For a small Queensland town, you’ll find lots of things to do in Karumba. Nestled on the southeastern side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, there is something extraordinary about standing and looking out over this body of water. We enjoyed our time exploring this small Gulf town.
The main reason we headed to Karumba Queensland was to visit friends. Our friends David and Bina have been holidaying in Karumba every year for the past 18 years for 3 months during winter. And they are not alone, a large number of the park’s temporary residents have been visiting from all over Australia for up to 20 years. Some escape the winter and cold weather down south and stay for 6 months of the year.
In fact, this tiny outback town by the sea swells from just over 500 residents to 5,000 residents during the busy dry season!
Why? For the fishing, it’s off the charts in Karumba. Karumba fishing is just one of the things to do in Karumba.
Location – Where Is Karumba Queensland?
Situated in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, Karumba is a coastal town with a rich history that adds to its charm. This picturesque location lies about 2100 kilometres northwest of Brisbane, offering a unique blend of outback and coastal experiences.
Karumba Map
Karumba Qld At A Glance
Historically, Karumba was known as a telegraph station which later evolved into a vibrant port during the 1930s due to the gold rush in Croydon. It also played a significant role during World War II as a military base.
Over time, the town has grown and prospered, currently known for its thriving fishing industry, especially the prawn and barramundi catch, making it a haven for seafood lovers. Although King salmon and blue salmon are also popular catches.
If you are keen on catching mud crabs there are plenty of mangroves along the shores of Karumba. Although we don’t recommend walking in the shallow water surrounding the mangroves as Karumba is Croc country.
Karumba also serves as a gateway to the Southern Gulf of Carpentaria’s wetlands and estuaries, home to an array of wildlife and stunning natural beauty.
Here are some stats about Karumba, including Karumba weather.
| Population | According to the 2016 census Karumba's population was 531 people |
| Location | Gulf Country Normanton to Karumba 71 km Cairns to Karumba 748 km Cloncurry To Karumba 451 km Brisbane to Karumba 2,159 km |
| Main Economy | Fishing, Prawning & Century Zinc Mine |
| Climate | Tropical Savannah |
| Summer Temperatures | 20.0 - 30.7 ℃ |
| Winter Temperatures | 14.0 - 29.9 ℃ |
| Average Rainy Days | 56.3 days |
Things To Do In Karumba
If you are looking for a shopping experience, fine dining and some pampering Karumba won’t be for you. However, if you are keen on fishing, love relaxing or want to do a croc tour or two then you’ll love Karumba.
1. LES WILSON BARRAMUNDI DISCOVERY CENTRE
Our first stop in Karumba was at the Les Wilson Barramundi Centre. When you visit the centre, you will learn about the iconic Barramundi, particularly the Southern Gulf strain.
The Discovery Centre has an excellent interpretive display with information on Barramundi and other fish and wildlife in general. Entry to the Discovery Centre is free and you can wander outside and around the large saltwater lagoon brimming with barramundi. You can also sit lagoon-side and enjoy morning tea from the on-site cafe.
Guided behind-the-scenes tours are also available of the hatchery or you can take part in a Feed-the-Barra tour. All are great experiences and the guides are very knowledgeable and generous with their time.
The Discovery Centre is also home to the Karumba Visitor Information Centre.
2. KARUMBA SELF-GUIDED HERITAGE WALK
After we visited the Barramundi Centre, we decided to take a walk along part of the Heritage Walk which runs adjacent to the Norman River. Here you can see Karumba Lodge – ‘B’ Block, which was used as a radio and communication base during WWII. It is now a private residence.
The town boat ramp is also located along the walk. This large concrete slipway was built by the RAAF in the early 1940s and was used to get Catalinas and Short Sunderland aircraft in and out of the water.
Sunderland Park is also located along the walk and here you will find the town Cenotaph which has spectacular views over the Norman River.
3. Visit KARUMBA POINT
Our final stop on our first day of sunshine was Karumba Point. Located on the mouth of the Norman River, we loved the experience of standing right on the edge of the Gulf of Carpentaria. We were surprised to discover that the water of the Gulf is very shallow and as the tide raced quickly out we could see a large sandbar appearing.
4. Karumba Fishing
If you are a keen fisherman or woman or just want to try your luck at nabbing a big barra, then Karumba is the place to be. There are loads of fishing charters and tours available from Karumba with all the local knowledge to help ensure you catch a fish worth bragging about.
Many people we met in the
Tide Times Karumba Australia
Due to Karumba’s location, there are only 2 tide times per day, 12 hours apart. If you are looking for tides for fishing Karumba, then you should know that the Karumba tides are a little different to elsewhere as there is only one high and one low tide every 24 hours.
This is due to the Gulf’s location, size and the Indian Ocean pushing into the large bay.
5. Karumba FISHING CHARTERS
As our friend Dave had a boat we didn’t need to go on a Karumba fishing charter. We did ask our mates though and they recommend Kerry D Fishing Tours.
Apparently, the tours are personally tailored to what you want to catch and for the length of time you want to fish.
We did have a chat with one of our neighbours at the
6. Croc and Crab Tour Karumba
While we didn’t see any crabs on the sunset tour, (do the morning tour if you want to see crabs) we did see a saltwater crocodile on the Norman River at Karumba.
He’s pretty used to the boat apparently (he’s there every afternoon sunbaking) and if he wasn’t used to the boat he’d have headed into the water. Despite what you read and hear about Crocs in the Gulf (that they are everywhere) this is the only one we saw on the tour and in our stay at Karumba.
That’s not to say you should be complacent if you can’t see them. They are more aware of us than we are of them in their natural habitat. On New Year’s Eve in 2016, a Croc wandered into the backyard on the Karumba esplanade!
After Croc spotting the tour heads to the main coastal area of Karumba, Port of Karumba and the history of the town is explained. Together with the fishing, crabbing and prawning industry that Karumba is renowned for.
Raptis owns all 11 prawn trawlers. Each one costs five million big ones. They are out to sea for months at a time and all the prawns are sorted, packed and frozen onboard. Most of the catch goes to Coles and Woolies.
There are two prawn seasons. One for Banana Prawns (March for approx 10 weeks) and one for Tiger Prawns (August for 16 weeks). Unlike other prawn trawlers around the country, when the trawlers dock they don’t sell to the public.
After the short tour of Karumba’s coastal strip the boat heads for the sand island, 7km out to sea. This is where you watch the sunset and wonder the island looking for shells while the crew sets up
Tables, chairs, food and drinks are unloaded by the crew and within 10 minutes you help yourself to the various bites and some prawns.
We enjoyed the Croc and Crab tour and the banter between the crew members.
7. Watch A Sunset
The best place to watch a sunset in Karumba is at Karumba Point. Most people head for the beer garden at the Sunset Tavern.
If you want to enjoy a private sunset you can drive down the dirt track and park anywhere along the shoreline, enjoy a few sundowners and watch the sun slip below the horizon.
8. EAt A Prawn Sandwich At Ash’s Karumba
Ash’s Cafe is at Karumba Point and is a popular takeaway and cafe for locals and caravanners and campers.
We were told by a seafood provider in town that the prawns used at Ash’s come from the east coast. Whereas the banana prawns bought from the Karumba Point Holiday Park are locally caught.
This is NOT true! I confirmed with Ash’s when I had my (second) prawn sandwich they are DEFINITELY locally caught prawns. The staff at Ash’s were a bit bummed that a local would suggest the opposite. It was offered to show me the packaging the prawns came in as proof that they proudly support locally caught prawns.
We preferred Ash’s prawns as we found the banana prawns from the holiday park too soft and a little bland.
We also had a few servings of fish and chips from Ash’s too and both were delicious. Ash’s even caters for Gluten Free and provides a Gluten Free batter for fish and chips.
9. Sunset Tavern Karumba
This lovely pub has a huge shady beer garden area that looks out over the Gulf and it was the perfect spot to watch the receding tide. Of course, when in Gulf County you have to have Barramundi.
We tried the Grilled Barramundi and a Barramundi Burger, both were delicious, with the fish being perfectly cooked and generous in portion size. Just another example of a great outback pub!
The Tavern is also the number one spot to watch the sunset over the waters of the Gulf.
Accommodation KARUMBA
If you are looking for Karumba accommodation then you are spoilt for choice. There are five Karumba
Caravan Parks Karumba
There are two main areas in Karumba for
The distance between the point and the township is 6 km so just 5 mins in a car.
Karumba Point Sunset Caravan Park Karumba
The Sunset
If you want to know which is the best
There are also cabins, a swimming pool, an onsite cafe (seasonal) and a small store at reception in the Karumba Sunset
- 📇 53 Palmer Street, Karumba
- 🐾 Pet Friendly
- 🚻 Toilets
- 🚿 Showers
- 🚰 Drinking Water
- 🚽 Dump Point
- ♿︎ Wheelchair Access
- 🧺 Laundry
- → Drive Through Bays
- 🏕
Caravan , camper trailer, RV/Motorhome, Big Rigs (10+m) - 🔌 Power Available
- 🌅 Scenery
- 🕶 Shade
- 🚶🏼♀️Walking Tracks
- 🚙 4wd Tracks
- 🚮 Bins
- 🥩 BBQs and Camp Kitchens
- 💦 Car Wash
- 🏊🏻♀️ Swimming
- 🎣 Fishing
- 🛥 Boat Ramp
- 🐊 Crocodiles
- 📶 Telstra Reception (Poor)
Click Here To Check Prices And Book Karumba Point Sunset Caravan Park
Karumba Point Holiday and Tourist Park
The Karumba Point Tourist Park is a friendly and fun park offering sites with new ensuites, powered and unpowered sites and self-contained villas.
There is a licenced beer garden and bar (only open to paying guests) and between June to August, the park also runs activities including craft, bingo and bocce.
- 📇 2 Col Kitching Dr, Karumba
- 🐾 Pet Friendly (camping only)
- 🚻 Toilets
- 🚿 Showers
- 🚰 Drinking Water
- 🚽 Dump Point
- ♿︎ Wheelchair Access
- 🧺 Laundry
- 🏕
Caravan , Camper Trailer, RV/Motorhome, Big Rigs (10+m) - 🔌 Power Available
- 📅 Booking Required
- 🛣 Close to Road
- 🦘Wildlife
- 🌅 Scenery
- 🕶 Shade
- 🔥 Open Fire Pits
- 🚮 Bins
- 🥩 BBQs and Camp Kitchens
- 💦 Car Wash
- 🏊🏻♀️ Swimming
- 🎣 Fishing
- 🛥 Boat Ramp Nearby
- 📶 Telstra Reception
- 📺 Good TV Reception
- 📶 Wifi Available
Click Here To Check Prices And Book The Karumba Point Holiday Park
Karumba Point Service Station
The Karumba Point Service Station has a small
- 📇 37 Col Kitching Dr, Karumba
- 🐾 Pet Friendly (camping only)
- 🚻 Toilets
- 🚿 Showers
- 🚰 Drinking Water
- 🚽 Dump Point
- ♿︎ Wheelchair Access
- 🧺 Laundry
- 🏕
Caravan , Camper Trailer, RV/Motorhome, Big Rigs (10+m) - 🔌 Power Available
- 📅 Booking Required
- 🛣 Close to Road
- 🦘Wildlife
- 🌅 Scenery
- 🕶 Shade
- 🚶🏼♀️Walking Tracks
- 🚮 Bins
- 🎣 Fishing
- 🛥 Boat Ramp Nearby
- 📶 Telstra Reception
- 📺 Good TV Reception
- ⛽️ Fuel Available
Gulf Caravan Park Karumba
The Gulf Country
They also have self-contained studios and units, ensuite cabins, a 3 bedroom house, and a 2-bedroom house.
- 📇 69 Yappar St, Karumba
- 🐾 Pet Friendly (camping only)
- 🚻 Toilets
- 🚿 Showers
- 🚰 Drinking Water
- 🚽 Dump Point
- ♿︎ Wheelchair Access
- 🧺 Laundry
- 🏕
Caravan , Camper Trailer, RV/Motorhome, Big Rigs (10+m) - 🔌 Power Available
- 🛣 Close to Road
- 🚶🏼♀️Walking Tracks
- 🌅 Scenery
- 🕶 Shade
- 🔥 Open Fire Pits
- 🚮 Bins
- 🥩 BBQs and Camp Kitchens
- 🏊🏻♀️ Swimming
- 🎣 Fishing
- 🛥 Boat Ramp Nearby
- 📶 Telstra Reception
- 📺 Good TV Reception
- 📶 Wifi Available
- 𒃽Gas Available
Karumba Lodge Caravan Park
Situated on absolute river frontage the park overlooks the Norman River. The park has quick and easy access to the town’s post office, Karumba supermarket, Karumba pharmacy and butchery.
The park is next to the town’s main boat ramp and pontoon.
- 📇 44 Yappar St, Karumba
- 🚻 Toilets
- 🚿 Showers
- 🚰 Drinking Water
- 🚽 Dump Point
- ♿︎ Wheelchair Access
- 🧺 Laundry
- 🏕
Caravan , Camper Trailer, RV/Motorhome, Big Rigs (10+m) - 🔌 Power Available
- 🛣 Close to Road
- 🕶 Shade
- 🚮 Bins
- 🥩 BBQs
- 🚶🏼♀️Walking Tracks
- 🎣 Fishing
- 🛥 Boat Ramp Nearby
- 📶 Telstra Reception
- 📺 Good TV Reception
Karumba Camping
There is no free camping in Karumba. Although we were told by the ranger in Normanton that only applies to a 5km radius from either Karumba or Normanton. There are not many places between Normanton and Karumba that you could pull of the road to camp that we could see.
If you are tenting it or have a camper trailer you can check in to all 5
Karumba
A little further down the road at the Karumba Holiday Park, they are advertising $46 per night.
Karumba Pubs
There are two main pubs in Karumba, the Animal Bar in the main township and Sunset Tavern at Karumba Point.
Animal Bar Karumba
For a bar with no windows or doors, it’s certainly a quirky outback pub.
Apparently, it has quite a history. Back in the day, everything (including the ashtrays) was bolted down so they couldn’t be used as weapons. Hence the name, The Animal Bar.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, in their song Animal Bar, have forever enshrined this tiny, lively pub with a line from their song The Animal Bar ‘Nearly 21 and everyone’s a sailor coming up strong at the Animal Bar’.
Anthony Kiedis, the band’s frontman, referenced the song from what he termed a “single-track dust town that goes without rain for 10 months”. He penned this song, which is an embodiment of waiting for transformation and feelings of frustration, for their 2006 album, Stadium Arcadium.
The Sunset Tavern has already been covered above.
Karumba Shops
There are a number of essential shops and stores in Karumba.
If you are Karumba Supermarket there are two in the main township of Karumba.
Cam’s Corner The Friendly Grocer
The Friendly Grocer is within the 24-hour service station on the corner of the main street called Cam’s Corner station. You’ll be surprised once you walk into the store as it’s a large supermarket for a small town.
Plus they stock a different range of products, including some cheeses, salami, cold meats, crackers and other items you wouldn’t expect to find in a small town.
Spar Supermarket Karumba
The Spar in Karumba has a good selection of groceries too. They often have specials on products. The range isn’t as large as you would find in other supermarkets. However, their range of basics is good.
Karumba Butchery
There is a butcher in Karumba, however, it was closed when we visited. Due to the lack of availability of staff, the owner had to close when he had to attend to a medical condition.
Karumba Backery
Unfortunately, the bakery is closed. You can however buy bread from either of the supermarkets in town and most
Other Stores
You’ll find all of the
Ash’s Cafe also carries a range of basic groceries and fishing gear. Plus you can buy blue salmon, Kind Salmon, Barramundi, prawns and bait.
Jones Marine is in the main township and caters to fishermen and women, hires boat trailers and supplies outboard motors and much more.
Wrap Up
You’ll find lots of things to do in Karumba. For a small town, it certainly delivers. Even if you are not into fishing it’s the perfect place to kick back and relax. The seafood is fresh and plentiful and the locals and other caravanners and campers are friendly. Which is what life on the road is all about don’t you think?
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With years of experience travelling Australia in a caravan, I’m passionate about helping others embark on their own unforgettable adventures. From off-grid camping tips to expert advice on planning the ultimate big lap of Australia, I share stories, practical hacks, and inspiration to make your journey stress-free and exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, join me as I explore the beauty of Australia, one road at a time!
