The Gulf Savannah region extends from the Great Dividing Range in the east to the Northern Territory border in the west. The region is a safari country of golden savannah grasslands abounding with wildlife. Established on the Norman River by William Landsborough, Normanton was the port for the Croydon Gold Rush and is a terminus of the Normanton Railway Station - whose Victorian architecture has been preserved.

Some 30 kilometres to the south-west of Normanton is camp 119, Burke and Wills' most northerly camp. The wetlands between Normanton and Karumba are also excellent for birdwatching, particularly just after the wet season.

Normanton is 680 km west of Cairns, and 500 km north of mt isa.