The best camping near Cardwell with swimming

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Cardwell’s swimming spots are hard to beat, and with over 30 campsites in the area tailored for a dip, you’re spoilt for choice. Most sites sit close to rivers and swimming holes—perfect for cooling off after a hike or a sweaty afternoon climbing. Prices start at $30 a night, with an average around $135, so you can keep it simple or splash out. Camps like Mena Creek River Retreat Camp (80 reviews), Tully Mountain Views (62 reviews), and Cullen Guesthouse & and Rest Stop (11 reviews) come up again and again in traveller recommendations. Expect toilets, pet-friendly spots, and campfires allowed, but don’t count on luxury—most sites keep it practical. You’ll find plenty of opportunities for hiking, climbing, and wildlife-watching in the Cardwell region, with swimming never far from reach.

93% (264) 5 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Cardwell

Tully Mountain ⛰️ Views

1. Tully Mountain ⛰️ Views

99%
(199)
46km from Cardwell · 6 sites · RVs
Just 10 minutes north of Tully and 15 minutes to the beautiful Mission Beach, we are close to the highway so traveler’s can rest and enjoy our views, this peaceful rainforest retreat is the perfect base for your next adventure. Camp sites are located around the dam and waterfall with views of the Tully mountains and Tully town with the mill stacks in the far distance. Come and enjoy our peaceful spot. It is a 5 minute drive to Alligators Nest which is the local swimming hole with crystal clear water but with no alligators, or try our local Feluga Pub for a coldie or a great pub meal a few minutes up the road. Or why not check out the great little town of Tully and that giant gumboot. So come breathe in the fresh air and wake up the sounds of our beautiful bush birds. Fire wood available for a small fee. Please take all rubbish with you on departure.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
AU$44
 / night
Mena Creek River Retreat Camp

2. Mena Creek River Retreat Camp

98%
(127)
69km from Cardwell · 11 sites · Tents, RVs
Our campsites are on a private horse property with pristine creek access and a beautiful spring. We are dog friendly.Enjoy beautiful grassed areas overlooking the property, or down by the creek, accessible to all campers.Please note that property access is generally suited to 4WDs, with some areas ok if you're towing a camping trailer with high clearance. Please check with us if unsure or if the weather has not been favourable.Please be mindful of our neighbours when driving to our property as there is a short distance of dirt, please drive slow not to kick up dust past the neighbouring houses. When you arrive at our property please be mindful of small children and animals roaming the grounds. There are pristine creek views from most of the camp sites, meaning you will be waking to the lovely sound of running water. There is also a beautiful spring for swimming. We are dog friendly, and can offer pet sitting. We ask you to please text us your arrival times the night before you are coming to make sure your arrival time will suit and to check on the weather for access.Children under 7 stay for free.
Pets
Campfires
Water hookup
from 
AU$37
 / night
Cullen Guesthouse & and Rest Stop

3. Cullen Guesthouse & and Rest Stop

100%
(20)
44km from Cardwell · 1 site · Tent, RV
Park alongside Inghams 100 year old fully restored historical Villa. Shower and toilet facilities, power and water provided within. The property is located 30 seconds off the Bruce Highway. A great stop for the weary traveller. Overnight or longer if needed. An excellent stop for exploring the region, the Wallerman Falls etc. Close to all town amenities.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
AU$60
 / night
Butterfly Valley

4. Butterfly Valley

8.2km from Cardwell · 2 sites · Lodging
Butterfly Valley Holiday Accommodation is situated on a 160 acre property, that is surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine National Park. Situated just 2.8 km from the Bruce Highway, 10 minutes from the seaside township of Cardwell and close to Hinchinbrook Island, here you can escape the hustle and bustle of life to the peace and quiet of lush natural surrounds. Enjoy private swimming holes and a waterfall that is only 300 meters from your front door, as well as a lookout over Hinchinbrook Island. There is abundant wildlife, and of course you will see many butterflies – watch it all from your private deck overlooking the creek. Our campsites are beside Five Mile creek on Butterfly Island and only accessible by off road vehicles.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
AU$230
 / night
Twitchers Rest

5. Twitchers Rest

80%
(5)
50km from Cardwell · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Nestled in the mountains is a little grove with beautiful views and fresh crisp air. This property is set on 5 acres of flat and sloping ground. The campsite is part rainforest and has a creek on one side. There is also lots of open forest. I find the rainforest good for enjoying the birds. If you're up for an adventure bring your mountain bike and go riding, or head of for walks along the creek. It's very peaceful. You will find the Wallaman Falls, Mt Fox and National Parks nearby. This campsite is located about half an hour from town. This campsite suits self-contained campers who bring their own camping toilet/shower. There is a picnic table for meals, access to water, power and wifi as well as rubbish facilities.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
AU$37
 / night

Cardwell’s swimming spots are hard to beat, and with over 30 campsites in the area tailored for a dip, you’re spoilt for choice. Most sites sit close to rivers and swimming holes—perfect for cooling off after a hike or a sweaty afternoon climbing. Prices start at $30 a night, with an average around $135, so you can keep it simple or splash out. Camps like Mena Creek River Retreat Camp (80 reviews), Tully Mountain Views (62 reviews), and Cullen Guesthouse & and Rest Stop (11 reviews) come up again and again in traveller recommendations. Expect toilets, pet-friendly spots, and campfires allowed, but don’t count on luxury—most sites keep it practical. You’ll find plenty of opportunities for hiking, climbing, and wildlife-watching in the Cardwell region, with swimming never far from reach.

93% (264) 5 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Cardwell

Tully Mountain ⛰️ Views

1. Tully Mountain ⛰️ Views

99%
(199)
46km from Cardwell · 6 sites · RVs
Just 10 minutes north of Tully and 15 minutes to the beautiful Mission Beach, we are close to the highway so traveler’s can rest and enjoy our views, this peaceful rainforest retreat is the perfect base for your next adventure. Camp sites are located around the dam and waterfall with views of the Tully mountains and Tully town with the mill stacks in the far distance. Come and enjoy our peaceful spot. It is a 5 minute drive to Alligators Nest which is the local swimming hole with crystal clear water but with no alligators, or try our local Feluga Pub for a coldie or a great pub meal a few minutes up the road. Or why not check out the great little town of Tully and that giant gumboot. So come breathe in the fresh air and wake up the sounds of our beautiful bush birds. Fire wood available for a small fee. Please take all rubbish with you on departure.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
AU$44
 / night
Mena Creek River Retreat Camp

2. Mena Creek River Retreat Camp

98%
(127)
69km from Cardwell · 11 sites · Tents, RVs
Our campsites are on a private horse property with pristine creek access and a beautiful spring. We are dog friendly.Enjoy beautiful grassed areas overlooking the property, or down by the creek, accessible to all campers.Please note that property access is generally suited to 4WDs, with some areas ok if you're towing a camping trailer with high clearance. Please check with us if unsure or if the weather has not been favourable.Please be mindful of our neighbours when driving to our property as there is a short distance of dirt, please drive slow not to kick up dust past the neighbouring houses. When you arrive at our property please be mindful of small children and animals roaming the grounds. There are pristine creek views from most of the camp sites, meaning you will be waking to the lovely sound of running water. There is also a beautiful spring for swimming. We are dog friendly, and can offer pet sitting. We ask you to please text us your arrival times the night before you are coming to make sure your arrival time will suit and to check on the weather for access.Children under 7 stay for free.
Pets
Campfires
Water hookup
from 
AU$37
 / night
Cullen Guesthouse & and Rest Stop

3. Cullen Guesthouse & and Rest Stop

100%
(20)
44km from Cardwell · 1 site · Tent, RV
Park alongside Inghams 100 year old fully restored historical Villa. Shower and toilet facilities, power and water provided within. The property is located 30 seconds off the Bruce Highway. A great stop for the weary traveller. Overnight or longer if needed. An excellent stop for exploring the region, the Wallerman Falls etc. Close to all town amenities.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
AU$60
 / night
Butterfly Valley

4. Butterfly Valley

8.2km from Cardwell · 2 sites · Lodging
Butterfly Valley Holiday Accommodation is situated on a 160 acre property, that is surrounded by thousands of acres of pristine National Park. Situated just 2.8 km from the Bruce Highway, 10 minutes from the seaside township of Cardwell and close to Hinchinbrook Island, here you can escape the hustle and bustle of life to the peace and quiet of lush natural surrounds. Enjoy private swimming holes and a waterfall that is only 300 meters from your front door, as well as a lookout over Hinchinbrook Island. There is abundant wildlife, and of course you will see many butterflies – watch it all from your private deck overlooking the creek. Our campsites are beside Five Mile creek on Butterfly Island and only accessible by off road vehicles.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
AU$230
 / night
Twitchers Rest

5. Twitchers Rest

80%
(5)
50km from Cardwell · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Nestled in the mountains is a little grove with beautiful views and fresh crisp air. This property is set on 5 acres of flat and sloping ground. The campsite is part rainforest and has a creek on one side. There is also lots of open forest. I find the rainforest good for enjoying the birds. If you're up for an adventure bring your mountain bike and go riding, or head of for walks along the creek. It's very peaceful. You will find the Wallaman Falls, Mt Fox and National Parks nearby. This campsite is located about half an hour from town. This campsite suits self-contained campers who bring their own camping toilet/shower. There is a picnic table for meals, access to water, power and wifi as well as rubbish facilities.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
AU$37
 / night

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