Things to do

Broadwater fig on the rainforest walk.

Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Camping and accommodation

Camping

Broadwater camping area provides opportunities to enjoy the surrounding rainforest and creek environments and provides sites for small and large groups, and caravans.

It is a very popular camping area during weekends and school holidays. Ensure you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

Other accommodation

A range of accommodation, including hotels, campgrounds and caravan parks, can be found at Cardwell and Ingham. For more information see the tourism information links.

Walking

See the rainforest on 2 short walks. For more information see Journeys.

• Broadwater camping area map (PDF, 357.4KB)

Picnic and day-use areas

There is a day-use area with picnic tables and barbecues adjacent to Broadwater Creek. For more information see Attractions.

Swimming

Access to waterholes along Broadwater Creek is from 2 points in the day-use area and various locations along the Creek walk. Wear old sneakers when swimming, as venomous bullrout fish may inhabit the waters. Be aware of the required first-aid procedures. For more information see Attractions.

Viewing wildlife

Two distinct vegetation communities are found at Broadwater—rainforest and open forest. There is a small area of rainforest adjacent to the day-use area where a large white fig (Ficus virens var. sublanceolata) commonly known as the Broadwater fig, can be observed from a wheelchair-accessible track. Fan palms, black beans, Alexandra palms, strangler figs, pink-flowered evodia, birds nest ferns and staghorn ferns are just some of the plants in the rainforest. Animals in the area include the noisy pitta, wompoo pigeon, emerald dove, orange-footed scrubfowl, spotted catbird, white-tailed rat, yellow-footed antechinus and the Hercules moth.

The open dry sclerophyll forest has a grassy understorey where agile wallabies can often be seen. This forest is dominated by forest red gum, brown salwood and swamp mahogany. Rufous owls, blue-winged kookaburras, forest kingfishers, eastern yellow robins, feathertail gliders and common brushtail possums are just some of the animals that may be seen.