Cardwell Spa Pools, QLD: Best time to visit, swimming & crocodiles

The Cardwell Spa Pools in Cardwell, Queensland, are famous for the bright blue or milky blue water. But this crocodile-free swimming hole is best visited between May and September.

The Cardwell Spa Pools is one of those Australian attractions that was the preserve of locals until Instagrammers realised how photogenic they were. Others include Windin Falls in the Atherton Tableland, Hamersley Gorge in the Karijini National Park and the Sea Cliff Bridge near Wollongong.

The Cardwell Spa Pools is actually a naturally-fed creek. You’ll find it in the Cassowary Coast town of Cardwell, Queensland, about halfway between Cairns and Townsville on the drive from Townsville to Mission Beach.

The Cardwell Spa Pools in Cardwell, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Cardwell Spa Pools on Cardwell Forest Drive

Cardwell Spa Pools is accessed along the Cardwell Forest Drive, a 26km scenic driving route through the hinterland behind Cardwell. It covers a series of swimming holes and waterfalls.

What makes the Cardwell Spa Pools so special is the colour of the water. The minerals in the sedimentary rocks turn the water an eerily bright blue some of the time, and an otherworldly milky blue at others. Essentially, there are high levels of magnesium and calcium in there. Precisely what colour you’ll see depends on what time of day it is, and how much sunlight is available.

Best time to visit Cardwell Spa Pools

The Cardwell Spa Pools is seasonal. Summer rains can flush the creek out, so the best time to visit is between May and September. Given that this is the best time to visit Far North Queensland anyway, that’s ideal.

Are there crocodiles at Cardwell Spa Pools?

While saltwater crocodiles indisputably inhabit the coastline around Cardwell, they don’t tend to venture inland as far as the Cardwell Spa Pools.

The creek is crocodile, shark and marine-stinger free, although swimmers should be wary of slippery rocks.

Distance to Cardwell Spa Pools from Cairns and Townsville

The distance from Cairns to the Cardwell Spa Pools is 183km. Expect a driving time of around two hours and 22 minutes. From Townsville to the Cardwell Spa Pools, it’s a 175km drive taking around two hours and 13 minutes.

Best Cardwell accommodation choices

The best places to stay in Cardwell are:

For a holiday park with an outdoor pool and children’s playground: Cardwell Beachcomber Motel and Tourist Park.
For prime location: Cardwell Beachfront Motel.
If those two are fully booked: Kookaburra Holiday Park.

Other attractions on the drive from Townsville to Cairns include Murray Falls in Girrimay National Park, Dunk Island near Mission Beach, the Golden Gumboot in Tully, Paronella Park near Innsifail and the Babinda Boulders.