Cardwell, Queensland

The Bruce Highway National Highway 1 and the North Coast railway line are the dominant transport routes; connecting with the Queensland provincial cities of Cairns and Townsville. Cardwell railway station in Bowen Street serves the town ({{coord|-18.2679|146.0282|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell railway station}}).{{Cite web|date=2 October 2020|title=Railway stations and sidings - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005070354/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd|archive-date=5 October 2020|access-date=5 October 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

The town is a long narrow strip hugging the coast with Greenwood Hill immediately to the west of the town ({{coord|-18.2638|146.0153|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Greenwood Hill}}) rising to {{Convert|64|m}} above sea level.{{cite QPN|14822|Greenwood Hill|mountain in Cassowary Coast Region|access-date=25 November 2020}} File:Cardwell Victoria Street 2.jpg

File:Cardwell Victoria Street 1.jpg

File:Cardwell Divisional Board Hall, 2008.jpg

File:Cardwell Hinchinbrook Channel.jpg

File:CardwellQueenslandOct312024 02.jpgWest of Cardwell the rugged topography of the Cardwell Range intercepts the trade winds resulting in high rainfall. The coastal escarpment is covered in rainforest which transitions to the west to eucalypt woodland and tropical savanna. Cardwell Range biodiversity has been protected by the introduction of Forestry Reserves, National Parks and Queensland World Heritage Wet Tropics Areas.

Seaward lies the Hinchinbrook Channel ({{coord|-18.2738

|146.0631|type:waterbody_region:AU-QLD|name=Hinchinbrook Channel}}) and Rockingham Bay ({{coord|-18.2384|146.0604|type:waterbody_region:AU-QLD|name=Rockingham Bay}}) which are both are part of the Coral Sea. The Great Barrier Reef is further off-shore to the east.{{Cite web|date=12 November 2020|title=Bays - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/7e779892-24a1-481f-ac87-7f371f7b3745|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125063709/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/7e779892-24a1-481f-ac87-7f371f7b3745|archive-date=25 November 2020|access-date=25 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

Islands are visible from Cardwell including protected areas i.e. Hinchinbrook Island, Goold Island and the Brook Islands Group.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Image:CardwellQueenslandOct312024 01.jpg, view from Cardwell Jetty.]]

Oyster Point is one kilometre south of Cardwell ({{coord|-18.2773|146.0494|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Oyster Point}}).{{cite QPN|25716|Oyster Point|point in Cassowary Coast Regional|access-date=26 December 2020}} This location experienced one of Australia's important conservation battles.{{cite web |url=http://www.greenleft.org.au/1998/302/22149 |title=Port Hinchinbrook resort protest |access-date=7 March 2008 |year=1998 |work=Green Left Weekly |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803190706/http://www.greenleft.org.au/1998/302/22149 |archive-date=3 August 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} With the establishment of Port Hinchinbrook, the Marina Public Boat Ramp provides year-round access to the protected marine environments of Hinchinbrook Channel, Estuaries, Islands and Great Barrier Reef. The Cardwell Jetty is an important infrastructure asset, where visitors can socialize and view the coastal scenery; and anglers can enjoy both day and evening fishing activities.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Cardwell, Queensland (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present)

|Jan record high C= 41.7

|Feb record high C= 41.8

|Mar record high C= 38.7

|Apr record high C= 34.7

|May record high C= 31.7

|Jun record high C= 31.1

|Jul record high C= 30.2

|Aug record high C= 32.5

|Sep record high C= 36.0

|Oct record high C= 36.6

|Nov record high C= 40.0

|Dec record high C= 42.6

|year record high C= 42.6

| Jan high C = 31.4

| Feb high C = 31.3

| Mar high C = 30.7

| Apr high C = 29.1

| May high C = 26.9

| Jun high C = 25.2

| Jul high C = 24.7

| Aug high C = 25.5

| Sep high C = 27.4

| Oct high C = 28.6

| Nov high C = 30.0

| Dec high C = 31.1

| year high C = 28.5

| Jan mean C = 27.6

| Feb mean C = 27.6

| Mar mean C = 26.8

| Apr mean C = 25.1

| May mean C = 22.9

| Jun mean C = 20.8

| Jul mean C = 19.9

| Aug mean C = 20.5

| Sep mean C = 22.6

| Oct mean C = 24.4

| Nov mean C = 26.0

| Dec mean C = 27.2

| year mean C = 24.3

| Jan low C = 23.7

| Feb low C = 23.8

| Mar low C = 22.9

| Apr low C = 21.1

| May low C = 18.8

| Jun low C = 16.4

| Jul low C = 15.1

| Aug low C = 15.6

| Sep low C = 17.8

| Oct low C = 20.1

| Nov low C = 22.0

| Dec low C = 23.3

| year low C = 20.1

|Jan record low C = 17.2

|Feb record low C = 16.8

|Mar record low C = 14.4

|Apr record low C = 11.0

|May record low C = 6.1

|Jun record low C = 3.3

|Jul record low C = 2.8

|Aug record low C = 4.2

|Sep record low C = 6.5

|Oct record low C = 9.2

|Nov record low C = 14.4

|Dec record low C = 15.1

|year record low C = 2.8

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 427.0

| Feb precipitation mm = 499.8

| Mar precipitation mm = 342.0

| Apr precipitation mm = 161.6

| May precipitation mm = 90.9

| Jun precipitation mm = 36.7

| Jul precipitation mm = 37.2

| Aug precipitation mm = 23.8

| Sep precipitation mm = 49.9

| Oct precipitation mm = 65.0

| Nov precipitation mm = 126.0

| Dec precipitation mm = 208.5

| year precipitation mm = 2068.4

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 16.5

| Feb precipitation days = 15.9

| Mar precipitation days = 14.7

| Apr precipitation days = 14.2

| May precipitation days = 10.2

| Jun precipitation days = 6.4

| Jul precipitation days = 5.7

| Aug precipitation days = 4.7

| Sep precipitation days = 4.5

| Oct precipitation days = 6.0

| Nov precipitation days = 8.9

| Dec precipitation days = 11.9

| year precipitation days = 119.6

| Jan dew point C = 24.2

| Feb dew point C = 24.4

| Mar dew point C = 23.2

| Apr dew point C = 21.7

| May dew point C = 19.3

| Jun dew point C = 17.1

| Jul dew point C = 16.3

| Aug dew point C = 16.9

| Sep dew point C = 19.1

| Oct dew point C = 20.6

| Nov dew point C = 22.1

| Dec dew point C = 23.5

| year dew point C = 20.7

| source 1 = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/archive/arc0216/0253808/4.4/data/0-data/Region-5-WMO-Normals-9120/Australia/CSV/Cardwell_94292.csv

|title = CARDWELL Climate Normals for 1991-2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = August 3, 2024}}

| source 2 = Bureau of Meteorology{{Cite web

|title=Climate statistics for Australian locations

|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology

|access-date=3 August 2024

|url= http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_032004_All.shtml }}

}}

The Aboriginal heritage is defined by Language Groups; the boundary of the Dyirbal and Warrgamay lies between Cardwell and Tully in the north.

Warrgamay (also known as Waragamai, Wargamay, Wargamaygan, Biyay, and Warakamai) is an Australian Aboriginal language in North Queensland. The language region includes the Herbert River area, Ingham, Hawkins Creek, Long Pocket, Herbert Vale, Niagara Vale, Yamanic Creek, Herbert Gorge, Cardwell, Hinchinbrook Island and the adjacent mainland.{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/140|title=Warrgamay|author=|date=|website=Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map|access-date=5 February 2020}}

Girramay (also known as Giramay, Garamay, Giramai, Keramai) is a language of Far North Queensland, particularly the area around Herbert River Catchment taking in the towns of Cardwell and Ingham. The Girramay language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook Regional Councils.{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/61?embed=true|title=Indigenous languages map of Queensland|author=|date=|website=State Library of Queensland|access-date=5 February 2020}}

The first Europeans settled in the area in January 1864 in order to create a port initially called "Port Hinchinbrook". Subsequently, the town was renamed Cardwell later in 1864 by explorer George Elphinstone Dalrymple after Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell, the Secretary of State for the Colonies at that time.

Cardwell was the first port settlement on the Queensland coast north of Port Denison (Bowen). The first party of non-indigenous people to settle at Rockingham Bay arrived in January 1864 and was led by George Elphinstone Dalrymple.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51563867 |title=The New Settlement at Rockingham Bay. |newspaper=Rockhampton Bulletin and Central Queensland Advertiser |date=25 August 1864 |access-date=17 April 2012 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091522/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51563867 |url-status=live }} They were 20 in number including James Morrill, William Alcock Tully, botanist John Dallachy, Arthur Jervoise Scott, Lieut. Marlow of the Native Police and his troopers Norman, Archy and Warbragen. Dalrymple also brought his "black boy" servant, an Aboriginal man from Stradbroke Island that he called "Cockey". They came from Bowen on the small schooner Policeman which was under the command of ex-Native Police officer Captain Walter Powell, with the 3 ton cutter Heather Bell in tow.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60557195 |title=The New Settlement At Rockingham Bay. |newspaper=The Empire |location=Sydney |date=11 August 1864 |access-date=17 April 2012 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091522/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60557195 |url-status=live }}

Dalrymple's main purpose in establishing a settlement in Rockingham Bay was to create a port as close as possible to the Valley of Lagoons Station of which he was part owner. Very soon after disembarking from the Policeman, he endeavoured to create a road from the coast to the Valley of Lagoons largely by expanding already existing native paths. A few miles inland from the landing site was an Aboriginal village and bora ground surrounded by native banana plantations that reminded Dalrymple of villages in Ceylon. The Warrgamay people in the area and on nearby Hinchinbrook Island were described as numerous and having some of the largest spears, shields and wooden swords ever recorded in Australia. Having told the local people through his interpreter that he had come to take possession of their lands, Dalrymple bizarrely expressed frustration at the supposed inability of the aboriginals to understand the concept of "Thou shalt not steal".{{cite journal|last1=Dalrymple|first1=G.E.|title=On the New Settlement at Rockingham Bay|journal=The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London|date=1865|volume=35|pages=191–212|jstor=3698090}} James Morrill was more factual in his account of the founding of Cardwell writing that "I then said to [the natives] that they must clear out ... as we wished to occupy the land and would shoot any who approached, that we were strong and that another party would soon follow", and he also described how a group of Aboriginals "were set upon suddenly by Dalrymple's men and rather cut up."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150315942 |title=JOURNAL OF AN EXPEDITION TO ROCKINGHAM BAY. |newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser |volume=IV |issue=179 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=21 April 1864 |access-date=26 September 2017 |page=1 (Maryborough Chronicle, SUPPLEMENT) |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091523/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150315942 |url-status=live }}

Cardwell Post Office opened on 10 July 1864.{{Cite web | last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Premier Postal Auctions | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | access-date = 10 May 2014 | archive-date = 15 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140515223132/http://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | url-status = live }}

In March 1865, Lieutenant Blakeney and seven troopers of the Native Police spent two days clearing the area around Cardwell of Aboriginal presence by "burning camps and dispersing the natives."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51567521 |title=ROCKINGHAM BAY. |newspaper=Rockhampton Bulletin And Central Queensland Advertiser |issue=426 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=8 April 1865 |access-date=26 September 2017 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091523/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51567521 |url-status=live }}

In the late 1860s and early 1870s, Cardwell became a transport hub for prospectors heading to the Etheridge Shire goldfields {{Convert|200|km}} inland from the town. Captain John Moresby visited Cardwell in 1871 and wrote that "various tribes of aborigines roam about the vicinity, and not unnaturally regard the white men, who are rapidly dispossessing them of their homes, as mortal enemies. They ... suffer terrible retaliation at the hands of our countrymen, who employ native troopers, commanded by white men to hunt down and destroy the offenders when the opportunity offers".{{cite book|last1=Moresby|first1=John|title=New Guinea and Polynesia. Discoveries and Surveys.|date=1876|publisher=John Murray|location=London|url=https://archive.org/stream/newguineapolynes00moreiala?ref=ol#page/n37/mode/2up|access-date=20 August 2017}}

In January 1872, two British dugong fishermen named Henry Smith and Charles Clements were killed at nearby Goold Island by resident Aboriginals. Wet weather prevented an immediate punitive expedition of four boats of armed local white men who were eager that "the blacks" be "taught that what they do is punishable by death".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123619849 |title=CARDWELL. |newspaper=Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser |volume=XI |issue=1517 |date=17 February 1872 |access-date=9 September 2017 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091523/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/123619849 |url-status=live }} However, within the same month the Native Police forces of Sub-Inspectors Crompton and Johnstone completed a punitive mission and returned to Cardwell with three young Aboriginal children from the island. The eldest of the children was ten and "they were given away in Cardwell to domesticate them."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1323665 |title=THE BLACKS OF GOULD ISLAND. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |volume=XXVI |issue=4,535 |date=12 April 1872 |access-date=9 September 2017 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091524/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1323665 |url-status=live }}

Cardwell Provisional School opened on 1 October 1870, becoming Cardwell State School on 22 August 1887.{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}

Murray River Provisional School opened circa 1893 and closed in 1904. Its location was described as "via Cardwell".

In 1985, it was proposed to build an integrated marina and resort called Port Hinchinbrook at Oyster Point south of the town. The proposal encountered many environmental objections and financial collapse of one of the development companies, before construction commenced in 1999.{{Cite web|title=Chapter 2 - Description of Port Hinchinbrook|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Completed_inquiries/1999-02/hinchinbrook/report/c02|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Australian Parliament|language=en-AU|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602171714/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Completed_inquiries/1999-02/hinchinbrook/report/c02}} The long-running controversy led to the Australian Senate establishing an inquiry in May 1998 to try to understand the roles of the regulatory processes of the three levels of government in the approval for the development and what might be learned from the experience and how processes might be improved.{{Cite web|title=Chapter 1 - Overview|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Completed_inquiries/1999-02/hinchinbrook/report/c01|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Australian Parliament|language=en-AU|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602171714/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/Completed_inquiries/1999-02/hinchinbrook/report/c01}}

The Cardwell Library opened in 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live|access-date=31 January 2018|df=dmy-all}}

Cardwell suffered significant damage from Cyclone Yasi, a category 5 cyclone, in February 2011.

{{cite news|date=3 February 2011|title=Cardwell decimated by Cyclone Yasi|work=The Cairns Post|url=http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/02/03/147715_cyclone.html|url-status=live|access-date=3 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206105513/http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/02/03/147715_cyclone.html|archive-date=6 February 2011|df=dmy-all}}

(4 February 2011).[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/04/3130498.htm?site=news Weary residents begin cyclone clean-up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207071026/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/04/3130498.htm?site=news|date=7 February 2011}}. ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved on 17 April 2012. The marina and the boats within it were destroyed. As at 2019, ongoing legal disputes have prevented work on rebuilding the marina.{{Cite web|date=2019-05-22|title=Port Hinchinbrook court decision may be appealed again|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-22/port-hinchinbrook-may-be-back-in-limbo/11137038|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201203600/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-22/port-hinchinbrook-may-be-back-in-limbo/11137038}}

In 2013, the Cardwell community began being the target of an online hoax, which claimed the town's Christmas lights competition had been cancelled to appease the local Muslim community, forcing Cassowary Coast Regional Council to publicly debunk the rumours.Fernbach, Nathalie; Hession, Pat [http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/12/03/3904218.htm Hoax won't dim Cardwell's Christmas lights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208002825/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/12/03/3904218.htm|date=8 December 2017}}, ABC North Queensland, 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2017. Despite this, the hoax continues to circulate on social media.Wivell, Danaella [http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/facebook-post-claims-christmas-lights-banned-in-cairns-this-year/news-story/91729be1b263c2db89412a6947c4949e Facebook post claims Christmas lights banned in Cairns this year] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091523/https://www.cairnspost.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CPWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cairnspost.com.au%2Fnews%2Fcairns%2Ffacebook-post-claims-christmas-lights-banned-in-cairns-this-year%2Fnews-story%2F91729be1b263c2db89412a6947c4949e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=60e31da4f8733f5adba5fd53b9cdf235-1619342123 |date=25 April 2021 }}, The Cairns Post, 25 August 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017. The hoax originated from an Islamophobic post on the "Meanwhile in Australia" Facebook page, which subsequently went viral. The post detailing the bogus information specifically named the Al Shalalah mosque as the source of the complaint, but such a mosque does not exist in Cardwell.Jacques, Owen [https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/christmas-lights-banned-muslims-not-our-town/2101685 Christmas lights banned for Muslims? Not in our town] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202203409/https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/christmas-lights-banned-muslims-not-our-town/2101685/|date=2 December 2017}}, The Daily Mercury, 2 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2017. The information contained within the post was also debunked by fact-checking websites such as snopes.com and Hoax Slayer.[https://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/cardwell.asp Christmas lights banned in Cardwell? FALSE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091524/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/light-touch/ |date=25 April 2021 }}, snopes.com. Accessed 2 December 2017.[http://www.hoax-slayer.com/hoax-cardwell-christmas-lights-ban.shtml Christmas lights were NOT banned in Cardwell] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924152335/http://www.hoax-slayer.com/hoax-cardwell-christmas-lights-ban.shtml|date=24 September 2017}}, Hoax Slayer website. Accessed 2 December 2017. Although the original post was deleted, screenshots of the post continue to be shared on social media.[http://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/-/christmas-lights-ban-in-cardwell-a-hoax Christmas lights ban in Cardwell a hoax] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203082724/http://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/-/christmas-lights-ban-in-cardwell-a-hoax|date=3 December 2017}}, Cassowary Coast Regional Council website. Accessed 2 December 2017. Contrary to the sentiment shared in the fake post, the then Cassowary Coast mayor Bill Shannon said that he had received phone calls from Muslim leaders from as far away as Sydney encouraging Cardwell to continue with their Christmas light displays.

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Cardwell had a population of 1,309 people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 8.9% of the population. 72.5% of people were born in Australia and 83.0% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 25.6%, Catholic 22.6% and Anglican 20.6%.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30541|name=Cardwell (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Cardwell had a population of 1,320 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30537|name=Cardwell (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

File:Cardwell Shire Council Chambers, Cardwell, 1911.jpg

Cardwell has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Valley of Lagoons Road, Damper Creek: Stone Bridge, Dalrymple Gap Track{{cite QHR|15168|Stone Bridge, Dalrymple Gap Track|600393|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• 51 Victoria Street: Cardwell Divisional Board Hall (later Cardwell Shire Hall){{cite QHR|16505|Cardwell Divisional Board Hall (former) and Honour Board|601768|access-date=7 July 2013}}
• 53 Victoria Street: Cardwell Post Office (now the Cardwell Bush Telegraph heritage centre){{cite QHR|15167|Cardwell Post Office – Residence (former)|600392|access-date=7 July 2013}}

Cardwell also has a granite monument erected in memory of Walter Jervoise Scott, a pioneer of the Valley of Lagoons. The monument was sent from Great Britain by his brothers intended for his grave at Valley of Lagoons. On arrival at Cardwell, it was found to be too large to transport up the rough track to Valley of Lagoons, so it was erected in Cardwell instead.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23121883 |title="CARAVAN TALES.". |newspaper=The Queenslander |date=24 April 1930 |access-date=26 March 2014 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091525/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23121883 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Bolton|first=G. C.|title=Scott, Walter Jervoise (1835–1890)|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/scott-walter-jervoise-4550|work=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=National Centre for Biography, Australian National University|access-date=25 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324064344/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/scott-walter-jervoise-4550|archive-date=24 March 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

Cardwell State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 43 Victoria Street ({{coord|-18.2687|146.0308|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell State School}}).{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|publisher=Queensland Government|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archive-date=21 November 2018}}{{cite web|title=Cardwell State School|url=https://www.cardwellss.eq.edu.au|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424172519/http://cardwellss.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 108 students with 6 teachers (5 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|archive-date=22 November 2018|access-date=22 November 2018}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 80 students with 5 teachers (4 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|url-status=live}}

There is no secondary school in Cardwell. The nearest government secondary school is Tully State High School in Tully to the north.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=25 April 2021}}

Cardwell Police Station is at 49 Victoria Street ({{coord|-18.2679|146.0299|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Police Station}}).{{Cite web|date=18 November 2020|title=Emergency services facilities - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124224500/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6|archive-date=24 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web|title=Cardwell Station|url=https://www.police.qld.gov.au/station/cardwell-station|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Queensland Police|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328043309/https://www.police.qld.gov.au/station/cardwell-station}}{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-18.2678226,146.0301915,3a,37.5y,263.25h,87.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scPs57ZDbppzZFyv8mC--HA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656|access-date=25 April 2021|title=Cardwell Police Station}}

Cardwell Fire Station is at 2 Panos Street ({{coord|-18.2667|146.0264|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Fire Station}}).{{Cite web|title=Far Northern Region|url=https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/about/structure/regions/Pages/fnr.aspx|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Queensland Fire and Emergency Services|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128111520/https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/about/structure/regions/Pages/fnr.aspx}}

Cardwell SES Facility is in Gregory Street ({{coord|-18.2576|146.0119|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell SES Facility}}).

Cardwell Community Health Centre is at 226 Victoria Street ({{coord|-18.2555|146.0168|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Community Health Centre}}).{{Cite web|date=18 November 2020|title=Landmark Areas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121195536/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12|archive-date=21 November 2020|access-date=21 October 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web|title=Cardwell Community Health Centre|url=https://www.health.qld.gov.au/services/townsville/tville_cardwell_hc|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Queensland Health|language=en-AU|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418112509/https://www.health.qld.gov.au/services/townsville/tville_cardwell_hc}} Cardwell Ambulance Station is at 222–224 Victoria Street, adjacent to the health centre ({{coord|-18.2557|146.0169|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Ambulance Station}}).

Cardwell Cemetery is in Gregory Street ({{coord|-18.2570|146.0107|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Cemetery}}).{{Cite web|date=12 November 2020|title=Cemetery Areas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115100513/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b|archive-date=15 November 2020|access-date=12 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}} It is managed by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.{{Cite web|title=Regional Cemeteries|url=https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/services-facilities/regional-cemeteries|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Cassowary Coast Regional Council|language=en|archive-date=19 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319015354/https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/services-facilities/regional-cemeteries}}

Cardwell Coast Guard is at 1 Victoria Street ({{coord|-18.2719|146.0342|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Coast Guard}}). It is a branch of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard.{{Cite web|date=2018-06-09|title=QF23 Cardwell|url=https://coastguard.com.au/flotilla/qf23-cardwell/|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Australian Volunteer Coast Guard|language=en-US|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303034826/https://coastguard.com.au/flotilla/qf23-cardwell/|url-status=live}}{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-18.2711865,146.0343908,3a,15y,254.35h,96.18t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1svUeSzFZJzJrifD8C-zeSTA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DvUeSzFZJzJrifD8C-zeSTA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D322.58496%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192|access-date=25 April 2021|title=Cardwell Coast Guard}}

The Cassowary Coast Regional Council operates a public library at 4 Balliol Street ({{Coord|-18.2675|146.0287|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell public library}}).{{Cite web|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/cassowary_coast/cardwell_library|title=Cardwell Library|date=19 December 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131140855/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/cassowary_coast/cardwell_library|archive-date=31 January 2018|url-status=live|access-date=31 January 2018|df=dmy-all}}

Cardwell Post Office is at 1 Brasenose Street ({{coord|-18.2662|146.0278|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Post Office}}).{{Cite web|date=17 November 2020|title=Building points - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/buildings-queensland-series/resource/7f713bcb-e884-4edc-a292-9b6dfa955d71|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125050838/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/buildings-queensland-series/resource/7f713bcb-e884-4edc-a292-9b6dfa955d71|archive-date=25 November 2020|access-date=25 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web|title=Cardwell LPO|url=https://auspost.com.au/locate/post-office/qld/cardwell/4849/cardwell-lpo-434386|url-status=live|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Australia Post|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425091524/https://auspost.com.au/locate/post-office/qld/cardwell/4849/cardwell-lpo-434386}}{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-18.2660377,146.0277,3a,75y,126.57h,90.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seOP4rdjJD5i8Mgo3p3HaCw!2e0!7i3328!8i1664|access-date=25 April 2021|title=Cardwell Post Office}}

Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church is at 121 Victoria Street ({{Coord|-18.2648|146.0263|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Our Lady Start of the Sea Catholic Church}}). It is within the Tully Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.{{Cite web|title=Tully Parish|url=http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/parishes/tully.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118120307/http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/parishes/tully.html|archive-date=18 November 2020|access-date=18 November 2020|website=Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns}}{{Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-18.2644154,146.0263329,3a,41.5y,179.42h,90.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHth9oM63vtVzv3zYph1N-g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656|access-date=25 April 2021|title=Our Lady Staar of the Sea Catholic Church}}

Cardwell Country Club is at 23 Gregory Street ({{coord|-18.2693|146.0254|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Country Club}}).{{Cite web|date=17 November 2020|title=Building areas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023081052/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f|archive-date=23 October 2020|access-date=17 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}} It has an 18-hole golf course and a lawn bowls green.{{Cite web|title=Golf Club|url=https://cardwellcountryclub.com/sports-clubs/golf-club/|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Cardwell Country Club|language=en-AU|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122063043/https://cardwellcountryclub.com/sports-clubs/golf-club/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Bowls Club|url=https://cardwellcountryclub.com/sports-clubs/bowls-club/|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Cardwell Country Club|language=en-AU|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122053650/https://cardwellcountryclub.com/sports-clubs/bowls-club/|url-status=live}}

Port Hinchinbrook (also known as Cardwell Marina) is a {{convert|10.6|ha|adj=on}} marina in Front Street ({{coord|-18.2783|146.0449|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Port Hinchinbrook (Cardwell Marina)}}).{{Cite web|date=18 November 2020|title=Marinas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/fe3cf05b-5e9a-4c3c-bd6f-a26454085913|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124221148/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/fe3cf05b-5e9a-4c3c-bd6f-a26454085913|archive-date=24 November 2020|access-date=24 October 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

Port Hinchbrook boat ramp and floating walkway is in Foxtail Avenue ({{coord|-18.2830|146.0441|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Port Hinchinbrook boat ramp and floating walkway}}). They are managed by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.{{Cite web|date=12 November 2020|title=Recreational Boating Facilities Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/recreational-boating-facilities-queensland/resource/60ce6cc3-af0c-4806-bc8c-ab0ee981819c|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122210008/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/recreational-boating-facilities-queensland/resource/60ce6cc3-af0c-4806-bc8c-ab0ee981819c|archive-date=22 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

There is a boat ramp in Sheridan Street ({{coord|-18.2567|146.0210|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Sheridan Street boat ramp}}). It is managed by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

Cardwell jetty is opposite 315A Victoria Street at the north end of Hinchinbrook Channel ({{coord|-18.2632|146.0257|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell jetty}}). It is managed by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

Cardwell Bush Telegraph Heritage Centre is one of the oldest buildings in North Queensland,{{cite web|title=Cardwell Post Office – Residence (former)|url=http://www.heritage.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahpi/record.pl?QLD600392|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121129035610/http://www.heritage.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahpi/record.pl?QLD600392|archive-date=29 November 2012|access-date=20 April 2012|publisher=Australian Heritage Places Inventory|df=dmy-all}} and part of a precinct of heritage buildings operated as a museum at 53 Victoria Street ({{coord|-18.2676|146.0296|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Bush Telegraph Heritage Centre}}).{{Cite web|title=Museums|url=https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/our-community/museums|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Cassowary Coast Regional Council|language=en|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309093513/https://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/our-community/museums}}

Cardwell Lookout is at the end of Braenose Street ({{coord|-18.2831|146.0241|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cardwell Lookout}}).{{Cite web|date=18 November 2020|title=Tourist points - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/c0b6c26c-6bde-452c-b60a-d77b969b60d2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124222328/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/c0b6c26c-6bde-452c-b60a-d77b969b60d2|archive-date=24 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}} It provides panoramic views of the town and ocean beyond.{{Cite web|title=Forest Drive|url=https://visithinchinbrook.com.au/forestdrive/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Visit Hinchinbrook – Cardwell & Hinchinbrook Tours|language=en-US|archive-date=29 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329044944/https://visithinchinbrook.com.au/forestdrive/}}

• Isidor Lissner, politician
• John Murray, police inspector
• Ashleigh Southern, water polo player
• Margaret Thorsborne, naturalist, conservationist and environmental activist

• Cardwell railway station

{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons category}}

{{EB1911 poster|Cardwell}}

• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/cardwell|title=Cardwell|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
• {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-cardwell-1982.jpg|title=Town map of Cardwell|date=1982|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• [http://www.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/cardwell-library Cardwell Library]

{{Cassowary Coast Region}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Coastal towns in Queensland

Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Populated places in Far North Queensland

Category:Cassowary Coast Region

Category:Localities in Queensland

Category:Cassowary Coast Local Heritage Places