ABOUT CARDWELL
Cardwell, heart of the Great Green Way and gateway
to magnificent Hinchinbrook Island – the largest Island National
Park in Australia. Made up of a diverse range of landscapes, Cardwell
is the perfect place to relax or be adventurous!
Cardwell is located
half way between Townsville and Cairns and is on the same latitude
as Tahiti - enjoying a similar climate but with easy mainland access
so you have mainland living … Island style.
Settled in 1864,
Cardwell was the first settlement north of Bowen and is the only
town in the world where two world heritage listed areas adjoin.
The first being the wet tropics world heritage, starting north
of Townsville and finishing south of Cooktown and the second -
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park world heritage area.
Cardwell
offers a range of attractions, site seeing, annual events to enjoy
and historical places to visit. The Rainforest
and Reef Information Centre has a magnificent interpretative display
capturing flora and fauna native to the area. Staff at the Centre
provide expert advice on points of interest in the area along with
information on the region’s history.
Cardwell’s Port Hinchinbrook provides
state of the art Marina, public boat ramp and repairs and maintenance
facilities for anglers and boaties. It is widely acknowledged that
Cardwell is ranked second to none when it comes to all weather
and all tide boating & fishing.
The Girringun
Aboriginal Cultural Centre is a great place to learn about the
aboriginal tribes of the region and how they maintain their relationship
with the natural environment.
Cardwell’s Forest Drive
through the Cardwell State Forest is where you’ll find the
quaint Attie Creek Falls and some spectacular swimming holes to
cool off in during those warmer days.
While the Cardwell region
produces sugar cane, bananas, pineapples and other tropical fruits,
it is also home to Prawn Farms – in fact, prawns farmed in
Cardwell were used at the wedding reception for Prince Frederick
and Princess Mary of Denmark.
For those who love fishing
Cardwell is renowned for its rewarding recreational fishing. You
can have a relaxing day fishing off the jetty or take a reef or
estuary fishing charter. Fishing competitions are held throughout
the year and the Port Hinchinbrook Fishing Classic held every September
attracts visitors from around the world.
From Cardwell
it’s a short ride on charter or private boat to Hinchinbrook
Island -the world’s largest island national park. Its long
sandy beaches and extensive mangrove areas makes Hinchinbrook Island
an environmental haven for Turtles, Dugongs and many other marine
creatures
Located on the eastern seaboard of Hinchinbrook
Island is the famous Thorsborne trail - a 32k wilderness walking
trek, said by some to be the best of the 7 great walks of the world.
Trail numbers are limited and camping grounds are provided in designated
areas.
Adjacent to Hinchinbrook are Goold and Garden
Island, the Family Group of Islands and the Brook islands each
with their own unparalleled charm.
Back on the mainland,
Blencoe falls provides spectacular scenery for your holiday photos
with its 91m spectral drop. It’s also considered one of North Queensland’s
best camping areas. By taking a leisurely walk you’ll have
the opportunity to see many species of butterflies that inhabit
the area along with other native wildlife
Waterfalls … National
Parks … State Forests … crystal clear swimming
holes … fishing … bush walking … or just
relaxing … With so many activities on offer, contact our
information centre where our friendly staff will assist you to
plan your stay in Cardwell … heart of the great green way
and pretty as a picture!
|
