THE OUTBACK - BURKETOWN

It is hard to imagine that Burketown, a tiny town in the Gulf of Carpentaria, was once a thriving centre. But ill fate kept striking the town until it was reduced by nearly 98%. And what once was a lively settlement it is nowadays a quiet town with a population of less than 200. But it has a very interesting history waiting to be discovered...

NOTE: THE MAIN ROADS THROUGH THE OUTBACK ARE SEALED. ONCE YOU LEAVE THIS MAIN ROAD, CONDITIONS DEPRECIATE QUICKLY, AND YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF ON A GRAVEL TRACK. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR SAFE DRIVING SECTION.

PHOTO COURTESY OF 'DROP BEARS' www.dropbears.com

The tiny, isolated township of Burketown (population 180) sits at the southernmost point of the Gulf of Carpentaria, 25 kilometres from the coast, about 230 kilometres west of Normanton, and 400km north of Cloncurry. Burketown sits on the Albert River and marks the point where the wetlands to the north fade into the beginning of the savannah grass plains to the south. The town owes its named to the ill-fated explorer ROBERT O'HARA BURKE, who surveyed the region in the 1860's.

By the mid 1860s, several cattle stations had been founded in the area just inland of present-day Burketown. The town itself had developed around a site on the river, and it appeared as though Burketown would soon become one of the major centres in north-western Queensland. Unfortunately, tropical diseases ravaged the population in 1866 and the town was hit by a damaging tropical cyclone in 1887 resulting in the destruction of 98 percent of Burketown.

Today, Burketown is one of Tropical North Queensland's most famed locations for barramundi fishing, and the local population swells every year as keen fishermen from all around the country make their pilgrimage to Burketown.

ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO - BURKETOWN

HISTORIC SITES

HISTORIC BUILDINGS
By 1866, Burketown was considered of sufficient regional significance to warrant the establishment of its own Post Office. Tragically, the population of Burketown was later that year ravaged by an epedemic known as 'Gulf Fever', and survivors were evacuated to Sweers Island. The original Burketown Post Office is now the visitor information centre. The Albert Hotel, built around the 1860s, was originally the Customs House and it is the oldest building in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The Burketown cemetery, is a fascinating testament of Burketown's past. The cemetery also reveals the devastation of 'Gulf Fever' disease, thought to be typhoid or malaria, and it is thought to be the largest mass grave in Australia. There are tombstones dating back to the 1860s.

The Burketown to Normanton telegraph line, which was in competition with the Adelaide to Darwin one to be the terminus for the trans-oceanic cable that connected Australia to Europe and Asia, is another site worth visiting. The line finally lost the competition due to the 'Gulf Fever' as it killed the leader of the suveying crew.

ARTESIAN BORE
Built around 100 years ago, this artesian bore is located to the south of the town, and it remains as probably the only really interesting bore in Queensland. It still issues boiling water and has created a billabong where birdlife gathers. The minerals in the water, over the years, have built up, and nowadays the bore looks more like a modern sculpture than a tap to a supply of underground hot water. Also the pond around the bore has been coloured by the minerals.

ADELS GROVE
Adels Grove, also known as 'The Frenchman's Garden', is located 10 kilometres from Lawn Hill National Park. The grove covers around 30 ha and it was established by Albert de Lestang, a French botanist, in the 1930s, when the government decided to experiment growing tropical fruits and trees. There are some facilities in the grove, including a kiosk and a caravan and camping site.

NATURAL SITES

LAWN HILL NATIONAL PARK
Towering sandstone cliffs line the gorge, and its emerald waters and lush vegetation make it not only a visual splendour, but an oasis for the wildlife of the region. The Riversleigh section of the park is one of Australia's most renowned fossil sites.

There are a range of walks in the park, from easy one hour strolls to a 7 kilometre Gorge Walk, graded 'difficult'. It is possible to canoe through Lawn Hill Gorge, a distance of up to 6km return. Private canoes are welcome, but canoes can be hired on an hourly basis from the east end of the campsite. Fishing is not permitted in Lawn Hill Creek. Bag and size limits apply for other rivers and creeks.

A camping area with toilets and showers is provided close to Lawn Hill Gorge. Camping is also available at Miyumba bush camp, adjacent to the Gregory River, approximately 55km south-east of Lawn Hill Gorge campground. For more information about this park, please CLICK HERE.

BIRDWATCHING

Birdwatchers will find Burketown a delightful place, with a wide variety of bird species to be spotted. This variety includes species such as galahs, cockoos, frogmouths, kookaburras and kingfishers among many others.

FISHING

The Albert River Bridge - which forms the link between Burketown and Normanton - is one of the most popular, and easily accessible, fishing locations. Some other local favourites include 'China Wall' - a small causeway between the town and the wharf - and junctions where small feeder creeks meet the river.

Every Easter the World Barramundi Fishing Championships are held at Burketown, starting on Good Friday and finishing on Easter Sunday.

TOURS AND BOAT HIRE

BURKETOWN MARINE CHARTERS Phone (07) 4745 5266 / Fax (07) 4745 5252 For those people who like to do it themselves, you might prefer to fish the Albert River in one of these 4-person hire boats fitted with shade canopy and sounder. The boats are perfect for the couple or group of friends who want to take their time and explore.

EVENTS

WORLD BARRAMUNDI FISHING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Every Easter the World Barramundi Fishing Championships are held at Burketown, starting on Good Friday and finishing on Easter Sunday.

Check our TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND CALENDAR for details of this and other regular events in the region.

ACCOMMODATION - BURKETOWN

Burketown holiday accommodation consists mainly of traditional pub style lodging, budget motel accommodation, and a caravan park. But there is also a comfortable lodge with self contained cabins. Scroll down to choose your style of Burketown accommodation.

HOTELS AND MOTELS

SAVANNAH LODGE
Corner Beames and Bowen Streets, Burketown (MAP)
Phone (07) 4745 5177 / Fax (07) 4745 5211
Freecall 1800 455 445

www.savannah-aviation.com/accommodation.htm

Your oasis awaits you!

Savannah Lodge has very comfortable self-contained cabins which accommodate up to six persons. Facilities at the Lodge include swimming pool adjacent to a large shaded barbecue area in a beautiful tropical garden setting surrounded by flowering vines and bottlebrush, traveler palms and coconut palms. There is a large parking area for cars and boats, and amenities include laundry facilities.

BURKETOWN PUB - The Albert Hotel Corner of Beames and Musgrave Streets, Burketown Phone (07) 4745 5104 / Fax (07) 4745 5146 With eight hotel rooms (4 airconditioned) and eight airconditioned motel style units, the Burketown pub offers an affordable choice of accommodation for everyone.

CARAVAN PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

BURKETOWN CARAVAN PARK Sloman Street, Burketown Phone (07) 4745 5118 / fax (07) 4745 5126 Relax with owner/operators Pete and Janet under endless skies in our small friendly park and journey through the unique Gulf Savannah Region.

ADELS GROVE 200km southwest of Burketown / 410km northwest of Cloncurry. Phone (07) 4748 5502 / Fax (07) 4748 5600 Situated on Lawn Hill Creek, Adels Grove is adjacent to Lawn Hill National Park and 50 kilometres from the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil deposits. Tent and room accommodation is available all year.

DINING - BURKETOWN

BURKETOWN PUB - The Albert Hotel Corner of Beames and Musgrave Streets, Burketown Phone (07) 4745 5104 / Fax (07) 4745 5146 Licenced dining room.

GETTING TO BURKETOWN

Burketown is about a 13 hour drive or 934 kilometres from Cairns. Of course, it would be a shame to do this drive without exploring a little along the way. We especially recommend a stop at the unique UNDARA LAVA TUBES and of course take your time and enjoy the diverse nature and typical North Queensland atmosphere of the ATHERTON TABLELANDS. Not everybody will be up for the challenge - and this part of the country does provide its share of challenges - but we believe that the grandeur and vastness of the Northern Outback can be best experienced form behind the wheel of your own vehicle. For the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace, please visit our CAR HIRE page. Simply fill out our obligation free enquiry form, and we will get back to you - usually the next working day - with the best deal on a rental car, four wheel drive or campervan to suit your needs.

Major roads in the region are sealed, but access to Burketown by road is only possible during the dry season months between April and October. The last 140km into Burketown is on unsealed dirt roads. Before travelling, be sure to check CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS. Care should be taken when travelling on roads within this remote region of the Northern Outback, as numerous ROAD TRAINS ply the highways.

Burketown is also serviced by local tour operators, as part of a longer outback experience. To view the range of tours available, please visit our TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND TOURS page.

SAVANNAH AVIATION
Phone (07) 4745 5177 / Fax (07) 4745 5211
Freecall 1800 455 445

www.savannah-aviation.com

Servicing North QLD and the Northern Territory!

Savannah Aviation offers charter flights to many destinations in the Outback and around North Queensland.

* Alice Springs * Tenant Creek * Burketown * Mornington Island * Doomadgee * Lawn Hill * Century Zinc Mine * Mt Isa * Camooweal * Normanton * Karumba * Katherine * Townsville * Cairns * Borroloola * Robinson River * Merlin Mine * Argyle Mine * Katherine * Darwin *

Savannah Aviation are also available for scenic flights over many of the magnificent sights of our Northern Outback and Gulf region.

Trans North Bus and Coach offers a route from Cairns to Karumba, stopping in many of the outback towns along the way but does not extend as far as Burketown. These towns include Undara, Mount Surprise, Georgetown, Croydon and Normanton. The route leaves Cairns every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6.30am and gets to Karumba at 6.00pm. The eastbound route then leaves Karumba on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 6.30am and arrives in Cairns at 6.15pm.

• OUTBACK MAP