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Cardwell Spa Pools, Queensland – Complete Guide
The Cardwell Spa Pools have long been a favorite swimming hole for locals, but are now considered a must-visit destination in Far North Queensland. A complete travel guide that contains everything you need to know! Cardwell Spa Pools is a naturally flowing, seasonal stream located on Cardwell Forest Drive, just minutes from the highway town. But what's so special about it? It's no secret that it's the unique tropical color of the water that draws the crowds. These deep, turquoise pools in the dry eucalyptus forest are a true oasis that begs to be photographed. If you're traveling along the East Coast...
Cardwell Spa Pools, Queensland – Complete Guide
The Cardwell Spa Pools have long been a favorite swimming hole for locals, but are now considered a must-visit destination in Far North Queensland. A complete travel guide that contains everything you need to know!
Cardwell Spa Pools is a naturally flowing, seasonal stream located on Cardwell Forest Drive, just minutes from the highway town. But what's so special about it?
It's no secret that it's the unique tropical color of the water that draws the crowds. These deep, turquoise pools in the dry eucalyptus forest are a true oasis that begs to be photographed.
If you're traveling along the East Coast, be sure to add the Cardwell Spa Pools to your list of things to do. Here's my complete guide to getting to the pools that should answer all your questions!
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Where is Cardwell Spa Pools?
The Cardwell Blue Pools are located on Cardwell Forest Drive, just 7 kilometers from the township of Cardwell. Cardwell is pretty much half way from Townsville to Cairns, about 180 kilometers from Cairns and 165 kilometers from Townsville.
How do I get here?
To get here you first need to head to Cardwell on the Bruce Highway. The pools are located on Cardwell Forest Drive, an unsealed loop with access points from Cardwell Golf Club and a little further north on Ellerbeck Road.
Once you reach the beginning of Forest Drive, all you have to do is follow the road until you see the small, almost hidden parking lot.
Although the road is unpaved, it is well graded and you can reach the Cardwell Spa Pools in a regular two-wheel drive sedan or hatchback. If you prefer to avoid the dirt roads, take the northern access on Ellerbeck Road (see map below) as this drive is shorter.
You can use Google Maps to help you navigate; the pen is accurate.
Map of Cardwell Spa Pools
Below I have included a map which is useful for getting to the Cardwell Spa Pools. It also contains a few more streams and viewpoints if you want to explore more of the area.
alt=“MAP OF CARDWELL SPA POOLS”>Source: FNQ
What to Expect at Cardwell Spa Pools
Once you arrive in the small, dirt parking lot, you're pretty much at the pools. No, there is no hike required to get here.
Almost immediately you will notice the unique turquoise or almost aqua tint of the water. The whole scene didn't really feel like it belonged in the dry woodlands of Cardwell - perhaps that's part of the charm.
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There is a man-made stone stack that forms the “spa,” as well as a tree stump that creates a perfect diving platform into the deep, blue pools.
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Unfortunately there isn't much space to sunbathe around the edges of the pool. However, you can go a little further upstream, although the water level here is much lower.
If you haven't thought about visiting the area, I highly recommend it! This unique seaside resort is just the tip of the iceberg - the Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook are one of the wildest places in Australia! You'll also find Australia's tallest waterfall hidden just a short drive away!
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Enter the Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle! I take this bottle with me on every hike and use it as my go-to for filtering water around the world. I even used it to drink tap water in India!
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Why is the Cardwell spa pool blue?
You know what, I was wondering that too. Apparently Cardwell Spa Pools get their unique blue color from the chemistry of the rocks and water.
The source of the stream's flow is mainly underground deposits rich in minerals such as magnesium and calcium. This results in the pools' unique blue tint, which can range from turquoise to a milky baby blue depending on the available light.
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Don't miss: Babinda Boulders (near Cairns)
More information
Are dogs allowed in the Cardwell Spa Pools?
Yes. The pools are located within the Cardwell Forest Reserves and are not designated as a national park. Therefore you can bring your four-legged pets with you. However, be sure to be responsible as platypuses and other types of wildlife call this place home.
What is the water level and depth?
Water levels in the Cardwell Spa Pools vary from season to season and after heavy rainstorms. In fact, the pools often dry out completely in the dry season! During the rainy season or if there has been some rain recently you will expect the depth to be more than 2 meters near the stump but much shallower upstream.
When is the best time to visit Cardwell Pools?
As it is a seasonal stream, the best time to visit Cardwell Spa Pools is between May and September. During the rainy season, heavy rains can cause the stream to overflow. However, as mentioned, during the dry season it can dry out completely if there has been no rain.
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Where to stay near Cardwell
If you're looking to stay in Cardwell, Kookaburra Holiday Park is a great option with good reviews.
Otherwise, Cardwell Beachcomber is nearby and has 9.2/10 reviews on Booking.com.
Camping near Cardwell Spa Pools
There is no designated campsite within Cardwell Forest Reserve or along the drive. However, there are some great places nearby.
A few camping highlights near waterfalls are Murray Falls and Blencoe Falls.
Resources: Free Options | Paid options
More: “Must-Visits” in Far North Queensland
I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting the famous Cardwell Spa Pools in Far North Queensland, Australia. Below I've included some links to other articles I've written about epic activities in the region. Enjoy!
MY CAMERA AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT
- Spiegellose Kamera: Canon R5
- Drohne: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- 360-Grad-Action-Kamera: Insta360 One X2
- Landschaftsobjektiv: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8L
- Allround-Objektiv: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
- Teleobjektiv: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4,5–7,1 L
- Lange Aktionsstange: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
- Landschaftslinsenfilter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
- Kamerarucksack: F-Stop Tilopa
- Lieblingsfotozubehör: Peak Design Capture Clip
For a list of my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why), check out my Travel Camera Gear Guide.
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