Have just been on this tour, 01.09.13 and highly recommend it to anyone going to Normanton or Karumba. Mark and Julieanne were wonderful hosts and very knowledgeable about mud crabs. We saw 2 crocs and they were so close you could almost touch them. Then Julieanne pulled up some crab pots amd Mark showed us how to tie them and explained in detail the life cycle of the crabs and how they a transported to Sydney etc. Then it was time to eat cooked, chilled crab and prawns followed by some fruit and washed down with some wine or beer.A really great tour
Were fortunate enough with our timing to book on a special 'sand island' Dinner Cruise where we were treated to the evening tour with dinner on a nearby sand island. Our hosts were fantastic with their information and humor to put everyone at ease. Would absolutely recommend and experience again if in the area. NOTE: There is no 'optus' phone reception in Karumba however we had unexpected reception on the island due to its proximity to Normonton!
A great way to see the rivers in Karumba when you don't have your own boat.Mark & Julianne reall know their subject asthey work the waterways as professional crabbers. They were able to show us the birdlife and wildlife on the river as well land a few mud crabs and spot crocodiles. Marks knowledge of the district was informative. Sadly they are trying to sell this side of their operations. Trip included a greatmud crab and prawn lunch with a beer or wine. Great day.
We did the morning croc and crab tour with a delightful couple Mark and Julianne. It was a wonderful morning, with viewings of crocodiles in the wild, and a demonstration of catching and tieing crabs. We were then given a feed of crab and prawns, washed down with beer and wine. We were also allowed to keep the beer cooler and wine glass, both with the croc and crab symbols.This morning is really hard to descibe as it was so varied and so good. i dont usually like to rave about tours but this in one of the best I have ever done.Julianne even picked out a cooked crab at Ash's for us, which was the best we have ever had.Mark is a professional crab man, who will ship live crabs to you.If in Karumba, this is a must tour.
Thanks to this great team the Dirty Boys (and Girls) which numbered 80 this year ( this is the group of riders associated with the Cairns to Karumba Bike Ride who choose to ride on station tracks and through the dirt) were taken across the Norman River in style on their vessel. Thanks again for getting us across the river safely and efficiently
The $119 per head for this half day tour was the best money we spend on the gulf. Mark and Julianne should be congratulated on heir effort to entertain the 20 or so tourists during our action packed tour. We could not believe the endless supply of cooked mud crabs and banana prawns together with the amber fluid on the way back. There is nothing past exceptional to describe our thoughts on this package.
We wandered down to the boat ramp just before 8 am and were met by hosts Mark and Julianne Grunske. About 14 of us took the cruise aboard a very stable but fast 30 foot aluminium flat bottomed barge. Plenty of shade, plenty to drink, a fantastic down to earth commentary and some amazing wildlife. We travelled about 10km up the Norman River and into a tidal side stream. Trevor, one of the locals came out to say g'day. Fortunately for us, he didn't stay for lunch because we might have been on his menu. Trevor is a 4 metre estuarine crocodile.Lunch was cold beer, white or red wine and some amazing, fresh crab.
Really enjoyed this cruise. Mark and julienne are vet welcoming and give an excellent commentary as you cruise down river. As we turned and headed out the Chanel to enjoy the sunset, julienne prepared a fantastic feast of prawns, and marinated fish. A beautiful fruit platter, beer and wine topped off the whole evening. Well worth the money.
What a fantastic day! Now I'm not going to tell you what it was like because that would spoil the experience. Just do it is my review! Hosts, talks, education, sights, food and beverage all excellent...