Karumba, Queensland

Karumba Queensland
Karumba Beach Gulf Savannah
Karumba
Coordinates	17°29′S 140°50′E / 17.483°S 140.833°E / -17.483; 140.833Coordinates: 17°29′S 140°50′E / 17.483°S 140.833°E / -17.483; 140.833
Population	518 (2006 census)
Postcode(s)	4891
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Location	2,159 km (1,342 mi) NW of Brisbane 756 km (470 mi) W of Cairns 570 km (354 mi) N of Mount Isa 71 km (44 mi) NW of Normanton
LGA(s)	Shire of Carpentaria
State electorate(s)	Mount Isa
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 30.7 °C 87 °F 20.1 °C 68 °F 889.8 mm 35 in

Karumba is a town in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, Australia, 71 kilometres (44 mi) by road from Normanton and 2,159 kilometres (1,342 mi) from the state capital, Brisbane. The settlement was previously known as Norman Mouth and Kimberley. Karumba was used by the local aborigines to describe the place. This name was officially used for the township by the 1880s.

Karumba forms part of Carpentaria Shire Council, the administrative headquarters of which is in Normanton. At the 2006 census, Karumba had a population of 518.

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). As such, the town's economy revolves largely around fishing. The Karumba port services the Century Zinc Mine as well as fishing. The prawn industry expanded in the 1960s.

The rare Morning Glory cloud rolls through Karumba in the early hours of some mornings in September and October.

In the late 1930s the town was a refueling and maintenance stop for the flying boats of the Qantas Empire Airways.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers song Animal Bar from their 2006 album Stadium Arcadium is about Karumba. It is named after a bar called the Animal Bar.

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

Karumba State School opened in September 1968.

Karumba has a public library, visitor information centre, parks, bowls club, golf course, swimming pool, and a sports centre.

Karumba has a tropical climate with warm, wet summers and mild, dry winters.