Doomadgee is a cattle industry centre and the base for the creation of aboriginal arts and crafts. It has a guesthouse, caravan park, bank and other services for travelers and can be reached by road or air. These tourist facilities are an outpost of the main village, which may be visited only with the permission of the Community Council.

In 1988 Doomadgee commenced self management, with an Aboriginal Chairperson and 6 councilors elected by the people of the community.

There are two seasons in this area of Queensland. The "wet" which extends from October to February, often means that the Doomadgee area is isolated by road for several weeks. The "dry" starts in March, and continues through to September. During this time, temperatures are cool and pleasant, with minimum rainfall.

Doomadgee, a fascinating Aboriginal settlement near the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Aboriginal mission of Doomadgee was originally established on the coast near Burketown in 1931. It was established by the Christian Brethren after the local police sergeant in Burketown had suggested that the local Aborigines, predominantly the Gundalita people, would be happier if they were removed from the fringes of the township.

The settlement was moved inland to its present location after a cyclone in 1936 made conditions on the coast impossible. The coastal site had never been satisfactory as it lacked a good and reliable water supply. The present site was settled in 1937 with the building of log hostels and a school.

Located on the Nicholson River and with a good local well the people survived on bush tucker and vegetables they grew in their gardens. In the early 1980s the government moved to establish self administration at the mission. The Christian Brethren workers, most of whom were working as school teachers, helped to establish the Aboriginal council and for a number of years worked in conjunction with the local elders to ensure that there was a smooth transition of power.

In 1983 the Gundalita people gained control of the town and in 1988 the last of the mission people moved out. The town is now controlled by the Doomadgee Aboriginal Council.

Of particular interest are the two old dormitories in the town. To the south of the Doomadgee Aboriginal Council, immediately next door to it, is the old Girls Dormitory and to the north (over the road) is the Boys Dormitory. In the 1930s and 1940s the brethren ran the town along strict Christian lines and the Aboriginal boys and girls weren't allowed to make contact with each other. There is a general store in the town which provides the traveller with both food and fuel.