20/11/2025
…… After 20 years of fantastic service to the Barmera community and to Tourism generally, as proprietors of the Bluebird Cafe, located on Queen Elizabeth Drive, Barmera, Eddie and Marilyn Howarth are looking to retire.
Eddie and Marilyn are now looking for a buyer of the cafe.
A buyer who will carry on the legacy of commemorating the 1964 World Water Speed record attempt made by Donald Campbell CBE in his jet powered hydroplane Bluebird K7.
Bluebird was kept in the cafe, which was known locally as Gerty Bishop’s boat shed, during the record attempt. During his stay, Donald Campbell set an unofficial Australian Water Speed record of 216 mph. To commemorate the attempt the local community installed a concrete plinth bearing a brass plaque with details of the Donald Campbell’s visit.
The plinth and plaque are now set at the front of the Bluebird Cafe and has attracted many visitors not just from Australia, but also from right around the World.
It is a terrific opportunity for a younger manager/s to help carry on the legacy, which has recently been boosted with the installation of a mural of Donald Campbell and Bluebird K7, painted by renowned local artist Jarrod Loxton and funded by the K7 Project Bluebird committee.
The committee has also agreed to erect storyboards, containing information about Donald Campbell’s exploits in Australia, starting with his World Land Speed record set on Lake Eyre and culminating in his successful World Water Speed record set on Lake Dumbelyung, Western Australia on 31st December 1964.
If there are genuine potential buyers seeking further information Eddie and Marilyn may be contacted as listed below:
Telephone: 08 8588 1282
Email: [email protected]