Has anybody been to Boroloola and Karumba???

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Has anybody been to Boroloola and Karumba???

Dougwe · Chief one feather

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 · Guru

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.

2010 trip pics - disc from new camera 068.jpg

-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 24th of July 2014 09:42:24 PM

The Phantom · Guru

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 · Chief one feather

Hey Vic you are about to eaten by a croc mate, RUN.

Sorry to digress GD. Normally don't do that disbelief smile

Patto44 · Senior Member

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 · Guru

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! biggrin

Normanton also has camping on the banks of the Normanton River, permits etc from the Normanton Info Centre....Yeoeleven stayed there during his visit. smile 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

Wizardofoz · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

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 · Member

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 · Senior Member

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 · Guru

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 · Guru

Thank you for your input! smile

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 cry

Here's the link, it may interest those who are able to get there http://www.lorellasprings.com.au/

Dunmowin · Guru

Dunmowin wrote:
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 · Guru

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 · Senior Member

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

glassies · Guru

Fabulous spot for ctabbing and fishing

cleo · Newbie

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.