Karumba, Queensland

Karumba is a town in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, Australia, 71 kilometres (44 mi) by road from Normanton and 2,159 kilometres (1,342 mi) from the state capital, Brisbane. The settlement was previously known as Norman Mouth and Kimberley. Karumba was used by the local aborigines to describe the place. This name was officially used for the township by the 1880s.

Contents

• Map of Karumba QLD 4891 Australia
• History
• Facilities
• Climate
• References

Map of Karumba QLD 4891, Australia

Karumba forms part of Carpentaria Shire Council, the administrative headquarters of which is in Normanton. At the 2006 census, Karumba had a population of 518.

The town is sited at the mouth of the Norman River, and enjoys the distinction of being the only town along the southern Gulf of Carpentaria that is within sight of the Gulf itself (the Gulf's extensive tidal flats prohibits settlement elsewhere along its shore). As such, the town's economy revolves largely around fishing. The Karumba port services the Century Zinc Mine as well as fishing. The prawn industry expanded in the 1960s.

The rare Morning Glory cloud rolls through Karumba in the early hours of some mornings in September and October.

In the late 1930s the town was a refueling and maintenance stop for the flying boats of the Qantas Empire Airways.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers song Animal Bar from their 2006 album Stadium Arcadium is about Karumba. It is named after a bar called the Animal Bar.