Josh, Julie Niland open Catseye Pool Club restaurant on Hamilton Island

Bringing pool club energy to one of the best views in Queensland, Hamilton Island’s newest bar and restaurant promises dishes you’ll want to share.

Josh Niland, the man behind Catseye Pool Club. Photo: Contributed

If you don’t have a big appetite you better make sure to bring some friends to Hamilton Island’s newest restaurant.
Catseye Pool Club is launching as part of the brand new The Sundays hotel, by Josh and Julie Niland, best known for three-hatted Sydney restaurant Saint Peter.

Promising pool club energy with a view of Catseye Bay, the restaurant makes each dish with the whole table in mind, including trimmings to be shared.

An early online menu hints at what’s coming: “Hand Line Caught Coral Trout in Salt Pastry”, a dish “for four” which also includes four sides — vadouvan roasted cauliflower; garlic saltbush and warrigal greens; pickled sultanas, almonds and curry leaf; and finger lime butter sauce.

The other mains listed were served for either four, or two people.

Mr Niland said he wanted to bring people together with dishes celebrating the best Australian ingredients.

“The Catseye Pool Club approaches its menu with each item very much designed to be enjoyed as a whole table,” he said.

Delectable food will be on offer at Catseye Pool Club. Photo: Contributed

The restaurant will offer an exclusive breakfast for hotel guests.

“Guests can expect beautiful fresh pastries made by the team, ‘CPC’ Spanner Crab Royale, and Coconut and Verjuice Honey Bircher,” Mr Niland said.

“We will also extend our hospitality offering to the guest’s pool and sun loungers, with a Queensland ingredient-focused cocktail menu curated by Sam Cocks, the Saint Peter Bar Director.”

Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling said he could not be prouder.

“Josh and Julie’s approach to food is nothing short of exceptional,” he said.

“We are delighted to welcome Josh and Julie’s family into ours as we embark on an exciting chapter for Hamilton Island.

“Together, The Sundays and Catseye Pool Club underscore our commitment to making Hamilton Island “Australia’s Tropical Island”, offering world class accommodation, dining and hospitality to all visitors to the heart of the beautiful Great Barrier Reef.”

Seafood will be on the menu at Catseye Pool Club. Photo: Contributed

The Palms, the island’s new garden bar, launched recently, and the island also celebrated the return of coca chu, a much-loved Southeast Asian restaurant.

Boutique hotel The Sundays will be run by the qualia team.

Sitting at the northern end of Catseye Beach it offers 59 rooms, private cabanas, and will start welcoming guests on April 24, 2025.