July 2014
Welcome to Normanton “Outback by the sea” says the sign. The slogan pretty well sums it up although the sea is the Gulf of Carpentaria 70kms away at the mouth of the Norman River. It is very much an outback town. The streets are long and wide and there are a couple of scattered shops. We eventually discover three stores that sell supplies and a butcher, there is no baker. Poor Woody misses out again. The caravan park is basic and very tight, about 20cms shy of the narrowest sites we’ve experienced in Bowen. But there is a huge shaded swimming pool and that is the most important thing in this heat.
Being on the navigable Norman River this town was once the trading hub for the gold mining town of Croydon in the gold rush days. At the far end of town there stands an old Burns Philp warehouse. It is now the local visitors centre and museum but best of all most of the building has been left in its original condition to give one the feel of how it was way back then.
There are three hotels in town the most noticeable being the Purple Pub yes, it is painted purple. It was moved (or probably dragged) from Croydon after the gold rush. Which would have been a huge task as it is a very large two storey building. I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost a few nails on the way as it looks somewhat rickety.
In pride of place in the main street is a replica of the largest crocodile ever shot in these parts. It was named Krys after the woman who shot it and is 28ft 4inches. Talk about ladies who shoot their lunch!
Where’s the pic of the museum?! 😄
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Well that was the Burns Philp warehouse.
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Yep I understand but which is the building, I can only see the purple pub, am I being dense, it is quite possible 😄
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The cream coloured one.
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The one on the left? I’ll get there eventually 🙄
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Damn, my fault I didn’t put that picture up! Coming soon to a screen near you.
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Haha to hank goodness, thought I’d lost a few more brain cells 😄
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I just hope that I’m not the only person who gets excited about old wooden warehouses.
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Rock on Krys! Now that IS a lady who lunches… I know that there is a bit of a legend about London Bridge but I am presuming that the Purple Pub was not dragged from Croydon in Surrey? I ask only because my friend used to live on Normanton Avenue in Croydon, Surrey!
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I guess that ours were named by yet another thirsty, homesick and sunburned Brit!
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I didn’t realise Oz had a Normanton. It’s not a bit like Normanton, West Yorkshire England. No Purple Pub, and nothing like Croydon Surrey. We do have a German and a Polish supermarket and one run by the American company Wal-Mart.
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And I’ll bet yours don’t have crocodiles. 😉
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