Cardwell

Cardwell is a small town on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns - we stopped here for a break while driving along the coast of Queensland.

Very nice park (rest stop area) and walking/cycle track along the foreshore.  A man selling coffee from a trailer is set up in the park every day except Tuesday – very good coffee and he bakes fresh muffins every morning (was a baker).  Public toilets and plenty of parking.  Great sculptures featured along the path.

One of the visitor information centres is also a Museum and located beside the police station – plenty of brochures and manned by local volunteers.  Along the main road are several cafes and bars which were quite busy on the Saturday we drove through town.  Two caravan parks within walking distance to town, plus a number of motels and this looks like a lovely place to stay.

The Top Tourist Park is Motel and caravan park that sits on the shore - looks very nice with lovely sites and a small pool area.  Restaurant at the front of the park overlooks the water. 

On the Bruce Highway in the centre of town is a covered playground in front of the public toilets and beside a basketball court with seating in the shade. Next door is the Cardwell Rainforest and Reef Visitor Information Centre.  A gold coin donation for entry.  We had coffee and morning tea at the VIVIA Café (across the road) - prints around the walls for sale and cards of rainforest animals.  Great food and lots of people dining.

Further along the road is the Sweet Surprise Bakery with a lovely covered seating area alongside the building.  Lots of families enjoying smoothies and fresh baked goodies.
Next door is the pool with a sign that says 'Swim, Gym and Juice Bar' – a full size swimming pool with plenty of shade and freshly squeezed fruit juice.

Cardwell is a very popular sport for visitors to stop and take a break - great fishing and close to Hinchinbrook Island.