Karumba, QLD

Hi Keith

We were there around a month ago, and every carvan park was fully booked. When we went into the Visitor Information Centre to get some local information, the first thing the lady asked was..."I hope you have booked in".

We did not stay there, and can not comment on what the parks are like. The only thing I can say is from what we could see from the road, they all utilised every square inch of room and you would not have any privacy from your next door neighbour. Not unless you have a very firm travel plan, it would be very hard to know an exact day that you intend to arrive, as like many things, when you travel many thousands of kilometres, you do not want to rush the drive just to get there.

If you intend to stay at Normanton, I would personally prefer to free camp across the river, just out of town and too far for locals to walk. Normanton is only a very small town, but it does not sit right when you book into the caravan park, only to be told "do not leaving anything valuable in your car, make sure it is locked at all times and keep you van secure when not around." I will not say for what for, but you will know when you get to see why when you are there.......mini Alice Springs.

The cheapest fuel in the area, is at the fuel depot in Kuramba, near the cattle export terminal, what was nearly 20 cents per litre cheaper than Normanton. It may look like a fuel terminal, but they are open to the public, and just keep heading west after the main shopping area.


Enjoy your trip.



Cheers



Stephen

Keith,
we were there 2 weeks ago, and like Stephen says it was pretty full. But we had no trouble - booked into one of the 3 parks at Karumba Point (the one closest to the pub). Had dinner at the pub and watched the sunset. Yes, the sites were a bit sqeezy because everyone around us had a boat and many were there for 4 months straight to escape the cold down south. But they were a very friendly bunch, and we enjoyed the stay.
There was a bigger park in the town itself that looked less crowded.

As far as Stephen's recommendation about the freecamp on the river at Normanton, I wouldn't rely on it. We attempted to stay there, but it is limited to 10 campers only with permits issued from the visitors info centre. You have to be there at 9am to get the permits, otherwise they will be gone. If you camp without a permit, you may cop a $200 fine. It was a nice spot though. The caravan park at Normanton looked unappealing so we moved on to Croydon, and had a good time there.

Cheers
Phil

Hi Keith,
Agree with Scott. If you are fishing that's great but otherwise "just a look" will suffice. And caravan park was full to the brim at Karumba Point but we stayed at the other one around the other side, can't remember name, not as nice location but just a busy. You really don't have a lot of choice from memory?
Amanda

Re all the 'just look' comments if you do not fish
I wish to add a "and have a barra' to that. To have a barra and a cool ale at the pub at sunset is something I will do again.
And at Normanton, a street just off the main drag, there is a lunch/sandwich type take away place (sorry cant remember the name) but the Barra Burger is an absolute must.
CJ

I stayed at the caravan park near the bakery..supermarket in karumba.
Also recommend filling up at the oil depot too...
that pub is MAGIC at sunset.
great spot.
C/park was good
friendly and not all that busy.
Fish werent on the bite either.
drove all the way from mackay

G'day Keith,

We were there in October a few years ago and it was a lot quitter than this early but I can only imagine how crowded it will be. I have a blog with some info that might be useful,
Karumba

Kind regards