Cardwell

History

The Aboriginal heritage is defined by Language Groups; the boundary of the Dyirbal and Warrgamay lies between Cardwell and Tully in the north. Warrgamay (also known as Waragamai, Wargamay, Wargamaygan, Biyay, and Warakamai) is an Australian Aboriginal language in North Queensland. The language region includes the Herbert River area, Ingham, Hawkins Creek, Long Pocket, Herbert Vale, Niagara Vale, Yamanic Creek, Herbert Gorge, Cardwell, Hinchinbrook Island and the adjacent mainland. Girramay (also known as Giramay, Garamay, Giramai, Keramai) is a language of Far North Queensland, particularly the area around Herbert River Catchment taking in the towns of Cardwell and Ingham. The Girramay language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook Regional Councils. The first Europeans settled in the area in January 1864 in order to create a port initially called "Port Hinchinbrook". Subsequently, the town was renamed Cardwell later in 1864 by explorer George Elphinstone Dalrymple after Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell, the Secretary of State for the Colonies at that time. They were 20 in number including James Morrill, William Alcock Tully, botanist John Dallachy, Arthur Jervoise Scott, Lieut. Marlow of the Native Police and his troopers Norman, Archy and Warbragen. Dalrymple also brought his "black boy" servant, an Aboriginal man from Stradbroke Island that he called "Cockey". They came from Bowen on the small schooner Policeman which was under the command of ex-Native Police officer Captain Walter Powell, with the 3 ton cutter Heather Bell in tow. Dalrymple's main purpose in establishing a settlement in Rockingham Bay was to create a port as close as possible to the Valley of Lagoons Station of which he…

Geography

The Bruce Highway National Highway 1 and the North Coast railway line are the dominant transport routes; connecting with the Queensland provincial cities of Cairns and Townsville. The town is a long narrow strip hugging the coast with Greenwood Hill immediately to the west of the town () rising to above sea level. This location experienced one of Australia's important conservation battles.

Most-observed species

• Yellow-spotted Honeyeater

  Meliphaga notata (Gould, 1867) · Aves
  347
• Peaceful Dove

  Geopelia placida Gould, 1844 · Aves
  325
• Rainbow Lorikeet

  Trichoglossus haematodus (Linnaeus, 1771) · Aves
  304
• Dusky Myzomela

  Myzomela obscura Gould, 1843 · Aves
  297
• Forest Kingfisher

  Todiramphus macleayii (Jardine & Selby, 1830) · Aves
  292
• Australasian Figbird

  Sphecotheres vieilloti Vigors & Horsfield, 1827 · Aves
  288
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  280
• Rainbow Bee-eater

  Merops ornatus Latham, 1801 · Aves
  273