The Gulflander Towns of Croydon and Normanton

The next section of road would take us through towns with historical links to the well known  Gulflander train.

Our first stop after leaving Georgetown was Croydon. A town that has done a great job at preserving their history and opening it up to share with visitors for free. 

First stop was the True Blue Tourist Information centre which had a mining display outside, a film on the local history and a wonderful mix of intetesting history display boards.

The town had a historical precinct with a series of restored buildings and two original street lamps with replicas to complete the scene. There was the Police Station and Residence, Court House, Town Hall, all built between 1887 and 1897.

The court house was complete with recorded trials with labeled board participants.

The Ten Head Stamper Mill used for gold was in a display of mining machinery outside the council chambers. While the old telephone exchange was part of a display in the old court house.

The town was the terminus for the Gulflander train and outside the restored train station, still in use, was this restored train.

A short drive out of town took us to a viewpoint from which we could look back over town. It also led to Lake Belmore where we stopped for lunch. We were unable to swim as the water was too low.

Our last stop on the drive back into town was the Croydon Chinese Temple Archaeological Dig precinct, a reminder of the part the Chinese played in the towns of the goldrush era. Below is a photo of a ... and the site of the Chinese temple. There were quite a few different sites with story/information boards.

Our stop for the night was at Black Bull Siding where the Gulflander train stops on Wednesdays and Thursdays for morning tea. There were information boards here for train passsengers to read, old water stands from the days of steam engines, and an old building once used for passengers to rest in. 

The sunset here on the open plains was beautiful.

The next town, and the origin for the Gulflander train journey was Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria. 

It is famous for the Gulflander Train ...


... And Kris, the largest saltwater crocodile ever captured in the world at 8.63m long. 

...... And the Purple Pub !

One of the early Gulflander trains on display outside the restored station. 

Interestingly enough in Normanton, after 15 months living/working in Queensland we finally discovered we could have a tourist library card which allows us to borrow in one town and return in another ! George is in seventh heaven !

By Lynne