Cardwell, Queensland

Cardwell Queensland
File:Cardwell Welcome.jpg Entrance to Cardwell, Highway 1
Cardwell
Coordinates
Population	1,250 (2006 census)
Postcode(s)	4849
Elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Location	1,497 km (930 mi) NW of Brisbane 165 km (103 mi) NW of Townsville 95 km (59 mi) S of Innisfail 53 km (33 mi) N of Ingham
LGA(s)	Cassowary Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Hinchinbrook
Federal Division(s)	Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 28.7 °C 84 °F 18.8 °C 66 °F 2,118.6 mm 83.4 in

Cardwell is a tropical coastal town in northeastern Queensland. It is located at the southern extremity of the Cassowary Coast. At the 2006 census, Cardwell had a population of 1,250. 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 suffered significant damage from Cyclone Yasi, a category 5 cyclone, in February 2011.

Geography

West 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 Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef and Lagoon, Rockingham Bay and Hinchinbrook Channel. Islands are visible from Cardwell including protected areas i.e. Hinchinbrook Island, Goold Island and the Brook Islands Group.

Oyster Point is one kilometre south of Cardwell. This location experienced one of Australia's important conservation battles. 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.

History

The Aboriginal heritage is defined by Language Groups; the boundary of the Dyirbal and Warrgamay lies between Cardwell and Tully in the north. 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 after Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell.

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. They were 20 in number and they came from Bowen on the small schooner Policeman with the 3 ton cutter Heather Bell in tow.

Cardwell Post Office opened on 10 July 1864.

Heritage listings

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

Cardwell Divisional Board Hall (later Cardwell Shire Chambers), 1911

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

• Valley of Lagoons Road: Stone Bridge, Dalrymple Gap Track
• 51 Victoria Street: Cardwell Divisional Board Hall (former) and Honour Board
• 53 Victoria Street: Cardwell Post Office - Residence (former)

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.

Notable residents

• Ashleigh Southern, water polo player
• Margaret Thorsborne, naturalist, conservationist and environmental activist

See also

• The Cardwell Bush Telegraph heritage centre, one of the oldest buildings in North Queensland, is located at the southern end of the town.
• Cardwell railway station

External links

• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Cardwell