Cardwell, Queensland

Cardwell township is at the north end of Hinchinbook Channel, which runs for 45km between Hinchinbrook Island and the mainland.

Cardwell is about 200km south of Cairns, about half way between Cairns and Townsville.

The Cardwell region has boat ramps that give boating access to the channel, the Great Barrier Reef and, importantly, to Missionary Bay on the northern end of Hinchinbrook Island.

Goold Island lies 16km from Cardwell. Further out are the Brook Islands, but these are in a green zone.

While the channel and Missionary Bay are arguably the main fishing attractions out of Cardwell, there is offshore fishing 50km out at Kennedy Shoal and a little further at Otter Reef. These are part of the Great Barrier Reef.

The island’s Missionary Bay is a 25km run from Cardwell, but you’ll travel much further exploring the various creeks, so take plenty of fuel.

The shallow creeks and flats produce estuary fish, with sight fishing opportunities for barramundi, queenfish, trevally and more.

The bay should only be visited in calm weather, it is in the lee of south-easters but the 5km channel crossing can be rough.

Much of Hinchinbrook Channel is relatively sheltered, with hundreds of kilometres of mangrove-lined creeks to explore.

Closer to Cardwell, Port Hinchinbrook rock walls produce big barramundi, cod, mangrove jacks, bream and trevally.

As well as great fishing, the channel has superb scenery, with a backdrop of rainforest-covered mountains.

This tropical location has heavy rainfall and high humidity in summer, and cooler dry weather in winter.

The area is sometimes hit by summer cyclones, which bring prolonged heavy rain that is good for fishing on the long term, but a deluge of fresh water can knock the fishing out for a while.

Species caught in the channel and island creeks include barramundi, queenfish, salmon, mangrove jacks, trevally, permit, fingermark, grunter and cod.

Mud crabs and prawns are usually abundant, with seasonal variations.

The channel is a huge area, about 6km across at its widest point, so there are usually places to fish away from other boats.

Prevailing winds at the time may help choose your location.

Casting baits or lures to the mouths of mud drains as the tide flows out is an effective method for catching barramundi during bigger tides.

Trolling quietly up creeks also works well on smaller tides when the water is clear. An electric motor is useful for this.

On a large incoming tide look for baitfish or predator activity along flats edges.

Drifting along creeks with the current and casting lures to snags is a very popular fishing method for catching barramundi, mangrove jacks and cod.

Rocky foreshores and rock walls are always worth fishing.

The water in the channel, depending on prevailing winds, can be quite clear on the flats, allowing for good sight fishing.

Local sardines, herring and small mullet are the ideal livebaits and will almost always produce fish if dropped at a creek mouth or near a decent snag.

Deep grounds yield fingermark and jewfish.

Though Hinchinbrook tides are not huge, with 3m of movement being a big tide within the channel, strong currents flow, so fish deeper areas at the turn of the tide.

Use a sounder to locate bottom fish.

Avoid crossing the channel when wind and tide are opposed, as it may be rough.

The channel really fires after big wet seasons, when the freshwater has subsided.

Dry years bring slower fishing as the bait cycle winds down.

Cyclones produce fallen mangrove timber, and the horizontal logs often hold a barramundi or two, or mangrove jacks.

This area has large crocodiles, so take care when fishing. Crocs can show up on seaward beaches too.

There is no nearby stocked dam in this area, the nearest is Koombooloomba located further north towards Cairns.

Get the best Hinchinbrook fishing spots in the North Australian FISH FINDER book of fishing maps.

Cardwell boat ramps

There are four ramps in this area, at Port Hinchinbrook, Sheridan Street, Fishers Creek and Meunga.

The main boat ramp is Port Hinchinbrook. Its pretty easy to find, follow the signs to Port Hinchinbrook, there are multiple lanes, with floating pontoon, and usually enough parking.

Sheridan Street is an exposed, sealed beach ramp.

Meunga ramp is in Coral Sea Drive, Cardwell.

Fishers Creek ramp is off the Bruce Highway into the top of a tidal creek.

Hinchinbrook coastguard

Ingham Volunteer Coast Guard – VHF Channel 16 or VHF Channel 81

Hinchinbrook accommodation

Local accommodation tends to sell out well ahead of holidays so get in early.

Book your fishing stay early at Booking.com


fish finder book

Cardwell tides
Hinchinbrook Island National Park
Great Barrier Reef zone map
Qld dam water levels
Qld stocked dam permits
Queensland fishing regulations

Email us any corrections, additions, pictures or video here.

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Book your fishing B&B early at Booking.com



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