CHEERS, BIG EARS! - Julatten locals get “their pub” back
POPULAR HOTEL
The re-opening of a pub that's situated close to Port Douglas and boasts, beautiful Far North countryside views has been warmly welcomed by locals and visitors alike.
The Julatten Hotel – last called the Highlander Tavern before it closed in 2020 – has been put back on the map of popular venues by the Colonial Leisure Group (CLG), the tourism and hospitality arm of the Morris Group.
A few weeks on, and the re-opening has been a big hit with locals, who’ve had to endure not having a watering hole and somewhere to go out for a decent meal and entertainment for nearly three years.
Popular classics including pizzas, burgers and steaks are on the Julatten Hotel’s new-look menu – and the whole tiger prawn bucket is proving a winner.
Working with a range of local suppliers, other menu highlights include Barramundi Gardens spring rolls, Port Douglas Smokehouse antipasti and grilled local Barramundi fillets.
On weekends, the Hotel has already started highlighting regular live music, with local acts every Saturday from 5-8pm and Sunday 1-4pm.
Guests are able to refresh themselves with a range of CBCo brand tap beers, cider and ginger beer and ‘Happy Hour’ has returned Wednesday to Friday from 4-5pm.
Executive Chairman of CLG, Chris Morris, has himself had a lot to do with the re-opening project. Mr Morris told Newsport it was clear when he was last there that patrons were happy their local pub was back up and operating.
“They all call it their pub,” he said. “A lady came up to me and said, ‘you realise you don’t own this, we own it?’ I said, ‘okay’ (laughs).”
One of the main attractions of the Hotel, which anyone who’s been there would agree with, is the stunning vista from the back balcony.
“You sit with a mountain view and you don’t see a house or a building. It’s sensational,” Mr Morris said.
Locals are the backbone of the Julatten Hotel, Mr Morris said, but travellers are also an important aspect of the re-opened pub’s trade.
“A lot of people come up from Port Douglas and Cairns, especially on the weekends. It’s a nice trip up the mountain there. There’s a lot of traffic going up there, it’s the right time of year, going up to the Cape.”
Asked about future plans, Mr Morris said accommodation is on the cards.
“It’d be fantastic I think, long term plans would be to have some accommodation, yes. People especially if they’re coming up from Port and Cairns, having a bit of a ‘session’, they’d much rather stay there. Obviously they can’t drive home.”
The Morris Group operates a number of tourism and hospitality venues across northern Queensland including The Ville Resort–Casino in Townsville, Orpheus Island Lodge, Daintree River Ecolodge and Mount Mulligan Lodge.
The Julatten Hotel opens Thursday – Sunday 11.30am to late and Wednesday 3pm to late.
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