Rock Island Australia opens retro Hawaiian diner and cocktail bar at Pallarenda

Grab your favourite Hawaiian shirt and head to the beach, where an exciting new diner is offering relaxed, tropical vibes. See our sneak-peek gallery.

With a friendly “aloha”, a new 1950s-themed retro Hawaiian diner and cocktail bar has begun welcoming excited locals and tourists, bringing life to long-dormant commercial space opposite Pallarenda Beach.

In a coup for the city, Rock Island Australia selected Townsville as the first location to open its new franchise on Friday – the first step in an ambitious roll out of diners across Australia and South East Asia.

Based on a diner in Hawaii, Rock Island Australia offers a variety of meals including burgers, fresh seafood, and pizzas, as well as cocktails, Hawaiian beer, and an assortment of American-themed merchandise.

Situated at 13 The Esplanade, empty since a fish and chip shop closed four years ago, it was completely refurbished by the building’s owner in preparation for Rock Island Australia taking over the lease.

Rock Island Australia general manager Kiri Page was blown away by the crowd that gathered before they opened, given they had only publicised the launch on their Facebook page.

Gallery: Rock Island Australia opens at Pallarenda

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“The locals were our best supporters because they’ve been waiting for this place or something to open for the last four years,” Ms Page said.

“They were here in droves right before opening hour. They were really happy and it’s been busy ever since.

“We are all about that Hawaiian diner feel … vibrant, fun, and welcoming … with good food and good vibes.”

Rock Island Australia general manager Kiri Page and Elvis will be greeting visitors to Rock Island Australia at Pallarenda. Picture: Leighton Smith.

It transports you back to a different era when everyone was “nicer” and “polite to each other”, she said.

Ms Page has busily recruited and trained more than 20 staff, with the goal of having 35 workers cross-trained across multiple roles.

“In the last month we’ve come together as a team and made sure that all the final touches were done so it’s been a pretty amazing journey and a crazy one,” she said.

1950s-themed retro Hawaiian diner and cocktail bar Rock Island Australia opened at Pallarenda on Friday. Picture: Leighton Smith.

The waterfront view from Rock Island Australia at Pallarenda. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“If we can provide positive employment and work skills, then we’ve done what we can.”

Rock Island Australia will open six more diners across Australia in 2024.

“We’ve already sold five venues. We’ve got Cairns opening in May, two in Adelaide, a big one in the Sunshine Coast and there’s five sold in Singapore, and negotiating with others overseas,” she said.

Unfortunately the business has a strict no dogs allowed policy, other than service dogs.

To apply for a job, visit: www.facebook.com/rockislandaustralia.

Originally published as Rock Island Australia opens retro Hawaiian diner and cocktail bar at Pallarenda