Burns Philp Building (former)

Approaching Normanton from the air, it is clear that the Burns Philp building is the largest in town. Arriving by road from the north, it still is a dominant structure overlooking the old wharves on the Norman River. This 1884 building, with its distinctive triple fronted parapet facing Landsborough Street, is a remnant of one of Queensland’s most important companies. Burns Philp’s shipping interests initially provisioned the gulf and east coast, later expanding throughout Australia and the South Pacific. The Normanton store was the company’s largest in Queensland, serving gulf-land graziers and gold miners from Croydon. The Carpentaria Shire Council is the proud owner of the Burns Philp Building, which houses the local library, accredited visitor information centre, small museum, coffee shop and interpretation centre. Friendly staff will help with your tourism needs and you may like to visit other heritage attractions, such as the Burke and Wills Camp, a short drive out of town. The Normanton community has chosen Burns Philp as its signature structure, replicating the distinctive parapet design in its heritage trail signage. The design includes features such as the old jail, Westpac Bank, and the Normanton Railway station.