Normanton, Queensland

Normanton Queensland
Entry into Normanton
Normanton
Coordinates	17°40′0″S 141°04′0″E / 17.66667°S 141.06667°E / -17.66667; 141.06667Coordinates: 17°40′0″S 141°04′0″E / 17.66667°S 141.06667°E / -17.66667; 141.06667
Population	1,468 (2011 census)
Established	1867
Postcode(s)	4890
Location	2,088 km (1,297 mi) NW of Brisbane 689 km (428 mi) W of Cairns 227 km (141 mi) E of Burketown 157 km (98 mi) W of Croydon
LGA(s)	Shire of Carpentaria
State electorate(s)	Mount Isa
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 33.4 °C 92 °F 21.3 °C 70 °F 921.7 mm 36.3 in
Localities around Normanton: Gulf of Carpentaria Karumba Howitt Karron Carpentaria Normanton Blackbull Stokes Stokes Claraville

Normanton is a small cattle town and locality in the Shire of Carpentaria in Queensland, Australia. In the 2011 census, Normanton had a population of 1,468 people of whom 696 were Indigenous Australians.

The town is one terminus of the isolated Normanton to Croydon railway line, which was built during gold rush days in the 1890s. The Gulflander motor train operates once a week.

Normanton is the administrative centre of Shire of Carpentaria. Among Normanton's most notable features is a statue of an 8.64 m long saltwater crocodile named Krys, the largest ever taken, which was shot by Krystina Pawlowska in July 1957 in the Norman River.Barramundi and Threadfin Salmon may also be caught in the river. The Big Barramundi, which is 6 m long is also located in the town.

Normanton is in the Gulf Country region of northwest Queensland, just south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the Norman River.

The site for the town was selected because Burketown was abandoned owing to fever and flooding. Settlers moved into the town in 1867. Normanton attracted people from a variety of cultures, including Chinese drawn to the gold fields. The population reached 1,251 by 1891. The gold boom was short-lived. By 1947 the town's population had declined to 234. Norman River Post Office opened on 13 June 1868 and was renamed Normanton by 1872.

In the early years there was a large Aboriginal population as well. Some Aboriginal people were moved to Mornington Island and Doomadgee in the early 20th century.