Discover Carpentaria

Discover Carpentaria Discover the ways to 'Discover Carpentaria', where the Outback meets the Sea and home to some of Aus This is gulf country, and it’s yours to discover.

About our region
WELCOME TO THE OUTBACK BY THE SEA
Imagine waking up to a sunrise over the majestic diversity of the outback landscape, feeling the power of an iconic barramundi on the end of your line, hearing the crisp ‘snap’ of a mud crab shell breaking open after a long day hauling pots, before cosying up to a fire under the luminescent stars of the milky way. A land of drought and flooding ra

ins
The Carpentaria Shire represents a majestic union of two disparate worlds - where the Outback’s red dirt, black soil plains, hard ridges, outcrops and fine

Savannah soils meet wetlands, mangroves, saltpans, and the open ocean. In these parts, Mother Nature reigns supreme. Discover the rustic towns of Normanton and Karumba filled with artful treasures and rich history. Spend your days exploring rivers and coastlines including the internationally renowned fishing destination Sweers Island and sample the culinary delights of wild-caught barramundi. This is the place for nomads and fishermen to connect, exchange stories and celebrate the untouched beauty of the top end. To see the gulf in full swing, time your visit with one of the events in the enclosed calendar – whether it be the Outback by the Sea Festival, Normanton Rodeo, Annual Horse Racing Carnival or Fishing Classics. What are you waiting for? Come and explore the Outback by the Sea and find your piece of paradise. Weather
The Carpentaria Shire is lucky enough to have warm weather all year round. It’s a location in the tropics means the destination experiences large amounts of rainfall in the summer months. During the wet season (between November and April), monsoonal showers may cause roads and access points to flood. GOING WITH THE FLOW – ONLY ONE TIDE A DAY
Here in the Gulf of Carpentaria we only have one high and one low tide a day. This is because it takes 12 hours for a water wave to move across the Gulf of Carpentaria from east to west – and another 12 hours to ‘bounce off’ and come back. This 12-hour period is (coincidentally) the same as the time between two high tides (or two low tides). In the Gulf, the incoming tide ‘cancel out’ the outgoing tide. Except for the most energetic tides, that occur once a day. This tidal regime is also observed in the Gulf of Thailand, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Mexico.

29/07/2026

🎶 Outback By The Sea Festival Concert
📅 Saturday, 3 October See less

19/06/2026
Save the Date!The Outback by the Sea Festival is back in 2026!The festival features the Outback by the Sea Film Festival...
18/02/2026

Save the Date!
The Outback by the Sea Festival is back in 2026!
The festival features the Outback by the Sea Film Festival, a full week of activities for the whole community and wraps up with the Concert.
📅 September 26 – October 4, 2026

OUTBACK BY THE SEA MERCH Get your festival gear! 🎶🌊🛍 On sale now at the Normanton Library🎟 Available at the gate Friday ...
11/09/2025

OUTBACK BY THE SEA MERCH
Get your festival gear! 🎶🌊

🛍 On sale now at the Normanton Library
🎟 Available at the gate Friday & Saturday

Dinner is sorted this weekend!BBQ Brothers, Ride on Pizzeria and Gulf Food Wagon will be serving up delicious meals.🎬 Fr...
11/09/2025

Dinner is sorted this weekend!

BBQ Brothers, Ride on Pizzeria and Gulf Food Wagon will be serving up delicious meals.

🎬 Friday evening – at the Film Festival
🎶 Saturday evening – at the Concert

09/09/2025

🌊🎬🎶 Outback By The Sea Festival!

🌐 discovercarpentaria.com.au/Events/Outback-by-the-Sea-Festival-2025

Outback By The Sea Festival Workshops-🏃🏃‍ Karumba State School Colour Fun Run Join Karumba State School with an exciting...
08/09/2025

Outback By The Sea Festival Workshops

-

🏃🏃‍ Karumba State School Colour Fun Run
Join Karumba State School with an exciting and colourful fun run that's suitable for all ages. Saturday 13th September 2025 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the Karumba State School

-

🎨 Arts & Craft with Morning Tea
Arts & Craft at the VIC/Library. Morning tea will be provided Saturday 13th September 2025 from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the Normanton VIC/Library.

-

🍦🦐 Ice Cream Eating & Prawn Peeling Competition with Mark & Yvonne
Learn the art of Prawn Peeling with Yvonne and Mark and the kids to have their own ice cream eating competition. Whether you're a skilled peeler or looking to learn a few tricks of the trades with the locals. Mark & Yvonne will guide you through the process of prawn peeling and the kids will get to showcase their ice cream eating skills. Monday 15 September 5.00pm to 6:00pm at Ash's in Karumba.

-

🦀 Mud Crabs Direct
Life cycle catching, tying and cooking.
Get up close and personal with one of the most iconic creatures, the old Gulf mud crab. The interactive workshop will teach you everything you need to know about the fascinating life cycle of mud crabs, as well as practical skills for catching, tying, and cooking them.
* Saturday 13 September 10am to 10:45am
* Monday 15 September 10am to 10:45am

-

🎬 Filmmaking Workshop
Come along and learn how to make your own short film, hear from the experts including Australian actor Steve Bastoni and get inspired.
For more information, please visit www.ooff.com.au
Sunday 14th September, FREE EVENT, 10am - 2pm
Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre, Karumba

-

📥 Check out the full program here: https://www.discovercarpentaria.com.au/Events/Outback-by-the-Sea-Festival-2025

Address

29-33 Haig Street
Normanton, QLD
4890

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61747478444

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Discover Carpentaria posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share