed in different, lighter uniforms.
I was intrigued with the rock outcrops, some vibrant with their oxide colouring, and some as if they had been burnt by the sun to such a dark brown - they were almost black. They looked like they had been hiding under the ground and then burst upwards, scattering their boulders all around like huge marbles left behind by the children of giants. Other outcrops looked like weathered old backbones that had their razors reaching to the sky. Contrasting these red rocks, red stoney gravel and red soil was the flora which featured such a variegated green foliage, and in places bluish tinge, I wish I could get a camera mounted inside my head so that I could capture these scenes without having to continually stop the Landy.
I will remain in the Normanton area for another day or two and then begin wandering eastward, eventuallty to Millaa Millaa probably. I will then see where my wanderlust takes me.
Cheers - John
Gday...
In the Gulflander Van Park - just as ya enter Normanton. $100 for the week for a single. Couldn't resist
Basic but better than a lot I have been in.
cheers - John
Gday...
Yep
..... one of the things I do when I get to a town, is look out for the 'real' bakery. I have a weakness for sausage rolls and I just HAVE to sample them all 
cheers - John
The big salty crocs laying in there ,i love fishing and more than anything in spots like that
Unreal pics
Gday...
I also adore this NW QLD countryside, especially coming up into Mt Isa from Dajarra - from about 30km south of the Isa ... and then again heading east from the Isa toward Cloncurry. I need a video camera embedded in my head - there are just not enough places available to stop and take photos.
Cheers - John
It is so spectacular up there isn't it. We were there in July and stayed at Mary Kathleen and unhooked the van. We went back to the roadside stop a couple of klms back and across the road, you can drive into the property there and look around. The colours blew me away.