:Normanton, Queensland

Normanton is in the Gulf Country region of northwest Queensland, just south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the Norman River in Queensland. It is a small cattle town and coastal locality, and administrative centre of the Shire of Carpentaria.{{cite QPN|43962|Normanton|town|access-date=5 July 2016}}{{cite QPN|44655|Normanton|locality|access-date=5 July 2016}}{{Cite book |last=Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland) |title=Heritage Trails of the Queensland Outback |publisher=State of Queensland |year=2002 |isbn=0-7345-1040-3 |pages=94 |author-link=Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland)}}

The main street is Landsborough Street.

An unusual feature {{convert|106|km}} southwest of Normanton is Bang Bang Jump Up, one of the few hills located in the middle of an expansive, flat grassland.{{cite web |title=Normanton > Attractions |url=http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Queensland/Gulf-Savannah/Normanton#tab=attractions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711203013/http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Queensland/Gulf-Savannah/Normanton#tab=attractions |archive-date=11 July 2017 |access-date=13 June 2017 |publisher=Explore Australia Publishing}}

The town sits in the traditional lands of the Gkuthaarn (Kareldi) and Kukatj people.{{cite web | last1=Gordon | first1=Krystal | first2=Marian | last2=Faa | title=Traditional owners granted native title rights in Gulf of Carpentaria | website=ABC News | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=30 September 2020 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-30/native-title-granted-to-traditional-owners-in-gulf-carpentaria/12714522 | access-date=10 October 2020 | archive-date=1 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001155900/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-30/native-title-granted-to-traditional-owners-in-gulf-carpentaria/12714522 | url-status=live }}

The town takes its name from the Norman River, which was named in honour of William Henry Norman of the Victorian Naval Forces, who commanded the sloop HMCS Victoria in the search for the explorers Burke and Wills and also conducted hydrographic surveys of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait to identify reefs and other marine hazards.

An expedition to explore the Norman River and Bynoe River leading to the identification of a new town site on the Norman River in May 1867.{{SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-normanton|title=Queensland Places - Normanton|date=24 July 2016|accessdate=5 July 2021|author(s)=Brian Randall}}{{cite news|date=29 June 1867|title=Burketown.|volume=XXII|page=6|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|issue=3,032|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1285517|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=5 July 2021|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711065825/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1285517|url-status=live}} The new town of Norman was surveyed by George Phillips in December 1867 and was officially gazetted on 8 August 1868.{{cite book|last=Cook|first=Penny|title=Discover Queensland Heritage|publisher=Pictorial Press Australia|year=2006|isbn=1876561424|location=Corinda, Queensland|page=18}} It was seen as an alternative to Burketown which had issues with fever and flooding. On 11 October 1868 the first land sale of 167 town lots of {{Convert|1/4 and 1/2|acre}} was held at the Norman Police Office.{{cite news|date=1 August 1868|title=Government Lands for Sale.|volume=III|page=11|newspaper=The Queenslander|issue=130|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20319833|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=5 July 2021|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711065835/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20319833|url-status=live}}

Norman River Post Office opened on 13 June 1868 and was renamed Normanton by 1872.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819033116/https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=qld&country=|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2008|title=Post Office List|last=Premier Postal History|publisher=Premier Postal Auctions|access-date=10 May 2014}}

Normanton State School opened in September 1882.{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=18 April 2019}} In January 1976 a secondary department was added to the school. The school celebrated its centenary in 1982.{{Citation|author1=O'Neill, Brian W|title=A unique school in the Gulf : a study of the influence of the pastoral and mining industries on education in the Gulf, with particular reference to Normanton / compiled by Brian W. O'Neill|publisher=W.J. & J.M. O'Neill|language=en|author2=Normanton State School}}

The Burns Philp store, a general mercantile store and agency office, was opened in 1884. It is the oldest intact Burns Philp store in Queensland.{{Cite news|author=Brian Williams|date=24 October 2011|title=Queensland's earliest surviving Burns Philp store at Normanton, Gulf of Carpentaria, to be heritage-listed|newspaper=The Courier-Mail|publisher=News Queensland|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/realestate/historic-gulf-store-to-be-heritage-listed/story-e6frequ6-1226174520223|url-status=live|access-date=11 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010052443/https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/historic-gulf-store-to-be-heritage-listed/news-story/14a4b22ede8c887cd6e6cbb7d9c73803?nk=64f12b7d6c8e520c5422003b2d26b610-1602307483|archive-date=10 October 2020}}

Normanton grew slowly until the discovery of gold at Croydon in 1885{{Cite web|date=2016-07-24|title=Queensland Places - Normanton {{!}} State Library Of Queensland|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-normanton|access-date=2021-05-19|website=www.slq.qld.gov.au|language=en|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517033657/https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-normanton|url-status=live}} provided a major boost, attracting people from a variety of cultures, including Chinese people drawn to the gold fields. Like other towns in the Gulf country Chinese men often supplied local vegetables from their market gardens. Some married locally to either white or indigenous women and many families were the result. Although Normanton appears to have had some "Chinese gardens" very early in its history with reference in 1873 to the "Chinese gardens, their houses, and live stock, have been swept away."{{cite news |title=The Queenslander |date=8 February 1873 |page=2}} According to historian Sandi Robb there were 6 families of mixed heritage in Normanton.{{cite book |last1=Robb |first1=Sandi |title=North Queensland's Chinese family landscape: 1860-1920 |date=2018 |publisher=PhD thesis, James Cook University |page=252}}

The town prosperity was assisted by the completion of the Normanton – Croydon railway in 1889 which saw Normanton becoming the acknowledged gateway to north-western Queensland. The new link was to bring both people and wealth to the area.File:Old Customs House, Normanton, ca. 1913.jpg

The population reached 1,251 by 1891.{{Cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Normanton/2005/02/17/1108500203650.html |title=Travel: Normanton |access-date=11 December 2012 |date=8 February 2004 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531073843/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Normanton/2005/02/17/1108500203650.html |archive-date=31 May 2014}} The gold boom at Croydon was short-lived and the completion of the Townsville – Cloncurry railway in 1908, reduced Normanton's relative importance as a centre. After the gold ran out and the mining industry grew to a halt in the early 1900s, pastoralism became the main industry of the region.{{cite web | title=The History | website=Southern Gulf Natural Resource Management | date=20 April 2016 | url=https://www.southerngulf.com.au/our-region/the-history/ | access-date=5 December 2020 | archive-date=24 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124211316/https://www.southerngulf.com.au/our-region/the-history/ | url-status=live }}

Some Aboriginal groups in the region were moved on to cattle stations to provide labour, while other groups were more or less extinguished. Many were moved to missions on Mornington Island and Doomadgee. Aboriginal camps were set up on the outskirts of the town, and the first Aboriginal reserve was gazetted in 1935; both were still in existence until at least 1976.

By 1947 the town's population had declined to 234.

In the 1960s there was a resurgence in Normanton's population as a gateway to the Gulf of Carpentaria with major industrial development taking place in the prawn fishing industry at nearby Karumba at the mouth of the Norman River.

File:War memorial, Normanton, 2019 04.jpg

In 1965, the Carpentaria Shire Council erected a war memorial in the centre of Landsborough Street opposite the National Hotel ({{Coord|-17.67022|141.07888|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton war memorial}}). It commemorates those who served in all conflicts.{{Cite web |title=Normanton War Memorial |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92186-normanton-war-memorial |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209231357/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92186-normanton-war-memorial |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Normanton War Memorial |url=https://www.qldwarmemorials.com.au/memorial?id=933 |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Queensland War Memorial Register |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209082800/https://www.qldwarmemorials.com.au/memorial?id=933 |url-status=live }}

Gulf Christian College was established on 24 January 1990 by the Normanton Assembly of God Church.{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}{{Cite web|title=Our History|url=https://www.gulfcc.qld.edu.au/discover-gcc/our-history/|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Gulf Christian College|language=en-AU|archive-date=6 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306212852/https://www.gulfcc.qld.edu.au/discover-gcc/our-history/|url-status=live}}

The Normanton library was opened in 2004.{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|page=12|access-date=15 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018}}

File:Normanton ANZAC Roll of Honour, 2019 06.jpg

The Normanton Anzac Roll of Honour was unveiled on Tuesday 13 June 2017, as part of the First World War centenary commemorations. It lists the names of the Anzacs (those who served in World War I) from the Carpentaria Shire. It is located on Landsborough Street opposite the war memorial ({{Coord|-17.670294|141.078925|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton ANZAC Roll of Honour}}).{{Cite web |title=ANZAC Roll of Honour |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww1/display/119856-anzac-roll-of-honour |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209020131/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww1/display/119856-anzac-roll-of-honour/ |url-status=live }}

{{further|Native title in Australia}}

After seeking rights since 1996, in November 2012 the traditional owners, the Gkuthaarn and Kukatj people, lodged a claim for native title over an area around Normanton stretching {{convert|16000|km2}}. On 2 July 2020 an Indigenous land use agreement was signed,{{cite web | title=QI2020/003 - Carpentaria Shire Council Gkuthaarn and Kukatj ILUA | website=National Native Title Tribunal. Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements Details | url=http://www.nntt.gov.au/searchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/ILUA_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=QI2020/003 | access-date=10 October 2020 | archive-date=12 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812031325/http://www.nntt.gov.au/searchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/ILUA_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=QI2020%2F003 | url-status=live }} and they were granted rights to fish, hunt and perform their ceremonies on the land. Pastoralists are still able to run cattle on the cattle stations in the area, and the Aboriginal people assist with management of the land (such as pest and weed control) and cultural heritage sites. They are already monitoring and counting of migratory seabirds, with many participating as Indigenous rangers in the Normanton Land and Sea Ranger Group. Some land in the southern part of the claimed area has been determined as "native title extinguished".{{cite web| title=QI2020/002 - Gkuthaarn and Kukatj People Tenure Resolution ILUA| website=National Native Title Tribunal. Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements Details| url=http://www.nntt.gov.au/searchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/ILUA_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=QI2020/002| access-date=10 October 2020| archive-date=12 August 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812025531/http://www.nntt.gov.au/searchRegApps/NativeTitleRegisters/Pages/ILUA_details.aspx?NNTT_Fileno=QI2020%2F002| url-status=live}}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town of Normanton had a population of 1,100 people, of whom 60% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.{{Census 2006 AUS |id=UCL344600 |name=Normanton (Urban Centre/Locality) |accessdate=3 May 2009 |quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Normanton had a population of 1,257 people, of whom 750 (60%) identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people,{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC32184|name=Normanton (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}} while the town of Normanton had a population of 1,210 people, of whom 743 (62%) identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=UCL321086 |name=Normanton (UCL)|accessdate=15 November 2017|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Normanton had a population of 1,391 people, of whom 774 (55.6%) identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32165|name=Normanton (SAL)|access-date=8 February 2023|quick=on}} The town of Normanton had a population of 1,326 people, of whom 766 (57.8%) identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=UCL321079|name=Normanton (UCL)|accessdate=8 February 2023|quick=on}}

File:Westpac bank building, Normanton, 2019 01.jpg

Normanton has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Burke and Wills Camp B/CXIX, Burke and Wills Access Road (Private Road){{cite QHR|16977|Burke and Wills' Camp B/CXIX and Walker's Camp, Little Bynoe River|602156|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Normanton Cemetery, Burke Developmental Road{{cite QHR|16894|Normanton Cemetery|601157|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Normanton Gaol, 27 Haigh Street{{cite QHR|16264|Normanton Gaol|601501|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Burns Philp Building, corner of Landsborough Street and Caroline Street{{cite QHR|22361|Burns Philp Building (former)|602781|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Westpac Bank Building, Landsborough Street{{cite QHR|15169|Westpac Bank, Normanton|600394|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Normanton railway station, Matilda Street{{cite QHR|15170|Normanton Railway Terminus|600395|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• Normanton to Croydon railway line, from Normanton to Croydon{{cite QHR|15171|Normanton to Croydon Railway Line|600396|access-date=7 July 2013}}

Normanton has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with two distinct seasons. There is a hot, humid and extremely uncomfortable wet season from December to March and a hot and generally rainless dry season usually extending from April to November. During the wet season most roads in the area are usually closed by heavy rainfall, which on several occasions has exceeded {{convert|650|mm|in|0}} in a month or {{convert|250|mm|in|0}} in a day from tropical cyclones. On occasions, as with all of Queensland, the wet season may fail and deliver as little as {{convert|240|mm|in|1}} between December 1934 and March 1935{{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=029041 |title=Monthly Rainfall - 029041 - Bureau of Meteorology | Normanton Post Office |publisher=bom.gov.au |access-date=4 September 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045417/http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_stn_num=029041 |url-status=live }}

Temperatures are uniformly hot, ranging from {{convert|36.8|C|F|0}} in November just before the wet season begins to {{convert|29|C|F|0}} at the height of the dry season in July. In the wet season, temperatures are marginally lower, but extremely high humidity means conditions are very uncomfortable and wet bulb temperatures averages {{convert|25|C|F}} and can reach {{convert|28|C|F}}. In the dry season, lower humidity, cloudless days and cool nights provides for more pleasant conditions.

{{Weather box

|location = Normanton Post Office, Queensland

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 43.1

|Feb record high C = 41.0

|Mar record high C = 40.1

|Apr record high C = 39.5

|May record high C = 37.2

|Jun record high C = 35.6

|Jul record high C = 35.6

|Aug record high C = 38.3

|Sep record high C = 40.1

|Oct record high C = 41.8

|Nov record high C = 43.3

|Dec record high C = 43.3

|year record high C = 43.3

|Jan high C = 34.7

|Feb high C = 33.9

|Mar high C = 34.2

|Apr high C = 34.0

|May high C = 31.7

|Jun high C = 29.2

|Jul high C = 29.1

|Aug high C = 31.1

|Sep high C = 33.9

|Oct high C = 35.9

|Nov high C = 36.8

|Dec high C = 36.1

|year high C = 33.4

|Jan low C = 25.1

|Feb low C = 24.9

|Mar low C = 24.4

|Apr low C = 22.4

|May low C = 19.1

|Jun low C = 16.1

|Jul low C = 15.2

|Aug low C = 16.5

|Sep low C = 19.5

|Oct low C = 22.6

|Nov low C = 24.7

|Dec low C = 25.3

|year low C = 21.3

|Jan record low C = 18.3

|Feb record low C = 17.3

|Mar record low C = 16.7

|Apr record low C = 14.4

|May record low C = 7.2

|Jun record low C = 6.7

|Jul record low C = 7.0

|Aug record low C = 6.6

|Sep record low C = 11.1

|Oct record low C = 13.7

|Nov record low C = 15.5

|Dec record low C = 18.9

|year record low C = 6.6

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 260.2

|Feb rain mm = 249.2

|Mar rain mm = 157.7

|Apr rain mm = 30.9

|May rain mm = 7.5

|Jun rain mm = 9.2

|Jul rain mm = 3.2

|Aug rain mm = 1.7

|Sep rain mm = 3.0

|Oct rain mm = 10.5

|Nov rain mm = 45.1

|Dec rain mm = 144.4

|Jan rain days = 13.9

|Feb rain days = 13.9

|Mar rain days = 9.4

|Apr rain days = 2.4

|May rain days = 0.9

|Jun rain days = 0.7

|Jul rain days = 0.5

|Aug rain days = 0.3

|Sep rain days = 0.4

|Oct rain days = 1.3

|Nov rain days = 4.4

|Dec rain days = 9.0

|unit rain days = 0.2 mm

|Jan humidity = 74

|Feb humidity = 78

|Mar humidity = 70

|Apr humidity = 57

|May humidity = 52

|Jun humidity = 52

|Jul humidity = 48

|Aug humidity = 44

|Sep humidity = 45

|Oct humidity = 49

|Nov humidity = 54

|Dec humidity = 65

|source 1 ={{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_029041_All.shtml |title=Climate statistics for Australian locations – Normanton Post Office (1872–2001) |publisher=bom.gov.au |access-date=4 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224036/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_029041_All.shtml |archive-date=23 September 2015}}

|date=December 2012}}

File:MuttonPanoWeb.jpg near Normanton, QLD Australia.]]

The major industry is cattle grazing with a number of homesteads in the locality, including:{{Cite web|date=18 November 2020|title=Homesteads - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/b27874c1-ccb9-463d-a26f-706abcc0ab79|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124212526/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/b27874c1-ccb9-463d-a26f-706abcc0ab79|archive-date=24 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

• Glenore ({{coord|-17.8525|141.1258|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Glenore (homestead)}})
• Inverleigh ({{coord|-18.0070|140.5653|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Inverleigh (homestead)}})
• Magowra ({{coord|-17.7789|140.8792|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Magowra (homestead)}})
• Milgarra ({{coord|-18.1857|140.8941|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Milgarra (homestead)}})
• Mutton Hole ({{coord|-17.6191|141.1862|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Mutton Hole (homestead)}})
• Shady Lagoon ({{coord|-17.7338|141.1022|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Shady Lagoon (homestead)}})

File:Big Barra Normanton.JPGTourism has recently become an important part of the economy of Normanton, with the Gulflander a significant draw-card.

Among Normanton's most notable features is a statue of an {{convert|8.64|m|adj=on}} long saltwater crocodile named Krys, the largest ever taken, which was shot by Krystina Pawlowska in July 1957 in the Norman River.{{cite web|date=25 November 2008|title=Death of a monster|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/death-of-a-monster/story-e6frg8gf-1111118162303|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424215351/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/death-of-a-monster/story-e6frg8gf-1111118162303|archive-date=24 April 2013|access-date=4 September 2015|work=The Australian}}{{cite web|date=3 October 2007|title=Image: 1.1318938577.krys-the-savannah-king.jpg, (550 × 413 px)|url=http://images.travelpod.com/users/travelnshit/1.1318938577.krys-the-savannah-king.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221185128/http://images.travelpod.com/users/travelnshit/1.1318938577.krys-the-savannah-king.jpg|archive-date=21 December 2015|access-date=4 September 2015|publisher=images.travelpod.com}}

"The Big Barramundi" was constructed in 1995. It is {{convert|6|m}} long.{{Cite news|title=Big Barramundi|newspaper=The Courier-Mail|publisher=News Queensland|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/travel/holiday-ideas/gallery-e6frer1f-1226026664472?page=1|url-status=live|access-date=11 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324141223/http://www.couriermail.com.au/travel/holiday-ideas/gallery-e6frer1f-1226026664472?page=1|archive-date=24 March 2012}}{{Cite web |last=Carlin |first=Katie |date=2021-12-07 |title=A guide to 30 of Australia's iconic Big Things |url=https://www.australiantraveller.com/australia/most-iconic-big-things-of-australia/ |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Australian Traveller |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209070011/https://www.australiantraveller.com/australia/most-iconic-big-things-of-australia/ |url-status=live }}

Barramundi and threadfin salmon can be caught in the river.{{Cite web|last=Groover|first=Gavin|date=31 January 2017|title=Carpentaria Barra and Sport Fishing Charters|url=http://www.carpentariabarra.com.au/fish-species/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202044230/http://www.carpentariabarra.com.au/fish-species/|archive-date=2 February 2017|access-date=30 January 2017|website=Carpentaria Barra and Sport Fishing Charters}}

There are a number of reminders of Normanton's history and development that visitors to the area are still able to see today.  These include the Normanton cemetery which dates from 1867, the railway station and the station building both dating from 1891, as well as the former Burns Philp & Co. store.{{Cite web|date=2016-07-24|title=Queensland Places - Normanton {{!}} State Library Of Queensland|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-normanton|access-date=2021-05-17|website=www.slq.qld.gov.au|language=en|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517033657/https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-normanton|url-status=live}}

Normanton railway station is a railway museum and the terminus for rides on the Gulflander ({{coord|-17.6728|141.0724|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton railway station}}).

The tourist information centre is located in the Burns Philp Building ({{coord|-17.6678|141.0813|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Tourist Information Centre}}).

File:Normanton State School, 2023 05.jpg

File:Normanton State School, 2023 03.jpg

Normanton State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep–10) school for boys and girls at 6–12 Little Brown Street ({{coord|-17.6720|141.0790|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton State School}}).{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|publisher=Queensland Government|accessdate=21 November 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archivedate=21 November 2018}}{{Cite web |date=2020-03-31 |title=Normanton State School |url=https://normantonss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Normanton State School |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709195150/https://normantonss.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 132 students with 23 teachers and 24 non-teaching staff (16 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|accessdate=28 January 2020|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|url-status=live}} It includes a special education program.

Gulf Christian College is a private primary and secondary (Prep–9) school for boys and girls at 24-30 Brown Street ({{coord|-17.6709|141.0798|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Gulf Christian College}}).{{cite web|title=Gulf Christian College|url=https://www.gulfcc.qld.edu.au|accessdate=21 November 2018|archive-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220101459/https://www.gulfcc.qld.edu.au/|url-status=live}} It offers Prep, Primary (1–6) and Middle (7–9) School education. In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 96 students with 9 teachers and 14 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent).

There is no secondary education to Year 12 available in or nearby Normanton.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=9 February 2023}} The options are distance education and boarding schools. Many of the students of Gulf Christian College attend Senior (10–12) School at Nambour Christian College.{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.gulfcc.qld.edu.au/|access-date=2021-07-05|website=Gulf Christian College|language=en-AU|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510195806/https://www.gulfcc.qld.edu.au/|url-status=live}}

TAFE Queensland operates a technical college campus in Normanton ({{coord|-17.6802|141.0745|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=TAFE technical college}}).{{Cite web|date=18 November 2020|title=Landmark Areas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121195536/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12|archive-date=21 November 2020|access-date=21 October 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

The Carpentaria Shire Council's offices are at 29–33 Haig Street ({{Coord|-17.66884|141.08019|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Carpentaria Shire Council officers}}). It also has offices in Karumba.{{Cite web |last= |title=Contact Information |url=https://www.carpentaria.qld.gov.au/contact-us/contact-information |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Carpentaria Shire Council |language=en |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206084220/https://www.carpentaria.qld.gov.au/contact-us/contact-information |url-status=live }}

Normanton Police Station is at 55 Haig Street ({{coord|-17.6688|141.0794|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Police Station}}).{{Cite web |date=18 November 2020 |title=Emergency services facilities - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124224500/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |title=Normanton Station |url=https://www.police.qld.gov.au/station/normanton-station |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709191118/https://www.police.qld.gov.au/station/normanton-station |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-05 |website=Queensland Police Service}}

Normanton Hospital is a public hospital on Hospital Road ({{coord|-17.6783|141.0865|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Public Hospital}}).

Normanton Fire Station is a rural fire station at 57 Thompson Street ({{coord|-17.6731|141.0793|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Fire Station}}).{{Cite web |title=Far Northern Region |url=https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/about/structure/regions/Pages/fnr.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128111520/https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/about/structure/regions/Pages/fnr.aspx |archive-date=2020-11-28 |access-date=2020-11-28 |website=Queensland Fire and Emergency Services}} The Normanton SES Facility ({{coord|-17.6729|141.0796|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton SES Facility}}) and the Normanton Ambulance Station are co-located with the fire station.

There are two cemeteries in Normanton:

• Normanton Cemetery on the Burke Developmental Road ({{coord|-17.6843|141.0637|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Cemetery}}){{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Cemetery Areas - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115100513/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}
• Aboriginal Burial Grounds off the Burke Developmental Road on the west bank of the Norman River ({{coord|-17.6714|141.0888|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Aboriginal Burial Grounds}}) which is not open to the public{{Cite web |last= |title=Aboriginal Burial Grounds |url=https://www.carpentaria.qld.gov.au/directory-record/82/aboriginal-burial-grounds?recordID=82 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182714/https://www.carpentaria.qld.gov.au/directory-record/82/aboriginal-burial-grounds?recordID=82 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-05 |website=Carpentaria Shire Council |language=en}}

Normanton Solar Farm ({{coord|-17.6809|141.0500|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Solar Farm}}) generates solar power to provide greater reliability to the town, which is supplied via long lines from distant power stations.{{Cite web |title=Normanton Solar Farm - Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) |url=https://arena.gov.au/projects/normanton-solar-farm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182645/https://arena.gov.au/projects/normanton-solar-farm/ |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-05 |website=Australian Renewable Energy Agency |language=en-AU}}

The Centrelink office for government payment and services is at 5 Old Croydon Road ({{coord|-17.6733|141.0738|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Centrelink}}).{{Cite web |date=17 November 2020 |title=Building points - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/buildings-queensland-series/resource/7f713bcb-e884-4edc-a292-9b6dfa955d71 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125050838/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/buildings-queensland-series/resource/7f713bcb-e884-4edc-a292-9b6dfa955d71 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |title=Normanton Shared Service Site |url=https://findus.servicesaustralia.gov.au/findnearest.asp?locationid=536553&submittopage=locatorprofile.asp&log=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182744/https://findus.servicesaustralia.gov.au/findnearest.asp?locationid=536553&submittopage=locatorprofile.asp&log=1 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-05 |website=Services Australia}}

File:Queensland Country Women's Association, Normanton, 2019.jpg

The Normanton branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms in Landsborough Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch locations|website=Queensland Country Women's Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=26 December 2018}}

Bynoe Hall is a public hall at 15 Balonne Street ({{coord|-17.6707|141.0742|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Bynoe Hall}}).

Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is at 26 Dutton Street ({{Coord|-17.6727|141.0742|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Our Lady Help of Christian Catholic church}}). It is within the Gulf Savannah Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.{{Cite web|title=Gulf Savannah Parish|url=http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/parishes/gulfsavannah.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118104932/http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/parishes/gulfsavannah.html|archive-date=2020-11-18|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns}}

The Aboriginal and Islander Christian Fellowship operates the Normanton Christian Centre at 46 Dutton Street ({{Coord|-17.6747|141.0760|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Christian Centre}}).{{Cite web|title=Normanton Christian Centre|url=https://aicf.net.au/index9802.html?portfolio=normanton-christian-centre|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Aboriginal & Islander Christian Fellowship|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302192750/http://aicf.net.au/index9802.html?portfolio=normanton-christian-centre}}

There is a boat ramp with a floating walkway and jetty on the south bank of the Norman River ({{coord|-17.6644|141.0871|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Landsborough Street boat ramp}}). It is managed by the Carpentaria Shire Council.{{Cite web|date=12 November 2020|title=Recreational Boating Facilities Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/recreational-boating-facilities-queensland/resource/60ce6cc3-af0c-4806-bc8c-ab0ee981819c|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122210008/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/recreational-boating-facilities-queensland/resource/60ce6cc3-af0c-4806-bc8c-ab0ee981819c|archive-date=22 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

Normanton public library and visitor information services are located in the historic Burns Philp Building at the corner of Caroline and Landsborough Streets.{{Cite web|title=Visitor Information Centres and Libraries|url=http://www.carpentaria.qld.gov.au/visitor-information-centres-libraries|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184638/http://www.carpentaria.qld.gov.au/visitor-information-centres-libraries|archive-date=15 January 2018|access-date=15 January 2018|website=Carpentaria Shire Council}}

There are a number of sporting facilities:

• Normanton Bowls Club ({{coord|-17.6748|141.0723|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Bowls Club}})
• Normanton Golf Club ({{coord|-17.6900|141.0607|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Golf Club}})
• Normanton Gun Club ({{coord|-17.7038|141.0890|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Gun Club}})
• Normanton Racecourse and Rodeo Ground ({{coord|-17.6938|141.0594|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Racecourse and Rodeo Ground}})
• Normanton Sport Centre ({{coord|-17.6750|141.0722|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Sports Centre}}){{Cite web|date=17 November 2020|title=Building areas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023081052/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f|archive-date=23 October 2020|access-date=17 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

File:Gulflander at Normanton.JPG, 2011]]

The Gulf Developmental Road, part of the Savannah Way tourist drive, commences {{convert|6|km}} south of the town.

The Gulflander passenger train operates weekly on a {{convert|151|km|adj=on|abbr=on}} remnant of the Normanton to Croydon historical railway. The Normanton railway station features a large steel frame with an open canopy to provide shade.

Normanton Airport is on Airport Road ({{coord|-17.6883|141.0717|type:airport_region:AU-QLD|name=Normanton Aerodrome}}).{{Cite web|date=22 October 2020|title=Airports - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/f5e72c21-4f70-4cca-a22e-f2265b85ee56|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115071531/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/f5e72c21-4f70-4cca-a22e-f2265b85ee56|archive-date=15 November 2020|access-date=3 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{cite web|title=Normanton|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/normanton|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305060456/http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/normanton|archive-date=5 March 2011|access-date=17 January 2011|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland}} There are services from Normanton to destinations including Cairns, Burketown, Doomadgee and Mount Isa.

There are a number of airstrips within the locality at:

• Magowra homestead ({{coord|-17.7828|140.8771|type:airport_region:AU-QLD|name=Magowra homestead airstrip}}){{Cite web|date=22 October 2020|title=Heliports and landing grounds - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/1646c12e-0c31-42d3-a156-9891b01e938a|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116140611/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/1646c12e-0c31-42d3-a156-9891b01e938a|archive-date=16 November 2020|access-date=3 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• Mutton Hole homestead ({{coord|-17.6240|141.1859|type:airport_region:AU-QLD|name=Mutton Hole homestead airstrip}})
• Inverleigh East homestead ({{coord|-18.0050|140.5365|type:airport_region:AU-QLD|name=Inverleigh East airstrip}})
• Sawtell Creek Station ({{coord|-17.8630|141.1168|type:airport_region:AU-QLD|name=Sawtell Creek Station airstrip}})

{{Portal|Queensland}}

• Normanton Airport

{{Clear}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web|title=Normanton|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/normanton|website=Queensland Places|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland}}
• {{cite web|date=1983|title=Town map of Normanton|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-normanton-1983.jpg|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Normanton (Queensland) |volume=19|page=765|short=x}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060820131650/http://www.carpentaria.qld.gov.au/visitors/Normanton.shtml Normanton page from Carpentaria Shire Council website]
• [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma996935554702061 Annual reports Normanton Hospitals Board], State Library of Queensland
• [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/dls06p/alma99183873816602061 At our table: Normanton digital story], State Library of Queensland

{{Shire of Carpentaria}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:North West Queensland

Category:Gulf of Carpentaria

Category:Populated places established in 1867

Category:Shire of Carpentaria

Category:1867 establishments in Australia

Category:Localities in Queensland