Rumba rumba, Karumba! And the outback town of Normanton.

Well, Karumba might not be as vivacious as the dance style of rumba, but it does have its own charm. Especially if you like fishing, as it is rather exciting to see someone tackle a huge barramundi - or even better, hook one yourself. There's the beach, where the outback literally meets the sea, and it is quite a welcoming sight after days of travel in the dry, drought-battered outback. Not that you can go for a refreshing swim as you have to keep the saltwater crocodiles in mind, and they do indeed have a huge (biggest ever) reminder of the deadly salties in Normanton where you can meet Krys the Crocodile, and all 8.63 meters of it! Lucky for us, it had been shot by the greatest female crocodile hunter Krystina Pawlowski in 1957, and he's nothing but a gentle giant now.

There is, however, a very real 6 meter crocodile inhabiting the Norman River right in the township of Normanton though, and if you were to camp beside the river, the council takes up your name and other details just in case someone goes missing... On the other side of the bridge is no safer as it's sacred Aboriginal land (burial grounds), and from what I have heard here and elsewhere, you'd better stay away from this area, just to be safe. It might not be a saltie but the Rainbow Serpent that will swallow you, or the spirits of the old people might keep haunting you forever.

The road from Normanton to Karumba showcases different forms of life, no matter how dry it looks. Brolgas are everywhere, kangaroos crossing roads, wallabys inhabiting golf courses and caravan parks, goannas taking it slow and steady in the middle of the road even with road trains nearing. And some of the Mutton Hole wetlands with beautiful lily ponds have survived the drought, and are colouring the roadside green. The outback never ceases to surprise me.

- M -

Outback by the sea - this boat still looks a bit out of place here in Normanton. 

Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria welcoming visitors, with a whole lot of roadworks throughout town.

Karumba sunset on the Phantom.

The water might look inviting, but there's no way we'd plunge in!

We've got to try our luck on that famous Karumba barramundi!

Mr Goanna taking his time.

Without any rain in the past wet season, this is all that is left from the wetlands reaching from Normanton to Karumba.

Lilyponds beautify the otherwise dead scenery.

Got to get used to greeting these mammoths on these roads. Some of them full of cattle heading for Port of Karumba.

Brolgas can be seen everywhere in the gulf - such beautiful and gracious looking birds.

Normanton has a friendly feel...

...and some history.

Even Krys the Savannah King is friendly nowadays.

Streets of Normanton.

Norman river hiding its inhabitants, big and small...