'Unique' Nautilus gets $1 million makeover

STAR ATTRACTION

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Nautilus is one of Port Douglas' most respected and well-known restaurants. IMAGE: Supplied.

PORT Douglas’ iconic tree house restaurant – Nautilus – which offers upmarket Modern Australian food, with à la carte and tasting menus in a tropical outdoor space, is readying itself for next year’s 65th anniversary.

In doing so, it recently completed a $1 million renovation which included a reconfiguration enabling it to now accommodate 200 people, whereas before it could only cater to 130. 

With a salaried staff of 10 plus senior management and the owner, it was a case of ‘all hands on deck’ when the renovations started in mid-January.

“Yes, it has been an amazing effort from everyone and we can now look back on what we have achieved," said general manager Aron Michielli.

"We’ve made changes that have improved the restaurant and we are looking forward to again catering to our loyal locals and visitors."

Open seven days for dinner, this classic location with its beautiful lush tropical garden setting with overhead palms, may have taken on a slightly new look, but nothing has changed in terms of its unique elegant dining experience.

And their message has not changed.

“We are not a fine dining restaurant – we never have been. We are not bistro dining. We classify ourselves as ‘elegant dining’ offering fine food in our unique setting. We do not pretend to tick all the boxes of a truly fine dining establishment. Our classification has not changed in the past 25 years.”

And over the years, this tropical paradise which is nestled into Island Point Hill, has catered to many loyal locals, visitors from across the globe and celebrities. In November 1996 former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton celebrated their wedding anniversary at Nautilus.

And it’s the mystique of this classic restaurant and location that continues to be one of the town’s star attractions. Walking up from a hidden pathway from the main street diners discover an awesome restaurant that is like stepping into another world.

 

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