We just checked the maps and at a rough estimate it would be around a thousand k's round trip off the Barkly/Flinders highway for either destination using sealed roads. A bit daunting to go to both places, which would you recommend???? and why? Comments please?
Thanks!
Dougwe said
08:59 PM Jul 24, 2014
I Karumba, there are some funny sounding names of towns GD but I'm sure they are both good places to visit. Enjoy both if you go.
Vic41 said
09:39 PM Jul 24, 2014
Only know about Karumba Gerty, we stayed at Normanton and did a Gulflander trip from there, Karumba 75 kms away from Normanton on bitumen also, just did that as a day trip, preferred to stay at Normanton, very relaxing place, the Barramundi fish hatchery in Karumba is a must, but check the visiting hours, lots of info at Normanton Visitor Centre (near the Big Croc) Worth the trip if you have never been there.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 24th of July 2014 09:42:24 PM
I've done both and found them very interesting. They, each, have their charm and if possible I would suggest you try both but if time or $$ are a concern, I would suggest Boroloola. Head up the Tablelands Highway from Barkley Homestead. The road is blacktop all the way but only one lane wide and large cattle trucks have all the rights.
There is a good rest stop about 148k's North of Barkley at a windmill. You can go back from the road for a bit of seclusion. The highway crosses Brunette Downs Station which, in itself, is a revelation. Flat, open plains with nothing but grass and an odd tree. Fuel is expensive at Cape Crawford but buy only enough to get you to Boroloola as it is about 20c/litre cheaper.
At Boroloola, stay at either the McArthur River CP or head out to King Ash Bay camp area run by the fishing club.
Either way it's a great trip.
The Phantom
Dougwe said
06:33 AM Jul 25, 2014
Hey Vic you are about to eaten by a croc mate, RUN.
Sorry to digress GD. Normally don't do that
Patto44 said
07:47 AM Jul 25, 2014
Just departed from Karumba last week.
We stayed at Gulf Country C/park which is on the edge of 'town' as against the other two, which are at 'the point'.
Really enjoyed Karumba and extended our stay twice, mainly because of the really nice weather.
Not a lot to do unless you like fishing.
Diesel was $1.68 and food supplies were expensive.
Cheers
Patto
Vic41 said
08:38 AM Jul 25, 2014
Dougwe wrote:
Hey Vic you are about to eaten by a croc mate, RUN.
Sorry to digress GD. Normally don't do that
He'd spit me out Doug, likes Wombat's though!
Normanton also has camping on the banks of the Normanton River, permits etc from the Normanton Info Centre....Yeoeleven stayed there during his visit. A few shots of the Normanton Railway Station Depot and Museum, with diesel tram and also the Gulflander train.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Friday 25th of July 2014 08:47:30 AM
Gerty, Karumba is very cr owded at this time of year, the sites are small and you need to book well in advance.
if you don't like fishing there is not a lot to see and 3 or 4 days would be ample, I was there last year and in no hurry to go back. Better to stay at Normanton as suggested and do a day trip up.
By the way, thanks for the PM, did you get my reply?
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Friday 25th of July 2014 09:02:45 AM
Dunmowin said
01:36 PM Jul 25, 2014
Gerty, I will ask our hosts tonight at dinner about Boroloola. they were there a few weeks ago on their way back from Lorella Springs. They are locals, so should know what it is like. they have told us we can head south that way when we leave Darwin, but we have not made that decision yet.
bill12 said
02:30 PM Jul 25, 2014
I have been to Borraloola a number of times and can recommend it as an out of the way place, wiith great fishing. Buy your fuel in Mt Isa, as Cape Crawford has some of the biggest prices anywhere.Borra itself is cheaper, and has a supermarket, and a good service station, but not much else.There is an alchohol management system in place , so you were, when I was last there allowed to buy one carton each while there.The locals can,t even drink in their own houses, so theparks and gardens were trashed when I was there. Go to King Ash bay, on the Macarthur R , 50klms from town, for a great campsite right on the river. It has all the right facilities, and a great atmosphere. Costs , last time, were $85 a week. Great fishing in the river, but lots of crocs.If you have an off road setup, go up the Roper R road to Lorrela springs , which is a gem of a spot, with a thermal spring right in the middle of the camp area. I will be going back. Bill
Debussey said
04:47 PM Jul 25, 2014
G'day Gertie,
Yeah! Been to both Karumba and Boroloola, great experience just getting there.
Well worth the effort to get there and enjoy a (short) time in the 'Far Away'.
Best (and worst place is King Ash Bay. Spent a week there, got a good dose of the 'Horrors"
Humidity is so intense, I started dreaming of Giant Crocs and Snakes.
Went fishing with a 'mad man' (Max), he tipped me out of the boat (accidentally) into the
Croc infested waters. But; I lived to tell about it. Horrors cured once I got 200Km. south.
Be warned, you will need lots of 'moolah' to stay any time in these places. Fuel for vehicles
and your body will cost dearly. But, 'It's made round to go round'!!!!
Old fart - Grumpy. See you on the road
Patto44 said
04:55 PM Jul 25, 2014
Wizardofoz wrote:
Gerty, Karumba is very cr owded at this time of year, the sites are small and you need to book well in advance.
if you don't like fishing there is not a lot to see and 3 or 4 days would be ample, I was there last year and in no hurry to go back. Better to stay at Normanton as suggested and do a day trip up.
By the way, thanks for the PM, did you get my reply?
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Friday 25th of July 2014 09:02:45 AM
Just been there and not crowded this year. New owner of Gulf Country complaining about lack of bookings.
bill12 said
05:19 PM Jul 25, 2014
Don,t go anywhere in the Gulf or NT in SUMMER! I usually goin Sept or October at the end of the dry season as theroads have been graded.Averaged 80kph on the Burktown Borra road last time after it had been graded.Roads usuallrough after wet. Bill
Gerty Dancer said
08:34 PM Jul 25, 2014
Thank you for your input!
We asked this question at happy hour this evening and a couple recommended Lorrella Springs near Borroloola, said they have returned over several years they love it so much and there is so much to see. It sounded wonderful, but its on dirt roads, and we've just had another little mishap after about 20k's of dirt road... so its not for us
Gerty, I will ask our hosts tonight at dinner about Boroloola. they were there a few weeks ago on their way back from Lorella Springs. They are locals, so should know what it is like. they have told us we can head south that way when we leave Darwin, but we have not made that decision yet.
Gerty, a lot have replied since I said I would ask our hosts. They have said, it is a long way "out of the way" just to look at the place, there is a good camp site at King Ash Bay - about 30k dirt road, BUT again, it is a long way to go just for a good camp site. Borroloola is a 'community" town, good supermarket, restricted alcohol etc, but again, a long way to go just for a visit. They do not recommend it as a detour.
Our hosts also went to Lorella Springs while we were here. Beautiful place to camp, but you need 4WD for the property.....
Your call Gerty.
Gerty Dancer said
02:00 PM Jul 26, 2014
Thanks Dunmowin, and everybody who replied.
We're thinking we might have a go at getting to Normanton/Karumba, as we can then have a ride on the Gulflander and visit Croydon. The downside is we'd have to use the same road there and back. We just cant do a "Coastal around Australia Trip" without a visit to the Gulf
dING said
06:45 PM Jul 26, 2014
Spent a few years there back in 60s and 70s twas a wild ol town then but very enjoyable
-- Edited by dING on Saturday 26th of July 2014 07:02:50 PM
We just checked the maps and at a rough estimate it would be around a thousand k's round trip off the Barkly/Flinders highway for either destination using sealed roads. A bit daunting to go to both places, which would you recommend???? and why? Comments please?
Thanks!
Only know about Karumba Gerty, we stayed at Normanton and did a Gulflander trip from there, Karumba 75 kms away from Normanton on bitumen also, just did that as a day trip, preferred to stay at Normanton, very relaxing place, the Barramundi fish hatchery in Karumba is a must, but check the visiting hours, lots of info at Normanton Visitor Centre (near the Big Croc) Worth the trip if you have never been there.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 24th of July 2014 09:42:24 PM
I've done both and found them very interesting. They, each, have their charm and if possible I would suggest you try both but if time or $$ are a concern, I would suggest Boroloola. Head up the Tablelands Highway from Barkley Homestead. The road is blacktop all the way but only one lane wide and large cattle trucks have all the rights.
There is a good rest stop about 148k's North of Barkley at a windmill. You can go back from the road for a bit of seclusion. The highway crosses Brunette Downs Station which, in itself, is a revelation. Flat, open plains with nothing but grass and an odd tree. Fuel is expensive at Cape Crawford but buy only enough to get you to Boroloola as it is about 20c/litre cheaper.
At Boroloola, stay at either the McArthur River CP or head out to King Ash Bay camp area run by the fishing club.
Either way it's a great trip.
The Phantom
Hey Vic you are about to eaten by a croc mate, RUN.
Sorry to digress GD. Normally don't do that
We stayed at Gulf Country C/park which is on the edge of 'town' as against the other two, which are at 'the point'.
Really enjoyed Karumba and extended our stay twice, mainly because of the really nice weather.
Not a lot to do unless you like fishing.
Diesel was $1.68 and food supplies were expensive.
Cheers
Patto
He'd spit me out Doug, likes Wombat's though!
Normanton also has camping on the banks of the Normanton River, permits etc from the Normanton Info Centre....Yeoeleven stayed there during his visit.
A few shots of the Normanton Railway Station Depot and Museum, with diesel tram and also the Gulflander train.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Friday 25th of July 2014 08:47:30 AM
Gerty, Karumba is very cr owded at this time of year, the sites are small and you need to book well in advance.
if you don't like fishing there is not a lot to see and 3 or 4 days would be ample, I was there last year and in no hurry to go back. Better to stay at Normanton as suggested and do a day trip up.
By the way, thanks for the PM, did you get my reply?
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Friday 25th of July 2014 09:02:45 AM
Gerty, I will ask our hosts tonight at dinner about Boroloola. they were there a few weeks ago on their way back from Lorella Springs. They are locals, so should know what it is like. they have told us we can head south that way when we leave Darwin, but we have not made that decision yet.
Yeah! Been to both Karumba and Boroloola, great experience just getting there.
Well worth the effort to get there and enjoy a (short) time in the 'Far Away'.
Best (and worst place is King Ash Bay. Spent a week there, got a good dose of the 'Horrors"
Humidity is so intense, I started dreaming of Giant Crocs and Snakes.
Went fishing with a 'mad man' (Max), he tipped me out of the boat (accidentally) into the
Croc infested waters. But; I lived to tell about it. Horrors cured once I got 200Km. south.
Be warned, you will need lots of 'moolah' to stay any time in these places. Fuel for vehicles
and your body will cost dearly. But, 'It's made round to go round'!!!!
Old fart - Grumpy. See you on the road
Thank you for your input!
We asked this question at happy hour this evening and a couple recommended Lorrella Springs near Borroloola, said they have returned over several years they love it so much and there is so much to see. It sounded wonderful, but its on dirt roads, and we've just had another little mishap after about 20k's of dirt road... so its not for us
Here's the link, it may interest those who are able to get there http://www.lorellasprings.com.au/
Gerty, a lot have replied since I said I would ask our hosts. They have said, it is a long way "out of the way" just to look at the place, there is a good camp site at King Ash Bay - about 30k dirt road, BUT again, it is a long way to go just for a good camp site. Borroloola is a 'community" town, good supermarket, restricted alcohol etc, but again, a long way to go just for a visit. They do not recommend it as a detour.
Our hosts also went to Lorella Springs while we were here. Beautiful place to camp, but you need 4WD for the property.....
Your call Gerty.
We're thinking we might have a go at getting to Normanton/Karumba, as we can then have a ride on the Gulflander and visit Croydon. The downside is we'd have to use the same road there and back. We just cant do a "Coastal around Australia Trip" without a visit to the Gulf
-- Edited by dING on Saturday 26th of July 2014 07:02:50 PM
Hello i havent been there but friends of mine were there this year and loved it, lots of fishing ,lots of fish ,
and loved the countryside.