Dundee Beach Tavern wins prestigious national hospitality award
A newly upgraded Territory tavern has won an exclusive national hospitality award. Read which one.
Northern Territory
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Dundee Beach Tavern has won Best Overall Hotel - Remote, at this year’s National Hospitality Awards.
About 90 minutes from Darwin, the national recognition came almost a year to the day that the renovated Dundee Beach Tavern replaced the old Lodge of Dundee as the popular visitor spot’s number one venue.
Operators Andrew and Shannon Pope and their business partners spent millions converting the lodge into a tavern, increasing seating to about 240 people, and adding accommodation, food and refreshment options for holiday makers, anglers and day-trippers.
Days after the award presentation at Brisbane Casino last Monday, the couple’s telephones began buzzing with southern travel writers interested in covering this remote jewel in Australia’s tavern crown.
A year on, Andrew reflected that the business had done better than expected, with Instagram and Facebook doing much of the marketing heavy-lifting as the tavern’s views, foods and service created an appealing mix for the visiting public.
He thanked the almost 30 staff on board for helping with the transition from a small shed venue to a large, exciting one.
“We knew it was a good venue to build in a good spot,” Andrew said.
“Dundee and the NT needed another place to have lunch after a drive right on the ocean.
“It’s probably the only beachside bar and restaurant tavern with a 180-degre view of water and brilliant sunsets.
“It was a pretty good first year and I’d say above expectations with a lot coming out of Darwin and helped by Dundee Holiday Park also doing upgrades.
“During the Dry (season) we were getting 250 people here a day wanting to sit around and look at the water. The waterpark gives families good options to come down and have lunch while the kids are at the park and not annoying the parents while they relax.”
With the NT Government’s Dundee Beach boat ramp upgrades expected to be completed in February, he is optimistic about the future.
“It’s not as busy over the Wet but we’re busy with Christmas break-ups and day trippers coming out,” he said.
Hospitality NT chief executive Cathy Simmonds praised the impact of the Dundee Beach Tavern upgrade.
“Achieving national recognition after just one year of trading as Dundee Beach Tavern is an incredible milestone,” Ms Simmonds said.
“Rebuilding the pub and elevating it to such a high standard is no small feat, and it was truly rewarding to witness Andrew and Shannon Pope receive the well-deserved recognition on the night.”
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Originally published as Dundee Beach Tavern wins prestigious national hospitality award
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