Popular waterfront restaurant signs deal for new venture at Cairns aquarium

One of Cairns’ most popular restaurants is opening a second venue within the city centre after signing a long lease with Cairns Aquarium.

• New Cairns restaurant closes after less than 18 months
• Fish and chip shop owner ‘subject of an abusive witch hunt’
• Cairns Aquarium looks to install 5D cinema

ONE of Cairns’ most popular restaurants is opening a second venue within the city centre, after signing a long lease with Cairns Aquarium.

Dundee’s will expand its waterfront offering to the aquarium, taking over the space previously taken by Aqualuna.

Aqualuna was placed in liquidation last Monday, after opening at the aquarium 18 months ago.

The new restaurant, “Dundee’s at the Cairns Aquarium”, which is opening soon, will be managed by co-owner and local restaurateur Tina Wort, with support from seafood chef and partner James Wort, and co-owners Gary Low, and Paul and Marion Wright.

Ms Wort said she had been watching the aquarium space for years, after the tourist attraction had been announced and watched its progress.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CAIRNS POST WITH OUR AMAZING INTRODUCTORY OFFER: $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

“We have known about the significant visitation numbers through the aquarium itself and the restaurant, and heard how many functions and events the aquarium was hosting each month,” she said.

“The timing just became right for us to look at growing our business, taking it to that next level and adding our quality signature cuisine to this world class venue.”

She said their waterfront restaurant attracted a significant amount of bookings from groups from China, Japan, the US and Europe as part of package tours.

James Wort, the owner and chef of Dundee’s Restaurant, on the Cairns Waterfront with his wife Tina.

“We have already begun discussions with local agents, inbound tour operators, and travel wholesalers and all are keen to book these visitors for a second night at the new venue,” she said.

Cairns Aquarium director and co-founder Daniel Leipnik said Dundee’s signature menu would enhance the overall visitor experience for aquarium visitors.

“Almost half our visitors enjoy eating a meal before or after they come through the aquarium and many others enjoy a light snack or something they can take away with them,” he said.

The Cairns Aquarium on Florence Street, Cairns City. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“We created a very unique aquatic themed restaurant venue that also doubles as a function centre space.

“It has its own 70,000 litre marine aquarium that provides a mesmerising experience of the fish and sharks that live in and around the region’s man-made coastal infrastructure such as marinas and piers.”

Originally published as Popular waterfront restaurant signs deal for new venture at Cairns aquarium