Cardwell Pioneers Tour

The Cardwell Pioneer Tours are a self-guided tour of the Cardwell Museum & Heritage Precinct. The tour incorporates all the buildings in the historic precinct and takes visitors on a fascinating journey of the area’s colorful history as they move through each building. The tour begins at the old Bush Telegraph building, the Telegraph and Post Office and explained how Cardwell was founded in 1864 as the first port in North Queensland. Over in the Courthouse, visitors can gain an understanding of the old judicial system. Several interesting items are on display including the original straight-jackets used in Tully to restrain the more energetic offenders. The old lock-up building was still in use during the1980s at the Cardwell Police Station. The final building is the old Shire Hall which the community used for a multitude of purposes included balls and other formal social events. Information boards through the precinct share the stories and guide your stroll through history of Cardwell and the region.