Karumba

History

Before European colonisation and expropriation, the Karumba region had been inhabited for thousands of years by the Gangalidda and Waanyi peoples, who are the traditional custodians of the land. They relied on the rich marine resources and fertile coastal plains for sustenance. The settlement was originally known as Norman Mouth and Kimberley. The toponym, Kurumba, derives from the Aboriginal name for the area. That name was being used for the township officially by the 1880s. Given its access to the Gulf of Carpentaria, the town's economy has revolved largely around fishing. The prawn industry expanded in the 1960s. Karumba State School opened in September 1968. Regular services by the Uniting Church in Australia are held in the Community Church. They are provided by the McKay Patrol, an aerial service of the Uniting Church that operates out of Cloncurry. Supported by other denominations, the McKay Patrol operates a Cessna 182Q aeroplane to provide spiritual and practical help to people living in remote areas in the north-west of Queensland and the Eastern Tablelands of the Northern Territory, an area of approximately with a population of less than 10,000 people. The region is referred to in the song "Every Passing Day" by the Australian band Goanna, on their album Oceania. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' song "Animal Bar", from their 2006 album Stadium Arcadium is about Karumba, and refers to a local bar.

Geography

Karumba is in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, by road from Normanton and from the state capital, Brisbane. Karumba is within the Shire of Carpentaria, the administrative headquarters of which is in Normanton. 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). The rare Morning Glory cloud rolls through Karumba in the early hours of some mornings in September and October. Karumba Point Beach is the only beach in the region that is accessible by bitumen road, and is renowned for its sunset views over the Gulf of Carpentaria. The port at Karumba is around the mouth of the Norman River where it enters the Gulf of Carpentaria (approx ). Most of the wharves are located in the Norman River at the town of Karumba. The port is used for the export of minerals, seafood, and cattle and for the import of goods needed by local communities, including those on Mornington Island. It is operated by Ports North, headquartered in Cairns. Karumba Airport is on Fielding Street. There are no regular commercial services from this airport; the nearest regular services are available at Normanton Airport.

Most-observed species

• Black Kite

  Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  604
• Whistling Kite

  Haliastur sphenurus (Vieillot, 1818) · Aves
  593
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  493
• Peaceful Dove

  Geopelia placida Gould, 1844 · Aves
  429
• Bar-shouldered Dove

  Geopelia humeralis (Temminck, 1821) · Aves
  397
• brolga

  Grus rubicunda (Perry, 1810) · Aves
  384
• Australian Ibis

  Threskiornis molucca (Cuvier, 1829) · Aves
  353
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  330