Normanton, Queensland: Things to do & best attractions

The best things to do in Normanton, Queensland, include taking the Gulflander train, seeing the statue of Australia’s biggest crocodile and visiting Burke and Wills’ most northerly camp.

Normanton, Queensland, is one of the main towns on the drive from Cairns to Darwin across the top of Australia. It’s where the Burke Developmental Road from the Atherton Tableland meets National Highway 1.

There are a few things to do in Normanton, Queensland. As remote Australian towns go, it’s a fairly attractive place. This former gold rush town has many well-preserved heritage buildings. These heritage buildings include the Normanton Railway Station, from where one of Australia’s strangest train services operates.

Things to do in Normanton, Queensland: The Gulflander train

The Gulflander train travels 151km from Normanton to Croydon, departing once a week. It doesn’t connect to the rest of the Queensland rail network, and now exists primarily as a tourist attraction. The Normanton to Croydon departures are on Wednesdays, with the return journey on Thursdays. Full information is available on the Gulflander website.

Things to do in Normanton, Queensland: Krys the Crocodile

Normanton’s icon, however, is Krys the Crocodile. This statue isn’t quite like Australia’s other Big Things, as it is a lifesize representation. At a highly disputed 8.64m long, Krys is supposedly the largest crocodile ever caught in Australia – he was captured by a hunter in the Norman River back in 1957.

Krys the Crocodile statue in Normanton, Queensland — Krys the Crocodile in Normanton, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

The Norman River is still very much croc territory, by the way. You very much do not want to go for a swim in there.

If you’re more interested in bird-watching than croc-spotting, the Mutton Hole Wetlands offer the best viewing opportunities. Brolgas, cranes and jabirus are among the species regularly seen at the Mutton Hole Wetlands.

What to do in Normanton, Queensland: Burke and Wills Camp 119

The other key attraction in Normanton, or rather just outside, is Burke and Wills Camp 119. About 30km south-west of the town, this is where ill-fated explorers Burke and Wills made their final camp. They were distressingly close to completing the as-then pioneering journey across the continent from south to north. But Burke and Wills never quite reached the Gulf of Carpentaria and died on the return journey. There’s evidence of the camp, and interpretative panels, by the seasonal Little Blynoe River.

If you want to go where Burke and Wills failed, then fishing hotspot Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria is a short detour away.

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