Karumba, Queensland

Last updated

Karumba
Queensland
Karumba-beach-gulf-savannah-queensland-australia.jpg
Karumba Beach Gulf Savannah
Australia Queensland location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Karumba
Coordinates 17°29′02″S140°50′23″E / 17.4838°S 140.8397°E / -17.4838; 140.8397 (Karumba (town centre))
Population487 (2021 census) [1]
 • Density3.560/km2 (9.220/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4891
Elevation2 m (7 ft) [2]
Area136.8 km2 (52.8 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s) Shire of Carpentaria
State electorate(s) Traeger
Federal division(s) Kennedy
Mean max tempMean min tempAnnual rainfall
30.7 °C
87 °F		20.1 °C
68 °F		889.8 mm
35 in
Localities around Karumba:
Gulf of Carpentaria Gulf of Carpentaria Howitt
Gulf of Carpentaria Karumba Howitt
Normanton Normanton Normanton

Karumba is a town and a coastal locality in the Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. [3] [4] In the 2021 census, the locality of Karumba had a population of 487 people. [1]

Contents

Geography

Karumba is in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, 71 kilometres (44 mi) by road from Normanton and 2,159 kilometres (1,342 mi) 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.

Sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria at Karumba Beach, 2019.jpg

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. [5]

Karumba Airport is on Fielding Street. There are no regular commercial services from this airport; the nearest regular services are available at Normanton Airport. [6]

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. [7]

The settlement was originally known as Norman Mouth and Kimberley. [8] The toponym, Kurumba, derives from the Aboriginal name for the area. [9] That name was being used for the township officially by the 1880s. [8]

Karumba Post Office opened on 22 August 1889 and closed in 1919. [10]

Given its access to the Gulf of Carpentaria, the town's economy has revolved largely around fishing. The prawn industry expanded in the 1960s. [8]

In the late 1930s, the town was a refuelling and maintenance stop for the flying boats of Qantas Empire Airways. [8] No. 43 Squadron of the RAAF also operated Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats from the town between June 1943 and April 1944. [11]

Karumba State School, circa 1970 Karumba State School, circa 1970.jpg
Karumba State School, circa 1970

Karumba State School opened in September 1968. [12] [13]

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 625,000 square kilometres (241,000 sq mi) with a population of less than 10,000 people. [14] [15] [16]

Karumba Public Library was opened in 1979. [17]

The region is referred to in the song "Every Passing Day" by the Australian band Goanna, on their album Oceania . [18]

The Red Hot Chili Peppers' song "Animal Bar", from their 2006 album Stadium Arcadium is about Karumba, and refers to a local bar. [19]

Demographics

In the 2006 census, the town of Karumba had a population of 518 people. [20]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Karumba had a population of 531 people. [21]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Karumba had a population of 487 people. [1]

Economy

The Karumba port services the Century Zinc Mine as well as the fishing industry.

Les Wilson Barramundi Hatchery is the world's only breeder of the Southern Gulf barramundi. [22]

The prawning industry makes an important economic contribution to the town. [23]

Education

Karumba State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 5 Yappar Street ( 17°28′58″S140°50′25″E / 17.4829°S 140.8403°E / -17.4829; 140.8403 (Karumba State School) ). [24] [25] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 28 students with 3 teachers and 7 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent). [26]

There are no secondary schools in Karumba. The nearest government secondary school is Normanton State School (to Year 10) in neighbouring Normanton to the south. There are no schools offering secondary education to Year 12 in Karumba or nearby; the options are distance education or boarding school. [27]

Amenities

Karumba has a public library in Walker Street, visitor information centre, parks, bowls club, golf course, swimming pool, and a sports centre. [28] [29]

The Carpentaria Shire Council operates a public library at Walker Street. [30]

St James' and St John's Community Church at 59 Yappar Street is shared by the Anglican, Catholic and Uniting congregations. It is within the Gulf Savannah Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns. [31]

Regular services by the Uniting Church in Australia are held in the Community Church. These are provided by the McKay Patrol, an aerial service of the Uniting Church in Australia 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 625,000 square kilometres (241,000 sq mi) with a population of less than 10,000 people. [14] [15] [16]

Attractions

Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre at 149 Yappar Street ( 17°30′09″S140°49′34″E / 17.5025°S 140.8262°E / -17.5025; 140.8262 (Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre & Hatchery) ) is a tourist attraction providing interactive experiences to learn about barramundi at a working barramundi hatchery. [22]

Climate

Karumba has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with two distinct seasons. The "Wet" usually lasts from December to March and is hot and humid, with wet bulb temperatures typically above 27 °C or 80.6 °F during the afternoons. Most roads during the "Wet" are usually closed by heavy rain, which can exceed 250 millimetres or 9.84 inches in a day due to the passage of tropical cyclones or monsoonal depressions which provide most of the rain. On occasions, however, as with all of Queensland the wet season may fail almost completely and produce less than 350 millimetres (13.78 in) in a full season.

The "Dry" usually lasts from April to the middle of November and is much more comfortable due to lower humidity and milder morning temperatures. This period of the year is essentially bone dry and almost completely cloudless: median rainfall is nil between May and September and over twenty days each month are completely clear.

Climate data for Karumba, Queensland (1938-2012)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)39.8
(103.6)		37.6
(99.7)		38.4
(101.1)		38.9
(102.0)		34.5
(94.1)		32.8
(91.0)		32.4
(90.3)		35.4
(95.7)		36.9
(98.4)		40.4
(104.7)		40.7
(105.3)		41.3
(106.3)		41.3
(106.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)32.1
(89.8)		31.7
(89.1)		32.5
(90.5)		32.6
(90.7)		29.8
(85.6)		27.9
(82.2)		27.5
(81.5)		28.6
(83.5)		29.9
(85.8)		31.3
(88.3)		32.6
(90.7)		32.4
(90.3)		30.7
(87.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)24.4
(75.9)		24.1
(75.4)		23.2
(73.8)		20.7
(69.3)		17.2
(63.0)		15.2
(59.4)		14.0
(57.2)		15.2
(59.4)		18.2
(64.8)		21.0
(69.8)		23.3
(73.9)		24.4
(75.9)		20.1
(68.2)
Record low °C (°F)19.6
(67.3)		18.3
(64.9)		18.0
(64.4)		13.6
(56.5)		8.0
(46.4)		6.9
(44.4)		6.1
(43.0)		5.3
(41.5)		10.6
(51.1)		12.2
(54.0)		17.8
(64.0)		17.9
(64.2)		5.3
(41.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches)231.0
(9.09)		260.3
(10.25)		156.6
(6.17)		30.3
(1.19)		1.0
(0.04)		8.5
(0.33)		7.1
(0.28)		2.0
(0.08)		1.6
(0.06)		7.3
(0.29)		45.5
(1.79)		142.1
(5.59)		893.3
(35.16)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)12.714.79.32.80.41.00.60.40.40.94.28.956.3
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloncurry, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Cloncurry is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia. It is informally known by local people as The Curry. Cloncurry is the administrative centre of the Shire of Cloncurry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Normanton, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Normanton is an outback town and coastal locality in the Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. At the 2021 census, the locality of Normanton had a population of 1,391 people, and the town of Normanton had a population of 1,326 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croydon, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Croydon is an outback town and locality within the Shire of Croydon in Queensland, Australia. It is a terminus for the Normanton to Croydon railway line, which operates the Gulflander tourist train. In the 2021 census, the locality of Croydon had a population of 215 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norman River</span> River in Queensland, Australia

The Norman River is a river in the Gulf Country, Queensland, Australia. The river originates in the Gregory Range, 200 kilometres (120 mi) southeast of Croydon and flows 420 kilometres (260 mi) northwest to the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is joined by three major tributaries, the Carron, Clara and Yappar Rivers. The river flows through Normanton before entering the Gulf of Carpentaria through the major fishing port of Karumba. The mouth of the river lies in the Gulf Plains Important Bird Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borroloola</span> Town in the Northern Territory, Australia

Borroloola is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located on the McArthur River, about 50 km (31 mi) upstream from the Gulf of Carpentaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julia Creek, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Julia Creek is an outback town and locality in the Shire of Mckinlay, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Julia Creek had a population of 549 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kowanyama, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Kowanyama is a town and coastal locality in the Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama, Queensland, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pormpuraaw, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Pormpuraaw is a coastal town and a locality in the Aboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw, Queensland, Australia. Pormpuraaw is an Aboriginal community situated on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula approximately halfway between Karumba and Weipa on the Edward River. It is 650 kilometres (400 mi) by road from Cairns. Pormpuraaw currently has a 4-man police station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burketown</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Burketown is an isolated outback town and coastal locality in the Shire of Burke, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Burketown had a population of 204 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shire of Cloncurry</span> Local government area in Queensland, Australia

The Shire of Cloncurry is a local government area in North West Queensland, Australia. It covers an area of 47,971 square kilometres (18,521.7 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1884. The major town and administrative centre of the shire is Cloncurry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shire of Carpentaria</span> Local government area in Queensland, Australia

The Shire of Carpentaria is a local government area in Far North Queensland, Australia on the Gulf of Carpentaria, for which it is named.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shire of Burke</span> Local government area in Queensland, Australia

The Shire of Burke is a local government area in North West Queensland, Australia. The shire lies on the south coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria and abuts the border with the Northern Territory. It covers an area of 39,864 square kilometres (15,391.6 sq mi), and has existed as a local government entity since 1885. The major town and administrative centre of the shire is Burketown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulf Country</span> Queensland region

The Gulf Country or North West Queensland is the region of woodland and savanna grassland surrounding the Gulf of Carpentaria in north western Queensland and eastern Northern Territory on the north coast of Australia. The region is also called the Gulf Savannah. The Gulf Country is crossed by the Savannah Way highway.

Gununa, sometimes spelt Gunana, is a rural town on Mornington Island within the locality of Wellesley Islands in the Shire of Mornington, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the town of Gununa had a population of 1,022 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McKinlay, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

McKinlay is an outback town and locality in McKinlay Shire, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of McKinlay had a population of 162 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawn Hill, Queensland</span> Suburb of Shire of Burke, Queensland, Australia

Lawn Hill is an outback locality split between the Shire of Burke and the City of Mount Isa in Queensland, Australia. The locality is on the Queensland border with the Northern Territory. In the 2021 census, Lawn Hill had a population of 63 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burns Philp Building, Normanton</span> Former warehouse in Queensland, Australia

Burns Philp Building is a heritage-listed former warehouse at the corner of Landsborough Street and Caroline Street, Normanton, Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. It was built by Andrew Murphie. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 14 October 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carpentaria, Queensland</span> Suburb of Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia

Carpentaria is a coastal locality in the Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Carpentaria had a population of 25 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howitt, Queensland</span> Suburb of Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia

Howitt is a coastal locality in the Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Howitt had a population of 48 people.

Yagoonya is a coastal locality in the Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Yagoonya had a population of 20 people.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Karumba (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. ↑ Bureau of Meteorology Archived 26 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved on 5 July 2008
  3. ↑ "Karumba – town in Shire of Carpentaria (entry 17782)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  4. ↑ "Karumba – locality in Shire of Carpentaria (entry 42910)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  5. ↑ Dick, Callum (21 August 2019). "Sunset at Karumba Point reveals hidden beauty of travel". Sunshine Coast Daily . Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  6. ↑ "Airports". Carpentaria Shire Council . Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  7. ↑ "Exploring the Rich History of Karumba". Karumba Point Sunset Caravan Park. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland) (2002). Heritage Trails of the Queensland Outback. State of Queensland. p. 97. ISBN   0-7345-1040-3.
  9. ↑ Norman Tindale,Aboriginal Tribes of Australia: Their Terrain, Environmental Controls, Distribution, Limits, and Proper Names, Australian National University 1974 p.174.
  10. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "No. 43 Squadron". RAAF Museum Point Cook. Royal Australian Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  12. ↑ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government . Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  13. ↑ "History". Karumba State School. 3 February 2020. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Find a Church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  15. 1 2 "About the McKay Patrol". McKay Patrol. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  16. 1 2 "About MJZ". McKay Patrol. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  17. ↑ "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. November 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  18. ↑ "Goanna - Every Passing Day". 19 July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018– via YouTube.
  19. ↑ "Animal Bar, Karumba Lodge". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  20. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Karumba (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  21. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Karumba (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  22. 1 2 "Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre & Hatchery Karumba". Outback Queensland. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  23. ↑ "Travel: Normanton". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 8 February 2004. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  24. ↑ "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  25. ↑ "Karumba State School". Karumba State School. 3 February 2020. Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  26. ↑ "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  27. ↑ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland . Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  28. ↑ "Karumba Library". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  29. ↑ "Karumba". Karumba Progress Association. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  30. ↑ "Karumba Library". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  31. ↑ "Gulf Savannah Parish". Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns . Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  32. ↑ "Climate Statistics for Karumba, Queensland". Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.