Farewell Cardwell

Today there are big celebrations in Cardwell to mark the official opening of the town's $40 million facelift after Yasi all but destroyed it in February 2011.
We were tempted to stay longer but, having deferred for a couple of extra days already, and with another weather window presenting itself for our trip to Townsville, we decided to head out on yesterday morning's high tide.

Who could resist conditions like this? Not us.

It's getting trickier and trickier to get in and out of the old marina precinct as the waterway silts up but we did notice a dredge sitting at the slipway so hopefully it's around to do some work.
The marina complex is/was privately owned (currently in receivership) so none of the $40 million was spent on this part of town.
The town of Cardwell however looks fabulous and its shops are run by some of the friendliest people around. It now also boasts a shared bike/walking path running for several kilometres around the bay. The path has recently been etched with the marks of creatures and plants inhabiting this part of the coastline.

Concrete paths are etched with all sorts of plants and creatures like these Torres Strait Island pigeons.

  

 

 

Landscaping has included sculptures, interpretive signs, lots of seating and an amphitheatre, along with the preservation of Yasi survivors, the ancient and beautiful Calophyllum trees.

Hinchinbrook Island with a foreground of a Calophyllum tree.

If you're headed north by car, it's worth a stop and a walk around the foreshore, shops, visitor information centre, museum and arts centre.