[6] Before European colonisation and expropriation, the Karumba region had been inhabited for thousands of years by the Gangalidda and Waanyi peoples, who are the traditional custodians of the land.

[8] In the late 1930s, the town was a refuelling and maintenance stop for the flying boats of Qantas Empire Airways.

43 Squadron of the RAAF also operated Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats from the town between June 1943 and April 1944.

They are provided by the McKay Patrol, an aerial service of the Uniting Church that operates out of Cloncurry.

Supported by other denominations, the McKay Patrol operates a Cessna 182Q aeroplane to provide spiritual and practical help to people living in remote areas in the north-west of Queensland and the Eastern Tablelands of the Northern Territory, an area of approximately 625,000 square kilometres (241,000 sq mi) with a population of less than 10,000 people.

[17] The region is referred to in the song "Every Passing Day" by the Australian band Goanna, on their album Oceania.

These are provided by the McKay Patrol, an aerial service of the Uniting Church in Australia that operates out of Cloncurry.

Supported by other denominations, the McKay Patrol operates a Cessna 182Q aeroplane to provide spiritual and practical help to people living in remote areas in the north-west of Queensland and the eastern Tablelands of the Northern Territory, an area of approximately 625,000 square kilometres (241,000 sq mi) with a population of less than 10,000 people.

[22] Karumba has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with two distinct seasons.

The "Dry" usually lasts from April to the middle of November and is much more comfortable due to lower humidity and milder morning temperatures.