things to do
CASSOWARY COAST
CASSOWARY COAST
TOP Things to do
Whether it’s exploring ancient rainforests, discovering secluded swimming holes, island hopping, or simply unwinding beneath swaying palms, the Cassowary Coast delivers an unforgettable tropical escape.
Top activities in the area include exploring the rainforest on the Kennedy Walking Track, visiting the nearby Paronella Park, and island hopping to Dunk Island. For adventure seekers, skydiving, whitewater rafting, and exploring Djiru National Park are popular choices. You can also snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, go whale watching, or spot cassowaries in the wild.
WALK TO KING REEF
You can literally walk out and explore the reef for free – there's absolutely no charge.
It is approximately an 800m walk through thigh high water to get out to the reef and usually takes about 30 – 45 mins. See below for advice on where to leave from, what times you should be heading out and back in and any other questions you may have.
RECREATIONAL FISHING
Fishing is a big part of life here. No surprises really when your coastline is creeks and blue water, islands and reefs, and teeming with a variety of fishing experiences from freshwater to outer-reef in the Coral Sea.
Cast your line at a huge array of species, from trophy-sized Barramundi to spirited Spanish Mackerel. Explore wide estuaries, where elusive Mangrove Jacks hide, while your pot is set and waiting for some succulent Mud Crabs. Treat yourself to a day on a fishing charter with a seasoned local skipper to really make the most of your trip.
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.
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.
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.
ART DECO SELF-GUIDED WALK
Cassowary Coast Art Deco and Historical Self-Guided Walk: Take a step back in time to the roaring 20s and discover the hidden tales behind the Art Deco and historical buildings of interest in the Cassowary Coast. Explore the history and take in the beauty of the region rich in natural assets, positioned where the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Rainforest meet. This is a self-guided location based storytelling tool that gives technical details on decorative architecture as well the history of how Art Deco was built from tragedy.
Call into the museum and pick up your tour guide map and booklet or download the app.
TROPICAL ART DECO APP
MUSGRAVEA TRAIL
If you’re looking for a trail for the family, a recreational ride under the rainforest canopy rather than atop the sand, or simply hunting for swimming holes, the Musgravea trail is a must ride. Situated along the backside of Mission Beach, the trail links the north and south ends of the township via a wide 4WD like track rolling gently through undulations on the outer edges of the dense Djiru National Park. The trail is straight forward and is suitable for all ages, with the real excitement laying in the beauty of the bush and its inhabiting wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the endangered Southern Cassowary as they are known to share the trail.
Only 8 kilometres off the coast is the magnificent Hinchinbrook Island, one of Australia’s largest island National Parks. As few as 7000 visitors per year visit Hinchinbrook’s pristine landscapes, which covers everything from mountainous terrain and leafy rainforests, to golden beaches.
The picture-perfect Cassowary Coast Islands, each with their own charms and attractions, offer the quintessential tropical island escape. The Family Group of Islands is a chain of islands clad in lush rainforest, and ringed by sandy beaches and pristine coral reef. The largest and best known is the beautiful Dunk Island.
Dunk Island Reef Adventures provide transfers and adventures to Dunk Island.
No visit to Tropical North Queensland is complete without spending time at the Great Barrier Reef, take a plunge into one of the Seven Wonders of the World and discover why this is the largest, most spectacular coral reef system on earth.
MISSION BEACH
CLOSEST ACCESS POINT TO THE REEF
BIRTHPLACE OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK