Bluewater Diner breathes life back into long-vacant commercial property

Offering big meals that won’t break the bank, a new business has sprung to life next to the highway, north of Townsville. See when its bar opens.

Emilly Struckel, owner Bluewater Diner, has opened her doors on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The long-vacant commercial building next to the Bluewater Bridge has begun a new chapter as a diner, becoming a hit with local residents and weary Bruce Highway travellers in need of a recharge.

Bluewater Diner was opened in mid-February by husband and wife team Emily and Rowan Struckel, who purchased the building after moving back to Townsville from Western Australia last October to be closer to family.

With seven years experience running a roadhouse, Ms Struckle was ready to put her skills to work reviving the building which had stood empty for 13 years.

It had previously been a service station, convenience store, hardware store, takeaway shop, and post office.

Employing 15 staff, many of whom are nearby residents and juniors, the family business operates as a cafe, restaurant, takeaway, and convenience store, with a bar planned to open within the next two months.

Emilly Struckel, owner Bluewater Diner, has opened her doors on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“There’s nothing really out this way, and Townsville is growing north, so we’ve seen an opportunity that needed something and we wanted to fill the gap,” Ms Struckle said.

“We’ve got a lot of local support … most of them are super happy that there’s something finally out here.”

“The tourists are only just starting. Everyone is starting to find out that we’re here.”

Some of the meals available at Bluewater Diner. Picture: Supplied.

Bluewater Diner, has opened on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A wide variety of food is offered across the day including traditional breakfasts, burgers, steaks, lamb chops, pork ribs, schnitzels, parmigianas, salads, wraps and sushi delivered every Thursday.

“We try to make big meals so people are not going away hungry, and we try to keep our prices as cheap as possible so that families can afford to come out and eat out as a family.” she said.

Bluewater Diner's fridges are loaded with tasty foods including sushi on Thursdays. Picture: Supplied.

“As everyone knows, the prices of food and everything these days are just going up so we just try and keep it as a place you can come to eat and know, it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg.”

A gradual renovation process was also underway to upgrade the building and extend the inside dining.

Ms Struckel was working with the council to get Bluewater Creek cleaned up to attract more weekend swimmers back to the area.

For more information, visit Bluewater Diner on Facebook.

Originally published as Bluewater Diner breathes life back into long-vacant commercial property