Camping near Cardwell

The Northern Queensland town of Cardwell is in a convenient location on the coastal Great Green Way driving route that connects Townsville and Cairns, and on the Cassowary Coast. It’s also the gateway to Australia’s largest national park, Hinchinbrook Island, as well as the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and the wet tropics world heritage area. In short, there’s a lot to see and do around little Cardwell. Campers in Cardwell can choose between well-equipped coastal holiday parks in the town, as well as wilder campsites in the many national parks and forests in the wider area, including offshore Hinchinbrook Island. While Cardwell itself isn’t a beach destination–its foreshore is muddy and infested with crocodiles—the beaches of Hinchinbrook are spectacular.

Australia’s largest national park, Hinchinbrook Island can be accessed by boat from Cardwell, either private vessels or water shuttles that take people to and from the Thorsborne Trail. Campers on Hinchinbrook can choose between coastal and forest sites, but all are accessible only by boat or kayak and are suitable only for tent camping. Most are very basic and do not offer any facilities, while a few have toilets and picnic tables. Camping permits are required, and there are fees.

Unlike much of the rest of Australia, tropical Northern Queensland experiences two main seasons—the wet and the dry—rather than four. The wet season is the hottest, and while it’s not necessarily a bad time to visit, you should expect high humidity and for some natural areas to be inaccessible due to the weather, including flooding. The dry season coincides with winter in southern parts of Australia so it’s a popular time to visit to escape the cold, and weather conditions are ideal for camping and outdoor activities.