What’s to see at Normanton?

We have a spare day on our tour today, a time to rest and relax, have a look around, and maybe, have a dip in the pool.  Normanton is is a small cattle town and locality in the Shire of Carpentaria in Queensland, Australia. In the 2011 census, Normanton had a population of 1,468 people of whom 696 were Indigenous Australians.  We asked the server in the pub where we had our meal last night what people do in her town, and she replied that they drink a lot!  Must be good for business then. She also directed us to photos on the wall of the last big flood in town, when they were cut off for some weeks.  Crocodiles came with the flood water and her blue heeler dog was taken, along with several others.  Scary times indeed.

Looking down the main street

The town has interesting stone pitched gutters, made with stone from the Normanton quarry and was laid in the 1880s.  Certainly something that we hadn’t seen before.  Obviously after all this time, parts are starting to crumble away.

Stone pitched gutters in town

Our accommodation for two nights is at the Normanton Tourist Park, in ensuite cabins.  We have a lovely peaceful view from our shady deck.

An artesian bore was put down in 1895, to a depth of 2330ft, and provided nearly 300,000gallons per day.  Repaired in 1988 after leaking badly the flow now measures 140,000 galls per day and now services the caravan park’s hot water and supplements the town water supply.

The old bore

Robin has been happily chatting to caravan owners, as he does, talking about rigs, and tow vehicles, and goodness knows whatever else male campers talk about.  We have noticed that most Aussie caravans seem shorter than NZ ones, and all seem to come equipped with air conditioning units.

Caravans parked under the trees

After spending a lazy day in camp today, and a refreshing dip in the pool, we are looking forward to having a trip tomorrow on the first of the vintage railcars, the Gulflander.  Watch this space!