Norman River

This is where “the Outback meets the sea”.
Only a stones throw from Normanton but there is a gulf of difference. Big cowboy hats are swapped for costal fisher person vibe.
There are still too many really ugly fishing shirts - but - that’s a first world problem. At first I thought ‘Nomads were to blame, but these walking billboard fisherman are a 40-55 year old blokes. Someone out here has a shirt printing business who is making a killing, resulting in lots of big fish eyes watch us on the streets.

The towns story is one of innovation and survival. It looks like it is doing pretty well right now despite several periods of dire straights in its history. Presently fishing is huge, Barramundi and prawns in particular. There is also a very large livestock shipping depot (cattle). And tourism 🥴
Did you know, that the Gulf only has one low tide every 24 hours. The proximity of New Guinea to The Cape prevents the normal tidal cycle that we see on the east coast. AND the difference between high and low tide levels can be as much as 30k. I don’t think I want to be here when that is happening.

It’s 32.8 at Karumba. Sitting here with the breeze off the Gulf it feels yummy warm and cool at the same time.
We are at the Sunset Tavern. Which is renowned for the sunsets (surprise) and mud crab meals.
Sun still has 3 fingers before sunset so a sunset photo will follow. (It’s happy hour so here’s hoping I can manage a decent sunset photo)Read more