Sandbar Airlie Beach shuts doors owing more than $300k

A well-known Whitsundays restaurant and bar has been shut down without public warning, despite bookings remaining open and staff allegedly left in the lurch.

The restaurant only opened last year but has already been forced to close. Picture: Sandbar

A waterfront restaurant and bar in Airlie Beach has shut its doors less than 18 months after opening, leaving staff out of pocket and the company owing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Airlie Beach locals and visitors took to social media after noticing the Sandbar, which opened in early 2024, had closed with an eviction notice on the door and “for lease” signs in the windows.

Sandbar Airlie Beach has unexpectedly closed its doors.

Guests said they were still able to make online bookings and arrived disappointed to find the venue shut.

As of 3pm on Wednesday afternoon, the website was still functioning and accepting bookings, with this masthead securing a table for 6.30pm.

Despite being shut for weeks, the website is still taking bookings, leading customers to show up to a closed venue. This booking was made at 3pm on Wednesday, July 7.

Documents lodged with ASIC however revealed the business was placed into creditors’ voluntary liquidation on June 2 and had ceased trading.

Documents reveal thousands owed to creditors.

A creditors report says staff members were owed more than $87,000 in unpaid superannuation, while the company also owed $187,000 to the Australian Taxation Office, along with outstanding bills to Origin Energy, Ergon, and its landlord.

Liquidators from Grant Thornton Australia were appointed to oversee the process and were working to recover funds for creditors.

Company records list Keith Roberts, owner of Whitsunday Catamarans, which is located in the same building as the restaurant, and Paul Atkins as directors.

In a statement to creditors, the liquidators said the business was unable to meet its financial obligations and urged anyone owed money to register their claim.

Ray White signage has popped up around the building indicating the space is for lease.

While no formal comment has been made by the directors, ASIC documents indicated they sought advice in the lead-up to the closure from the Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland, before being referred to the liquidators.

Documents also showed the directors and liquidators held discussions throughout May about the company’s financial position, available options, and steps required to initiate the winding-up process.

Liquidators noted that any return to creditors would depend on whether further assets could be recovered.

Attempts have been made to contact the directors.

Originally published as Sandbar Airlie Beach shuts doors owing more than $300k