CARDWELL
BY THE SEA
CARDWELL AND SURROUNDS
CARDWELL BY THE SEA
Cardwell is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. The town hugs the coastline of the Coral Sea overlooking idyllic tropical islands, with the rugged beauty of the Cardwell Range as a backdrop. Cardwell’s port serves as an access point to the amazing Hinchinbrook channel and its 45 kilometres of fully protected waters, offering the finest all-weather, all-tide fishing in North Queensland. Cardwell is also a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and 22 islands just off the coast, including the astonishing Hinchinbrook Island, Australia’s largest island national park and home to the famous Thorsborne Walking Trail.
ACTIVITIES
Catch a Barra, soak in the picturesque Cardwell Spa Pool, cruise the waterways of Hinchinbrook Island or hike the Thorsborne Trail.
CARDWELL FORESHORE
VIBRANT CARDWELL
Check out vibrant local markets, savour fresh seafood, stay in a range of accommodation. Atend the annual Australian UFO Festival.
CARDWELL & SURROUNDS
TOP THINGS TO DO
Explore the historic architecture of Innisfail on a guided Art Deco walking tour. Take a leisurely cruise along the Johnstone River and enjoy the scenic views. Indulge in freshly caught seafood. Head to Etty Bay and spot a cassowary on the beach. Discover the enchanting Paronella Park and experience the Mamu Skywalk for stunning rainforest views.
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KIRRAMA RANGE ROAD
Opened in 1941, the Kirrama Range Road was designed to facilitate the transport of timber from logging camps in the Kirrama State Forest to Cardwell. Taking three years to complete, it was considered a feat of engineering due to the steepness of the terrain and the wet climate. Today it’s a stunning drive across the ranges, with plenty to see and do, and spectacular scenery including lookouts, waterfalls, heritage-listed rainforest and swimming holes.
SAVOUR A MUD CRAB SANDWICH
. The Big Crab is a popular seafood restaurant located in Cardwell, Queensland, known for its delicious crab dishes. Enjoy the fresh and succulent crab meat in a sandwich, paired with your choice of sides and a refreshing drink. The relaxed atmosphere and stunning views of the ocean make it the perfect spot to indulge in a tasty meal.
GIRRINGUN ARTS CENTRE
Since 2008, the Girringun Art Centre in central Cardwell has promoted works of local, multi-award-winning artists. Northern Queensland is home to some of the best Indigenous art galleries in the country, but this impressive space represents artists specifically from the Nywaigi, Gugu Badhan, Warrgamay, Warungnu, Bandjin, Girramay, Gulngay, Jirrbal and Djiru people. As well as being able to purchase works from dedicated gallery, the centre is also a workshop where many artists can be found working on pieces. A truly special place.
HINCHINBROOK ISLAND TOURS
At Hinchinbrook Island Tours (Hi Tours), they are passionate about showcasing the untouched beauty of Hinchinbrook Island and its surrounding waters. As a locally operated business, they provide eco-friendly boat tours that highlight the island’s stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural history.
Cardwell Historic Precinct
Step back in time at the Cardwell Historic Precinct. Explore interactive exhibits showcasing early colonial settlement including communications, telegraph lines, industry, cyclones, local government, police magistrates and shipwrecked sailors.
MOUNTAIn BIKING
Swap two feet for two wheels along one of the most beautiful inland drives in northern Queensland. Starting just a few minutes west of the Cardwell township, Cardwell Forest Drive is made up of rocky trails and shared routes, taking in incredible natural wonders including Attie Creek Falls, Cardwell Spa Pool, and Cardwell Lookout which steals views all the way out to Hinchinbrook Island.
For a challenge, tackle the Powerline Trail. Combining a larger, more technical route, it incorporates some of the best lookout points while serving up those challenging agility tracks you’re hankering.
CORAL SEA KAYAKING
Welcome to our world, a world of warm waters, deserted tropical archipelago’s and some of the most beautiful marine environments on earth. Far from the maddening crowds and concrete jungle our Island paradise will reconnect you with the natural world and help you to decompress and unplug from the grind of modern life. So join us on one of our world class sea kayaking journeys and experience the fulfilment of exploring by kayak.
charlie's Chocolate factory tour
Charley’s chocolate tour is unique in Australia and one of only a few places in the world where you can experience the fascinating journey from cocoa tree to chocolate bar all in the one location.
The highpoint of the tour is the chocolate tasting! Here we feature our multi award winning Australian grown and made premium single origin chocolate. There are dark and milk varieties to suit every palate.
DISCOVER
CARDWELL SPA POOL
CARDWELL SPA POOL
The Cardwell Spa Pool is a geological wonder, located in the beautiful coastal town of Cardwell in Tropical North Queensland. Although locals have been cooling off here for years, this magical swimming hole remained relatively unknown until a social media post went viral.
Why is the Cardwell Spa Pool blue?
The science behind the colour can get a little complicated but our team of geological experts suggest that the blue colour is from the chemistry of the rocks and water. Much of the water that flows to the creek comes from underground, where it picks up minerals from the sedimentary rocks, resulting in high levels of dissolved magnesium and calcium in the waters. Depending on the time of day and available sunlight, the colour can vary from a bright, baby blue to a more milky-blue colour.
The pool is on the Cardwell Forest Drive, a ring road with access points from Kennedy and Cardwell.
CARDWELL & SURROUNDS
MAJOR EVENTS
AUSTRALIAN UFO FESTIVAL - 9 AUGUST 2026
The Cardwell UFO Festival highlights the extra-terrestrial activities around Cardwell. This annual event begins on Saturday afternoon filled with family fun activities, markets, show rides, and visitors from throughout the Universe.
Saturday is the C-Files forum this forum is the highlight of the festival for many visitors, a informative morning with guest speakers and visitors can listen to and share their personal experiences of all things unexplained. Then Saturday night is where the locals and visitors alike dance the night away at the Alien Invasion Costume Party.
The festival sees visitors from all over Planet Earth come to visit the little seaside village of Cardwell.
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WALK TO THE REEF
Experience the unexpected! Kurrimine Beach is one of the closest beaches to the Great Barrier Reef – They are so close that you can walk out to explore King Reef on very low tides.
If you would like to partake in the walk, bring some shoes with you that you don’t mind getting wet – reef shoes are perfect! It is approximately an 800m walk through thigh high water to get out to the reef and usually takes about 30 – 45 mins.
SKYDIVE AUSTRALIA
Your next ultimate thrill is closer than you think!
Mission Beach just got a whole lot higher. This is your moment to see the town from above, freefall from thousands of feet, and take in the breathtaking views you’ve lived alongside your whole life.
Afterpay is available! Lock in your jump today and spread the cost over four easy, interest-free payments. No excuses, just adventure.
WALK TO THE REEF
Experience the unexpected! Kurrimine Beach is one of the closest beaches to the Great Barrier Reef – They are so close that you can walk out to explore King Reef on very low tides.
If you would like to partake in the walk, bring some shoes with you that you don’t mind getting wet – reef shoes are perfect! It is approximately an 800m walk through thigh high water to get out to the reef and usually takes about 30 – 45 mins.
SKYDIVE AUSTRALIA
Your next ultimate thrill is closer than you think!
Mission Beach just got a whole lot higher. This is your moment to see the town from above, freefall from thousands of feet, and take in the breathtaking views you’ve lived alongside your whole life.
Afterpay is available! Lock in your jump today and spread the cost over four easy, interest-free payments. No excuses, just adventure.
CARDWELL & SURROUNDS
ACCOMMODATION
Kookaburra Holiday Park Cardwell
Enjoy sunshine, large pool, picturesque foreshore, lovely shops & fish from Jetty or boat. Relax in stunning and lush tropical surroundings with Islands, Falls, Creeks and Pools.
Cardwell Beachcomber Motel
Located on the beachfront in the seaside village of Cardwell. The Beachcomber offer a wide range of accommodation options from camping to motel rooms, family cabins and ocean view villas. The Tourist Park is pet friendly, and dedicated pet friendly rooms are available.
CARDWELL MAP
We respectfully acknowledge the Mamu, Jirrbal, Djiru, Gulngay and Girramay peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we gather. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Indigenous Australia.