Question 1

Is Cardwell a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Cardwell is a small tropical coastal town on the Cassowary Coast with a clear sea-change feel. It sits beside the Hinchinbrook Channel with views to Hinchinbrook Island and the Coral Sea, and the foreshore precinct — including the Cardwell Jetty and a public boat ramp — is the town’s principal civic focus. The esplanade, mangrove fringes and nearby rainforest and cane hinterland shape a quiet coastal setting, while a compact main street provides essential shops and services. The town appeals to boating and fishing enthusiasts, nature lovers and people after a quieter lifestyle, and it has a mix of older weatherboard cottages, holiday homes and low-density suburban lots.

About 1,320 people live in Cardwell, with a median age of 60 and a median household income of $846 a week. Household types are weighted towards couple families, and most homes are owner-occupied though around 40% are rented. That mix, together with ready road and rail links and boat access to island and national park experiences, helps explain who typically chooses to live there. Whether it suits you will come down to how much you value those coastal and outdoor features and a quieter pace of life.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Cardwell?

Accepted Answer

Rents in Cardwell 4849 take a large share of local household incomes as recorded at the most recent Census. With a typical local household earning $846 a week at the last Census, the average house rent of $470 a week would take about 55.6% of that weekly income, and the average unit rent of $370 a week would take about 43.7%. On these figures, renting here would use a large share of a typical local household's income at the last Census.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Question 3

Is Cardwell a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

What stands out for Cardwell over the past 12 months is a strong rise in property values alongside mixed rent movements. Median unit values climbed 41.8% and median house values rose 28.8%, both large increases with units up by more. By contrast, house rents fell 21.7% while unit rents rose 2.8% (a modest increase).

For someone weighing Cardwell as an investment, the value figures show notable capital growth over the year, while the rent figures point to falling rental income for houses and a modest rise for units. Which of those outcomes matters most will depend on your own goals and circumstances.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	N/A	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	28.8%	41.8%
Sold Past 3 months	7	2
Median days on market Past 12 months	135	85
Average rent Past 12 months	$470	$370
Change in rent Past 12 months	-21.7%	2.8%

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