Frequently Asked Questions
Bookings
Do we need to book?
Walk-ins of up to four people can usually be accommodated without a booking. For larger groups, especially for Friday nights and weekend lunches, we recommend booking ahead. Book online via our Book a Table page.
What about large groups?
Groups of 1–8 can book through the standard booking form. Groups of 9–14 are subject to availability and prior arrangement, contact us to enquire. Groups of 15 or more are private functions only.
Do you host car clubs?
No, our venue is too small for the size of most clubs and to absorb the variability of numbers on run days.
Do you do private functions?
Yes. Details on our event and function page.
At the Venue
Are kids welcome?
Bring your grommets, they will love it. We’ve got monkey bars, giant board games, normal board games, arcade games and colouring in pages – plus plenty of things to wonder at. Kids love the Nessie burger, small chips, and the dinosaur chicken nuggets, all on the regular menu.
Are dogs allowed?
Sorry, no dogs. (Service animals excepted).
Can we camp in your yard?
No, but there’s free camping next to the town’s tennis courts, a short walk/stumble away.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
We have a wheelchair ramp available on request and disabled parking within metres of the door. The toilets are the original servo toilets and aren’t accessible. (An accessible toilet is in the works.)
Is there parking?
Yes. Onsite carpark with a dedicated motorbike bay. Classic, custom and unique cars are welcome to park on the forecourt.
Is it air-conditioned?
Yes, we have upgraded from our 1970s aircon plus we have a lovely wood heater for the cold months.
Food & Drink
Can we bring our own food or drinks?
You’re welcome to bring a celebration cake. We can provide plates and cutlery, $2 cakeage per person. We’re fully licensed so strictly no BYO alcohol. Anyone caught with their own grog will be asked to leave.
Do you do takeaway?
Yes. Order in person, full menu available. No phone or internet orders. Our focus is on the in-house experience but takeaway is there if you need it.
Do you do delivery?
No.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
Most of our burgers can be converted to vegetarian, vegan, dairy free or gluten free. We make our own veggie patties in-house. Other dietary needs, let us know when you book or order and we’ll do what we can.
How long will I wait for my food?
Our cook can put together a basic burger in around three minutes. Made-to-order means your food leaves the kitchen fresh, not sitting under a heat lamp, but it does mean a short wait. If something is taking longer than expected we’ll let you know, and if something has gone wrong on our end we’ll make it right.
Occasionally things outside our control affect the kitchen: equipment, staffing, or a large group ahead of you with a complicated order. If your experience falls short, please tell us on the day rather than after. We can’t fix what we don’t know about in the moment.
We don’t do pies, sausage rolls or grab-and-go. Everything is made fresh to order.
You were wondering …
Why aren’t you open when I drive past?
We’re open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, check the hours below. Monday to Thursday we’re closed to the public, not because we’re sleeping in, but because running a small regional venue properly takes a lot more than the hours you see. When we’re not serving you, we’re prepping food, making sauces and ice cream from scratch, ordering stock, doing the books, maintaining the building, and building the venue’s future with our own hands. We’re two people. The hours we’re open are the hours we can do well. We’d rather be worth the trip three days a week than mediocre every day.
Why aren’t you open more days?
We’re a destination venue, not a town cafe. Weekday passing traffic is limited and doesn’t cover costs. Friday is our weekday offering — if Friday bookings keep growing we’ll look at adding more. In the meantime, come on a Friday. (also, see above)
Do you have live music?
We have in the past and will again in future, the licensing fees for live music venues are significant and we’re working through that. Follow us on social media for updates.
You should sell petrol. Why don’t you?
The last time this building sold petrol was over thirty years ago, the equipment is long gone. We try to honour the history of the building, but selling petrol is an entirely different business and would cost millions to build.
So what is this, Gilligan’s Island?
Not quite. Our theme is tiki, Australiana, and things we like. Tiki is a post-WWII aesthetic movement, servicemen returning from the Pacific brought tropical island style home with them. Gilligan’s Island was inspired by that culture. Our main inspiration is growing up in holiday towns in the 70s.
How long have you been here?
We opened on Australia Day 2019 as a cafe, closed during COVID for a full renovation, and reopened as a burger restaurant on Australia Day 2023. Everything you see has been built from a bare shell. More on the About page.
How do I know if you’re open?
Our hours are posted on Google Maps, Facebook, Instagram, our website, and on a large board in the forecourt. When we’re open: the driveway chains are down, two Now Open flags are flying, the A-frame signs are out front, the blinds are up, and our dinosaur is on the nature strip. The interior can look dark from the road due to our large south-facing windows, if the dinosaur’s out, we’re in.
In several years of operating we’ve only ever closed unexpectedly twice due to illness. If our stated hours say we’re open, we’re open. Still not sure? Check our social media and this website before making the drive.
Where did you get all the stuff? Can I buy something?
The short answer is everywhere, and no. Our decor is a mix of handmade pieces, local art by Paul, fibreglass creatures built by Rob in Trentham, op shop finds (Deb has a gift), and generous donations and loans from customers. Nothing is for sale.