🔍

Cardwell

QLD 4849 • Rest of QLD

1,320
Population (2021)
$43,992
Median Household Income
31.62 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
CoastalHistoricTropicalRetirementNature

About Cardwell

Cardwell is a historic coastal town located on the shores of Rockingham Bay in Far North Queensland, approximately 170 kilometres north of Townsville. With a population of around 1,320 (2021 Census), it sits within the Cassowary Coast Regional Council area. Founded in 1864, Cardwell was the first port settlement on the Queensland coast north of Bowen and retains a strong sense of its pioneer heritage. The town is flanked by the Cardwell Range to the west and the Coral Sea to the east.

Cardwell is best known as the gateway to Hinchinbrook Island, Australia’s largest island national park. The town attracts retirees, sea-changers, and nature enthusiasts drawn to its relaxed tropical lifestyle, fishing, and access to World Heritage-listed rainforest and reef. The Cardwell Spa Pool, foreshore boardwalk, and nearby Girringun National Park are popular attractions. Local amenities include a small shopping strip, a pub, cafes, and essential services.

Cardwell falls under postcode 4849 and is governed by Cassowary Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hinchinbrook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4849
Urban Area
Cardwell
LGA / Council
Cassowary Coast
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hinchinbrook
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-18.27°, 146.00°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
31.62 km²
Elevation
140m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,278
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
60 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.6%

14 state housing + 13 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Cardwell Railway Station
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Greyhound/Premier — Cairns to Townsville (stop in Cardwell) 2.5 hrs to Townsville, 3 hrs to Cairns
  • Trans North — Local and regional bus services Varies

Commute to Townsville

Distance
170 km
By Train
3-4 hrs (Spirit of Queensland, limited schedule)
By Bus
2.5 hrs via Greyhound
By Car (Peak)
2 hrs via Bruce Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 50 min

🛣️ Car is the primary mode of transport. Long-distance rail and bus services are available but infrequent.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is compact and walkable, but a car is essential for accessing most services and attractions in the wider area.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cassowary Coast Local Government Area, which contains Cardwell. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
714 / 100k
2yr Down 31.9% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
201.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 11.2%
Non-FV assault
1,528.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 160.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
22.7 / 100k
2yr Up 240.4% 10yr Up 33.1%
Steal from vehicle
214.2 / 100k
2yr Down 16.6% 10yr Stable
View all offence categories for Cassowary Coast →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,309
Census 2021
1,320
▲ 0.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,532
Personal Income 2021
$26,416
▲ 3.5% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$26,416 / yr
$508/wk
Household
$43,992 / yr
$846/wk
Family
$60,944 / yr
$1172/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 965
Born Overseas 213

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 61
  • 2. Philippines 36
  • 3. New Zealand 32
  • 4. India 16
  • 5. United States 10
  • 6. Germany 9
  • 7. Scotland 8
  • 8. South Africa 8
  • 9. Nepal 4
  • 10. Netherlands 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 534
Australian 444
Scottish 155
Irish 141
Australian Aboriginal 109
German 76
Filipino 41
Italian 34
Dutch 16
Indian 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

810
Both parents born in Australia
260
Both parents born overseas
110
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.3%
No Religion
34.6%
Sikhism
0.6%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
39 (3.0%)
5-14 years
94 (7.1%)
15-19 years
40 (3.0%)
20-24 years
38 (2.9%)
25-34 years
94 (7.1%)
35-44 years
83 (6.3%)
45-54 years
136 (10.3%)
55-64 years
269 (20.4%)
65-74 years
300 (22.7%)
75-84 years
165 (12.5%)
85+ years
62 (4.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cardwell known for? +

Cardwell is best known as the gateway to Hinchinbrook Island, Australia's largest island national park. The town also offers excellent dugong and dolphin spotting in Rockingham Bay, great fishing, and a famous foreshore park with views across the island.

How far is Cardwell from Townsville? +

Cardwell is approximately 170 kilometres north of Townsville via the Bruce Highway, a drive of about two hours.

Does Cardwell have public transport? +

Cardwell is served by Queensland Rail's Tilt Train service on the Brisbane–Cairns route, and long-distance coaches stop here. For local travel within the area, a private vehicle is needed.

What is the population of Cardwell? +

The 2021 Census recorded approximately 1,320 residents in Cardwell, a small Cassowary Coast township that has seen recovery since the devastation of Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

Is Cardwell a good place to live? +

Cardwell offers an enviable tropical coastal lifestyle for retirees, sea-changers, and nature lovers. Its access to Hinchinbrook Island, recreational fishing, and peaceful Rockingham Bay foreshore make it one of North Queensland's most scenic small towns.

What is the postcode for Cardwell? +

The postcode for Cardwell is 4849, covering the Cardwell area of Queensland's Cassowary Coast Region.

What is the average income in Cardwell? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cardwell is about $508 per week (around $26,400 per year). The median household income is $846 per week and the median family income is $1,172 per week.

What is the age profile of Cardwell? +

The median age in Cardwell is 60. The largest age group is 65–74 (300 residents, around 23%). Around 13% of residents are under 20 and about 40% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cardwell a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Cardwell is part of the Cassowary Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Cardwell? +

In Cardwell, the median weekly rent is $250, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,278 (2021 Census).