Head Office: Department of Natural Resources and Water Cnr Main & Vulture Sts, Woolloongabba, Brisbane Locked Bag 40, Coorparoo Delivery Centre, Qld. 4151 Ph (07) 3896 3216, Fax (07) 3896 3510 For all your regional and recreational map needs, Sunmap products are available from Departmental service centres, distributors and selected retailers throughout Queensland or the Queensland Government Bookshop at: www.publications.qld.gov.au. The development of aviation and the inspiration of John Flynn To view the complete range of products and services, visit our home combined after World War I to include the remote Gulf frontier in page at: www.nrw.qld.gov.au. the network of Flying Doctor Services which made up the ‘mantle of safety’ for the inland areas of Australia. The Etheridge Goldfield, the ‘poor man’s goldfield’ has never been worked out. Discovered by Richard Daintree in 1869, the Etheridge survived the rushes to the Palmer Over the bush ‘roads’ rolled the legendary and other richer fields in North Queensland. The ghosts Founded in 1865 by commercial and pastoral interests led by The traditional industries of the Gulf The Normanton to Croydon Railway is a living relic of the age of steam railways. Originally coaches of Cobb and Co. and other lines, of such towns as Charleston on the Etheridge and Robert Towns, Burketown in its early days was a wild frontier Savannah are fishing and grazing, with intended to link the port of Normanton to the copper mines of Cloncurry, the discovery of gold carrying mail and passengers between Gilberton on the Gilbert Field still dot the Savannah and Weipa town, the refuge of law breakers and adventurers, a town which beef cattle succeeding sheep, which were around Croydon led to its diversion to that Goldfield in 1891. Built mainly of steel sleepers, to Colourful Afghan cameleers once supplied The Chinese, whose industry and incredible endurance contributed to mining towns and pastoral settlements. Road distances from Brisbane here and there in the bush can be found the skeletons attracted a wide variety of colourful characters from all parts of unsuccessfully tried in the 1860’s. Prior to defeat the white ants, and on the ground surface, to avoid flood damage, the line still most settlements and stations distributing the opening up of the frontier, were initially followers of the lure of Today the roar of the diesel has replaced 0f mining machinery that mark worked out shafts. Weipa – 2471km the world. One local outlaw was Joe Flick, who was killed in a European occupation however, Indonesian operates. Carrying supplies and machinery to the Croydon and Golden Gate Fields, the line from ports and then the railhead. A regular gold. Pushing their possessions in wheelbarrows, some walked from the creaking of harness, crack of the whip Gulf Cairns – 1681km gunfight at Lawn Hill Station in 1889, after he had killed a seafarers from Sulawesi and the Moluccas also carried some of the gold production back to the coast, under heavy guard. The railway, at steamer service operated to the Gulf ports, the ports and goldfields on the east Queensland coast, across the and the whistles and curses of the coach Savannah Townsville – 1338km Police Sergeant and an Aboriginal boy in cold blood. He is sailed their large praus to the Gulf to catch the height of production on the Golden Gate Field, operated a ‘suburban’ service between but weather and handling delays often meant Gulf Country and some eventually to the goldfields of the Northern drivers. Their passengers included Mount Isa – 1824km reported to be buried ‘face down to the Devil’. A party led by and cure trepang, or beche de mer, for Golden Gate and Croydon between 1902 and 1914. temporary shortages of vital food supplies. Territory. Behind them they left Joss Houses, gardens and an hopeful miners, government and bank Daly Waters F.H. Hann, Manager of Lawn Hill, tracked and the Chinese market. incredible history which is largely buried with their many dead. officials, and girls to entertain the patrons Mareeba Cairns Atherton ambushed Flick, after Hann was wounded in the of the rough bush hotels. Innisfail South Johnstone Burketown encounter which cost the Sergeant of Police his life. Georgetown Townsville Tennant Creek Ayr Charters Towers Mornington and Sweers Islands cater for all maximum legal sizes and seasonal closure for In the more remote areas. In addition to the Mount Cloncurry Hughenden Fishing in the Gulf Fossicking Transport Travellers Tips Services Isa the angler needs, including access to some of some species. A catch and release system is above precautions, please advise police of Mackay the very best fishing enforced for recreational fishermen during your intended route, destination and Moranbah Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes Areas around Georgetown, Mount Surprise, Coach Services: With sealed roads and regular service centres Medical: Outpatient services are available in Winton grounds. seasonal closures. The barramundi closure is estimated time of arrival. Boulia enjoyed by visitors to the Gulf country, and Forsayth and Einasleigh are rich with mining Country Road Coachlines, available, travel in the Gulf Savannah is a far medical centres at Georgetown, Forsayth, normally in force from October to February. Longreach Emerald Rockhampton it’s no wonder because the Gulf is a virtually In Karumba, visitors history and there’s still the chance for the (Cairns - Karumba) Ph: (07) 4045 2794 cry from the harsh conditions of even just a Protecting the Croydon and Burketown. There is a fully For further details contact: Department of Blackall Biloela untouched recreational angler’s paradise. All to the Gulf keen fossicker to make a find. Popular sites few years ago. However, all travellers in the Wilderness and staffed hospital (24 hours) and a private Primary Industries and Fisheries by phone Rail Services: Tambo Bundaberg types of fishing are available. In the coastal Barramundi include Agate Creek and O’Briens Creek. The Savannahlander, (Cairns - Forsayth) Gulf Savannah do need to be aware that extra grazing lands. The dispensing surgery in Normanton and a day Birdsville 13 25 23, www.dpi.qld.gov.au\fishweb\ or river systems there is a variety of species Restocking farm can A fossicking licence is required for fossicking Ph: 1800 793 848 care and consideration are required to ensure Gulf is a wilderness clinic in Karumba. Pharmaceutical services Charleville Roma email: [email protected] Miles Nambour including King and Blue Salmon, Grunter and see and touch activities and these licences only authorise www.savannahlander.com.au their safety. The following tips will assist area so please treat are very limited in the Gulf so please bring BRISBANE Toowoomba Mud Crabs and of course the highly prized Barramundi recreational and tourist activities. you, and up to date information is available it accordingly. Take adequate supplies of prescribed medicines Thargomindah Cunnamulla Gold The Gulflander, (Normanton - Croydon) Goondiwindi Coast tablefish ‘Barramundi’ – the focus of two broodfish, some from the contacts listed on this map or visit all litter with you, with you. The Flying Doctor Emergency renowned events held on the Easter weekend, over 25kg, while Bird Watching To obtain a licence or further information Cairns, Ph: (07) 4036 9355 web page www.savannahway.com.au take care in lighting Service operates in the Gulf Savannah. The Normanton Barra Classic and the World being informed of contact the Department of Mines and Energy www.gulflander.com.au fires and ensure From magnificent wading birds to tiny rare or visit theri web page www.dme.qld.gov.au Outback driving. Driving on sealed and Banking: Several service outlets in the Gulf Barramundi Fishing Championships at the breeding process finches, the Gulf Savannah is especially rich Air Services: major unsealed roads is open to conventional they are completely Savannah provide EFTPOS and most Burketown. in captivity and in its stunning array of birdlife. Each season Fossicking licence agents in the Georgetown Cape York Air, (mail & passenger service) vehicles, subject to climatic conditions. 4WD extinguished. Do businesses accept major credit cards. A The rocky reefs surrounding the Gulf islands how the fingerlings brings its own delights. Mining District are: Ph: (07) 4035 9399 vehicles are recommended for other unsealed not deviate from Westpac Bank is located in Normanton (with Produced and published by ISBN 978-1742300122 can be fished for surface species such as are released. • BP Roadhouse & Caravan Park, Mt Surprise www.capeyorkair.com.au roads. The Dry Season from May to October main arterial roads 24 hour ATM access). Spatial Information The migratory birds arrive to herald the Karumba sunset Barramundi leather A prized Barramundi • Cobbold Camping Village, via Forsayth Savannah Aviation, Ph: 1800 455 445 onto private Department of Natural Resources and Water Mackerel, Tuna and Queenfish or bottom- coming monsoons then feast on the millions is the best time to travel in this area. During Communications: The locations of public Queensland Government fished for Red Emperor, Sweetlip, Cod, products are • Croydon Shire Council, Samwell St, Croydon www.savannah-aviation.com.au the Wet Season, from November to April, property, leave all available for purchase. The farm is open of cicadas unearthed by the first rains. • Goldfield's Caravan Park, St George St, gates as you find them, do not discharge telephones are shown on the adjacant map. Parrotfish and Coral Trout. Barge Services: heavy rainfalls can be experienced and road Edition 7, February 2009 daily and all proceeds support the Barramundi In the winter months clouds of pink galahs, Georgetown firearms. Mobile phone coverage within the Gulf region Gulf Freight Service, (Karumba-Weipa, conditions can change rapidly. Karumba and Burketown are both excellent restocking program. cockatoos and many other species sweep the • Mt Surprise Gems, Garland St, Mt Surprise may be limited – check with your service Photography by Tourism Queensland passengers limited) Ph: 1800 640 079 starting points for the land based angler and clear blue skies while brolgas perform their • O'Briens Creek Camping Ground, via Road reports.