Cardwell

Cardwell is located on the tropical Cassowary Coast, North Queensland, Australia.

Cardwell is the launching pad for a variety of unique natural and cultural experiences. Situated between two World Heritage Areas i.e. Cardwell Range Queensland Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef. Cardwell resides on the southern shoreline of Rockingham Bay. Marine Parade Cardwell, Cardwell Jetty provides amazing coastal scenery. To the east and offshore lie densely vegetated continental island National Parks e.g. Hinchinbrook Island, Goold Island and the Brook Islands Group. To the north and east of Mission Beach are the Family Islands Group, Bedarra Island and Dunk Island.

The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation located in Cardwell represents the interests of nine Aboriginal Tribal Groups in the region. Cardwell lies within Girramay Country, while Hinchinbrook Island is Bandjin Country. The Girringun Aboriginal Coporation Centre hosts a Public Museum and locally produced Arts & Crafts.

Northwest of Cardwell along the upper reaches of the Murray River catchment is the Jumbun Aboriginal Community. Jumbun is at the foot of the mountainous rainforest escarpment, gateway to Murray Falls. A popular day trip location and camping destination. The Jumbun Community conduct small group guided tours of their Jumbun Museum and Traditional Lands centred on the Murray River and Murray Falls. Having resided on their traditional lands since colonization, the Jumbun Community still celebrate, maintain and share the cultural knowledge of their lands, waterways and rainforest. Jumbun Arts & Crafts are unique, renowned for their Juwun Basket and weaving techniques.

18°15′36″S 146°1′48″E

Map of Cardwell

Dallachy Aerodrome lies to the north of Cardwell adjacent the Bruce Highway, contact the Cassowary Coast Regional Council for landing information.

The Bruce Highway, named Victoria Street within the town limits links Townsville and Cairns, North Queensland provincial cities.

The Cardwell Rail Station is within easy walking distance to the Cardwell Cultural Precinct and CBD. Namely the Bush Telegraph & Heritage Centre and Hinchinbrook Art Gallery. Daily scheduled Coach services operate from Cardwell's transit zone in Brasenose Street.

• -18.2679146.02821 Cardwell railway station, Bowen St.  (updated Aug 2020)

Greyhound's and Flixbus' Brisbane–Cairns coach stops by at Cardwell.

Cardwell Public Boat Ramps are located at Meunga Creek and Marine Parade. The Cardwell Jetty can be used for temporary moorings. Both Cardwell Public Boat Ramps and Jetty are subject to local tidal and sea conditions. The Marina Public Boat Ramp remains unaccessible at low tide; it has failed to address the issues of boating access to the sheltered waters of the Channel, the estuaries, islands and the Great Barrier Reef. It.

Land Based Sightseeing:

• Self Drive

Two Wheel Drive Vehicles, SUV's, Four Wheel Drives & Motorcycles. Sealed roadways, all weather unsealed roads; accessibility subject to climatic extremes e.g. Localised flooding, Cyclones.

• Scenic Road Routes

Bruce Highway, Cardwell Forestry Drive, Girramay National Park, Kennedy Valley, Kirrama Range Road, Bilyana - Jumbum - Murray Falls. Roadways also suited to sealed/unsealed Road Cycling and Walking.

• Walking & Trail Walks

Cardwell Foreshore, Cardwell Forestry, Edmund Kennedy National Park, Dalrymple Gap, Kirrama Range Road, Society Flats, Hinchinbrook Island Thorsborne Trail, Blencoe Falls "Juwun Walk."

Local Cardwell Road Transport Service Providers:-

• Cardwell Taxi & Charters.
• Ingham Travel - Shuttle Passenger Services.

Marine & Hinchinbrook Island Activities:

Cardwell is renowned for Boating & Fishing. Regular Services operate to - Hinchinbrook Island - Missionary Bay - Cape Richards. Fishing Charters & Tours, Houseboat Hire and Motorboat Rentals can be arranged by local accommodation providers in Cardwell.

• -18.267475146.0297461 Cardwell Bush Telegraph, 53 Victoria St, ☏ +61 7 4066 2412.  (updated Oct 2021)
• -18.083333145.5833332 Girringun National Park. Girringun National Park is a vast protected area in Far North Queensland, forming part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage landscape. Located inland from Ingham, it is best known for its dramatic scenery, rugged ranges, deep gorges, and dense tropical rainforest.
  The park’s standout feature is Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall, where the Stony Creek plunges around 268 metres into a rainforest gorge. The surrounding landscape is shaped by steep escarpments and volcanic soils that support rich biodiversity, including rare and endemic plant and animal species.
  Girringun is also culturally significant to the Traditional Owners of the region, who maintain deep connections to the land through stories, songlines, and ongoing stewardship. Today, the park offers remote walking tracks, scenic lookouts, and opportunities to experience one of Australia’s most pristine tropical environments.  (updated May 2026)

Cultural Experiences:

• Aboriginal Culture - Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Jumbun Murray Upper.
• Local History - Cardwell Bush Telegraph & Heritage Centre.
• Arts & Crafts - Hinchinbrook Regional Arts Association.
• Visitor Information - Cardwell Rainforest and Reef Centre.
• Socializing, Dining, Events, Conventions, Sporting Competitions.

Outdoor Activity Experiences:

• Lawn Bowls & Golf.
• Day Trips - Sightseeing, Wildlife Sighting, Picnics, BBQ's and Camping.
• Walking, Jogging, Cycling and Motorcycle Riding.
• Swimming, Snorkelling, Spear Fishing and Scuba Diving.
• Boating - Day Tours, Sailing and Cruising.
• Net Casting, Crabbing, Baitcasting, Luring, Bottom Fishing and Game Fishing.

Special Interest:

• Family Holiday, Extended Vacation, Rest, Relaxation, Sports Activities.
• Photography - Attractions, Culture, Nature, Wildlife, Natural Landscape Features.
• Visual Arts - Etching, Sketching and Water Colours.
• Cross Country Touring - Mountain Bike & Motorcycle Riding.
• Multi day Camping - Bushwalking, Trekking and Hiking.

• -18.263655146.02521 Vivia Cafe, 135 Victoria St, ☏ +61 7 4066 8030. 8AM-3PM.  (updated Oct 2021)

• -18.2611146.02351 Cardwell Beachfront Motel, 1 Scott St, ☏ +61 7 4066 8776. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM.  (updated Jul 2021)

Cairns ← Tully ←

N  S

→ Ingham → Townsville