You know you are in the tropics when the taps in your Motel are like this one in Karumba on the banks of the Norman River in the Gulf of Carpenteria. Finally, we had reached the Bay.

We travelled on the Matilda Way on long and straight roads dotted with graveyards of tombstone termite mounds.

We passed Krys the Croc – in Normanton -and were awed by his size. He was real once. So no swims on the beach here !

We were amused by this sign in Normanton Cemetery. I wonder who would camp there given the chance ?

Our destination for a couple of nights was Karumba on the mouth of the Norman River. We went to the Barramundi Discovery Centre to see how barramundi are reared. Most barramundi are born male but after a certain age and size they become female and can produce as many as 3 million eggs at a go. Impressive.

On a sunset cruise down the river where we spotted jabaroos. Prawns, fishing and zinc mining make up the economy up here.

Some lovely walks along the coast line to Sunderland Park with poignant memorials to those lost in the world wars.

Then back down the Matilda Way before turning into the Savannah Way to go across the country to the Atherton Tablelands. And before long we were shrouded in mist and fog. It rained and we were cold in the highest town in Queensland, Ravenshoe. It was like being in a different country.

Aussie humour at its best – we are heading to the East coast.