Are you on a north Queensland road trip and searching for unique places to visit? Karumba offers an experience like no other, far away from the tropical rainforests on the east coast.
If you’re wondering whether travelling such a long way to get to Karumba is a good idea, keep reading to find out why they call it ‘Barradise’ and why it’s worth taking the time to visit.
Karumba has an abundance of interesting natural sights and human history, with hundreds of stories to tell and plenty of friendly locals to tell them, and you will certainly not fall short on things to do.
Where is Karumba?
Karumba is in the state of Queensland, Australia. It’s about 70km north of the nearest town of Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Formally speaking, Karumba is miles away from anything!
Do you need a 4WD to get to Karumba?
No, you absolutely do not need a 4WD to get to Karumba. The road to Karumba is fully sealed all the way to town and you will be able to get there in almost any vehicle. Just keep in mind that the sides of the road are narrow, and that they can be very soft after rain. Take care when driving in this remote area.
Best Time to Visit Karumba: March to September
During the winter months the weather in Karumba is cooler and the town comes alive with visitors. This is the dry season, which also makes it the easiest time to access the town via road. Visiting in the wet season is usually not possible, as the low-lying roads periodically flood and access to the town is blocked.
You might even get lucky if you’re in Karumba from September to November, when the natural spectacle of ‘morning glory’ clouds grace the sky. These are long waves of clouds up to 1000km long, looking like endless rows of lavender fields. The locals says that high humidity and a strong breeze during the days before are the perfect conditions for this lucky phenomenon.
1. Visit the Barra Discovery Centre – The famous fish that Karumba is known for
Karumba is known for its barramundi fishery, underpinning both commercial fishing and tourism in the town.
Karumba has a state-of-the-art discovery and research centre where you can learn all about the famous fish. Head out to the Barramundi Discovery Centre & Hatchery to check out their interactive museum and barramundi hatchery and lagoon.
You can learn all about the life cycle of a barramundi, they’ve even got live fish swimming around in the museum. Discover the history of Karumba and the Gulf Country, go on a guided tour of the centre, feed the barramundi ‘fingerlings’ (the baby hatchlings), learn about the centre’s contributions to scientific research, and have a coffee or treat at their onsite café.
The centre was originally set up by local professional fishermen who wanted to restock the waterways by hatching ‘fingerlings’ to create a sustainably fishery. It’s since grown and is now the only barramundi hatchery in the world that breeds the Southern Gulf species of barramundi.
The centre is open daily from 9am to 4pm during the dry season (April to September). It’s still open daily in the wet season but with limited hours that are subject to change, typically that’s 9am to 12pm.
If you want to go on a barra-feeding tour, make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment. You can make a booking and learn more about the Discovery Centre on their website.
2. Spot a brolga or a jabiru
Karumba is at the heart of the pristine Gulf Country and is home to thousands of rare and beautiful birds and animals. Keep a lookout for pelicans, brolgas, jabiru, black swans, rainbow bee eaters, kites and other birds of prey. Don’t forget that this is also croc country – a pristine environment that freshwater and saltwater crocodiles have called home for thousands of years.
3. Take a river cruise on the Norman River
Karumba is lcoated on the banks of the Norman River and is the only town that’s situated on the Gulf of Carpentaria. The town is perched right where the Norman River meets the Gulf and is the only place on the Gulf where tidal flats don’t dominate the landscape.
After World War II, Karumba became a popular place to go crocodile hunting. It was so popular that by 1974 the crocodile population had been decimated nearly to the point of no return. The Queensland government put legislation in place in 1974 to protect the crocodiles and to allow the species to regenerate. Now you can cruise the Norman River and spot plenty of these huge prehistoric creatures.
Where can I see crocodiles in Karumba?
The best way to see crocodiles in Karumba is to go on a boat tour. It’s highly possible that you’ll see a crocodile from the shore at Karumba, but the safest way to spot one is from a boat. There are two main companies in Karumba that offer boat tours, both offering a variety of cruise options.
The Ferryman
The Ferryman are a long-running local business that offer sunset cruises, dinner cruises, morning tea and nature cruises, and so much more. They are perfect for large groups with their spacious ferry-like boats. Check out their cruises and make your booking on their website.
Croc & Crab Cruises Karumba
Croc & Crab Cruises Karumba offer a Nature Cruise or a Sunset Island Cruise. The ‘Island Cruise’ will take you to Sand Island where they will feed you fresh Gulf prawns, nibbles, and drinks. You will have the chance to go for a sunset walk on the island before departing back to town.
The ‘Croc and Crab Cruise’ offers bird watching and feeding, croc spotting, and morning tea. Both of their cruises will take you along Norman River and Six Mile Creek. Bookings for all of their tours are essential – check out the options and make your booking on their website.
4. Fishing
What Karumba adventure list would be complete without fishing? Try your hand at catching the famous barramundi, or go for something different like a queenie, mackerel, salmon, fingermark, black jewfish, grunter, catfish, or bream.
The best way to have an awesome fishing experience at Karumba is to jump on board a local fishing charter. The fishing charters in Karumba are owned and run locally, by people who know the area like the back of their hand.
Kerry D Fishing Charters
Kerry D Fishing Charters operate 7 days a week, all year round. Even though you probably won’t be visiting during the wet season, it’s great to know there are dedicated locals waiting to take you on an incredible fishing adventure! Bookings are essential, so head to their website to check out what they offer and make your booking.
Karumba Fishing Adventures
Karumba Fishing Adventures offer half-day or full-day charters for up to 4 people – perfect for couples, small families or groups. Check out their Facebook page to learn more and make a booking.
5. Visit Krys the Massive Croc
The Big Crocodile Krys is a full-sized replica of Queensland’s biggest crocodile, coming in at a massive 8.6 metres long. The statue is actually located in Normanton, 70km from Karumba.
The story goes that this huge saltwater crocodile was shot by polish hunter Krystina Pawlowski in 1957 before there were any rules in place to prevent people hunting these incredible creatures. The crocodile was nicknamed ‘Krys’ after its hunter.
The statue and the story of Krys is a telling and eerie reminder of the habits of destruction that humans have formed over the years.
6. Watch the sun set across the ocean
A novel idea in Queensland is that of watching the sun set over the ocean. Karumba is the only place in Queensland where you can catch a glimpse of the sun setting over the ocean – and it is nothing short of spectacular.
When you visit Karumba, you might also notice that there is just one tide per day – the ‘Karumba tide’. This happens because of the relatively small opening at the top of the Gulf of Carpentaria, allowing only a limited volume of water in during the larger tidal cycles in the Indian Ocean. The tidal wave takes 12 hours to get from the top of the Gulf down to Karumba, and another 12 hours to get back out again, meaning only one tide occurs at Karumba each day. The scientific explanation for this is a lot more in-depth, but regardless, it’s an awesome phenomenon to witness.
7. Go for a swim at the local pool – Play at Karumba Water Park
The Karumba Water Park at the Karumba Swimming Pool is your best option if you want to cool off while you’re in Karumba. You will go past it on your way into town and you’ll see the water park from the road.
Can you swim in the ocean at Karumba?
You absolutely should not swim in the ocean at Karumba. Saltwater and freshwater crocodiles are home in this region, with some of the strongest populations in Australia. It’s an area that is largely untouched by humans, and the perfect place for crocodiles to thrive. Swimming at the beach in Karumba is dangerous and you should never ignore the warning signs.
You might see some locals swimming at Karumba Point Beach, but please note that they are swimming at their own risk. Locals are comfortable with the crocs because they see them all the time, but it doesn’t mean that it’s actually safe to swim there.
The closest hospital is 560 km away in Mount Isa – you’ll be a long way from help if the worst were to happen. The big yellow croc warning signs are everywhere for a reason – don’t ignore them.
8. Have a beer at the Sunset Tavern
Located at the mouth of the Norman River, Karumba’s Sunset Tavern is the perfect place to watch the sun go down over the ocean. Check out the delicious food and drinks menu on their website, and head down for a meal and a pint after a long day of fishing and exploring.
9. Walk from Karumba to Karumba-Point on the Heritage Walk
The Karumba Heritage Walk is a 4km long paved walk with lots of boardwalks to explore. All along the way you will find interesting information boards which walk you through Karumba’s history: stories of First Peoples’, pioneers, commercial fishing, World War II squadrons and shipwrecks. You’re sure to find something to pique your interest, if not you can revel in the natural beauty along the foreshore.
10. Head to the Outback by the Sea Festival
Each year Karumba hosts a unique week-long arts, music, barramundi, and crafts festival. It is usually hosted around late September and brings hundreds of visitors to town. Check out this year’s dates and artists on their Facebook page.
There’s plenty of activities and workshops on offer to suit your interests – like stargazing, painting, birdwatching, and evening concerts.
11. Discover Karumba’s History
Karumba was an important base during World War II and has a rich history which you can read about on the information boards across town. Sunderland Park has a cenotaph dedicated to the men who were part of the 43rd squadron. Each year ANZAC ceremonies are held at Sunderland Park.
12. Visit the Karumba Community Markets
If you happen to be in Karumba on a weekend, you can’t miss the Karumba Community Markets. They are held at the Sunset Tavern every Sunday from April to August, and run from 8am to 12pm.
Entry is free and you can wander around to find crafts, gifts, arts, plants, and delicious treats. Check out the vendors and get updates on their Facebook page.
13. Stay at Karumba Point Sunset Caravan Park
If you’re staying in town for a little while, the Karumba Point Sunset Caravan Park is the perfect place to have a rest. There are options for everyone at very reasonable prices, just make sure that you make a booking well in advance – this tiny town gets surprisingly busy.
You can choose from powered and unpowered camping sites, caravan sites, and villas. There is a great range of amenities including a swimming pool, café, kids jungle gym, campers kitchen, toilets and showers, and a laundry.
It’s also just a 2-minute walk to the beach and is right next to the town boat ramp. When I visited, I stayed in an unpowered campsite – it was pretty tight, but everyone was so friendly that it didn’t bother me. You’re sure to find someone interesting to chat to in the camper’s kitchen or on the site next to you.
Is it worth going to Karumba?
I am not entirely sure what drew me to Karumba in the first place, but once I arrived, I found out why. The locals are exceptionally friendly, there is a bustling fishing industry with awesome research and development going on, there is a huge abundance of untouched nature, birds I had never seen before, and great places to eat, drink, and just relax.
Overall, it is absolutely worth visiting Karumba while you’re in the region. This tiny town will surprise you in all the best ways!
Are you a Karumba fanatic?
If you’ve been to Karumba before and have a story to share, we’d love to hear it! Leave a question or story in the Comments below.