Ellis Beach Bar and Grill sold to Far North pub baron Tom Hedley
Well-known Far North pub baron Tom Hedley has added a new property to his rapidly expanding portfolio. Read about his plans for this slice of tropical paradise north of Cairns.
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The end of an era has come for landmark beachside pit stop following the sale of the sale of the Ellis Beach Bar and Grill, but the agent who brokered the deal expects the new owners to keep the iconic venue operating.
Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows Holiday Park and the accompanying Ellis Beach Bar and Grill was listed for sale in 2021 with CBRE in a national sales campaign.
The site includes a 9.7ha property held under perpetual lease with current approvals for a 214 room resort development including hotel, motel and apartment accommodation.
CBRE Cairns managing director Danny Betros said the sale of the property was now unconditional and the contract will settle in January.
“So absolutely nothing is changing,” he said.
“The bar and grill is not being demolished. No one’s building units. No one’s building a resort.
“The new owner is going to run the bar and grill and they’re going to jazz up the caravan park which is long overdue.”
New owner Tom Hedley said the bar and grill would undergo a renovation, existing cabins would get a makeover and additional beachside cabins would be added.
“We are going to do a bit of a reno on the bar and grill and we will fire it up next year,” he said.
Mr Hedley said the venue would stay open during the renovation which would begin in the New Year and be dependent on council approval, however existing approvals for a huge accommodation complex would not go ahead.
“That’s bit hard, that one is going straight to the keeper,” he said.
“The problem you have is you have not got town water or sewer, if you do a job like that it’s a big infrastructure job.
“That was (the former owner’s) plan and they were a reasonable sized company but I will work on the existing bar and grill.
“I have to get some approvals so it will be a little while. You can’t beat the view but we want to make the outdoor area better.”
In 2013 Bellbird Park Development applied for permission to build 214 suites and function facility, over eight stages into the hill behind the highway.
The application was approved in 2016 by Cairns Regional Council and a four-year extension to build was applied for by the developer in 2020.
Mr Betros said a massive amount of cash would be needed for a development of such a scope on such a steep hillside.
“Plus there’s all the issues with water, power and sewage,” he said.
“So the bar and grill is very profitable, nothing’s going to change. A coat of paint and a few new chairs and tables.”
Outrage at the closure of Ellis Beach Bar and Grill expressed on social media as wild theories emerge about the new owner and plans for the venue which has become a popular stop off for day tripping motorcycle riders.
A big send off with live bands is planned for January 8 ahead of new owner and well known Far North pub baron Mr Hedley taking the reins.
A worker at the Ellis Beach Bar and Grill said staff were disappointed the end to an era had come.
“It’s definitely the end of an era, we all love working here and Andrew is a great boss but we are going to go out with a bang,” she said.
Current venue leaseholder Andrew Saville has been contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Ellis Beach Bar and Grill sold to Far North pub baron Tom Hedley
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