Outback Towns

Normanton

Located at the head of the Norman River, 700km west of Cairns ,with a population of 1,328, Normanton is known as the 'Barramundi Capital of the North', with locals regularly catching fish in excess of 5kg.

About Normanton

Normanton – The Barramundi Capital of the North

Located at the head of the Norman River, 700km west of Cairns ,with a population of 1,328, Normanton is known as the 'Barramundi Capital of the North', with locals regularly catching fish in excess of 5kg.

The town sits on a high ironstone ridge and the surrounding area comprises coastal saltpans and mangrove fringed river systems. Normanton is internationally recognised as an important location for Australia's migratory wading birds such as brolga and sarus crane.

The Morning Glory

From late September to early November a peculiar cloud formation occurs. The Morning Glory is a series of long cigar shaped cloud formations that roll out of the Gulf in lines of three or four, usually in the early hours before daylight.

Normanton History

Normanton was established in 1868. In 1891 theGulflander Railmotor weekly train service from Croydon to Normanton was established. The town became the principal port for the goldrush town of Croydon, 150km to the east-southeast.

Normanton's Indigenous Culture

The Normanton area of the Gulf of Carpentaria holds the traditional lands of the Gkuthaarn, Kukatj, Kurtijar and Kokoberrin peoples.

Things To See And Do in Normanton

Take a scenic wildlife-spotting cruise or try your hand at fishing with a local Savannah Guide, visit the railway station, take a ride on the Gulflander.

Historic buildings include the 'Purple Pub', the 'Albion Hotel', the original Burns Philp building, the Bank of New South Wales which is now a listed National Trust building.

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