Following our pleasant sojourn at Murray Falls, we decided to continue our travels onward to Cardwell. What a delightful surprise this small coastal town turned out to be! The locals were incredibly warm and welcoming, and the scenery was simply stunning.

A panoramic view of the Cardwell foreshore, showcasing the long pier and calm waters.
A panoramic view of the Cardwell foreshore, showcasing the long pier and calm waters.

We spent a happy morning exploring the local markets, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and browsing the various stalls.

The vibrant Cardwell markets bustling with activity and local vendors.
The vibrant Cardwell markets bustling with activity and local vendors.

It's always rewarding to discover these hidden gems, and Cardwell certainly left a lasting impression. In particular, the local eateries had a certain quirky charm, and we definitely appreciated the giant crab!

A larger-than-life crab sculpture perched atop a local restaurant, a whimsical landmark in Cardwell.
A larger-than-life crab sculpture perched atop a local restaurant, a whimsical landmark in Cardwell.

However, our Cardwell visit took an unexpected, and rather damp, turn for the worse. Upon returning to our mobile abode after our market explorations, we were greeted by an unwelcome sight: a significant amount of water sloshing around inside. It appears that, somewhere along the way, the mixer tap in the kitchen had vibrated open. Compounding our error, we had neglected to turn off the water pump. The unfortunate result was a rather thorough internal flooding.

The next two days were dedicated to a rather tedious, but necessary, salvage operation.

Mop up underway inside the caravan
Mop up underway inside the caravan

We set about drying out our belongings, airing out the interior, and generally attempting to restore some semblance of order. Let's just say that, despite the initial charm of Cardwell, our lasting memory may well be of damp cushions and a rather insistent dehumidifier. A valuable lesson learned, although one we could have happily avoided. Next time, it will be double checking the taps and pump before any travel day begins.

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