SA’s iconic Mallee Fowl restaurant could be yours
Investors hungry for a property that will offer more than just a fruitful return can’t go past this golden opportunity.
The iconic Mallee Fowl Restaurant in South Australia’s Riverland has hit the market, giving prospective buyers a chance to tap into the region’s hospitality and tourism industries.
Its Australian outback theme has made it a popular spot for locals and tourists to wine and dine in Berri over the years.
Owner Frank Donnelly was reluctant to sell the business but says the time is right.
The restaurant is renowned for its Australian outback theme. Pic: realcommercial.com.au
He says it needs someone who can pour their heart and soul into it.
“The only reason I’m selling is because I’m getting older,” he says.
“It needs young blood in it – I will only sell it to a person who’s got a lot of energy.
“You’ve got to be a person who wants a challenge.”
Donnelly bought the property about three-and-a-half years ago despite moving to the Riverland to retire.
“(The Mallee Fowl) has been going for 20-odd years,” he says.
It’s inundated with bookings year-round. Pic: realcommercial.com.au
There is plenty of space for pets, including emus and chooks. Pic: realcommercial.com.au
“It was closed down when I bought it and no one wanted it because it was in the middle of nowhere.
“I had a restaurant in Warrnambool and I moved up here to retire, but when I saw this I fell in love with it.”
“Everything about it is Australiana.”
The sale will include the restaurant, its paraphernalia, beer and display fridges, a staged amphitheatre with seating and all other buildings on the roughly 4.45ha site.
It operates off-the-grid and has a recently built airconditioned bedroom and office adjacent the restaurant, as well as an enclosed area outside for the emus, ducks, geese, chickens, lyrebirds, turkeys, a shetland pony and many other pets.
It has an operating licence for seven-day trading between 7am and 2am, and has seating for 135 customers inside and an additional 200 outside.
Donnelly says they are inundated with bookings year-round so the business offers a lucrative investment.
The property last sold about three-and-a-half years ago. Pic: realcommercial.com.au
There is plenty of space for live entertainment outside. Pic: realcommercial.com.au
“You’ve got to book probably a week in advance to get in – even before the virus started, you were still lucky to get in on a Friday or Saturday night,” he says.
Donnelly holds fond memories of the Mallee Fowl, including a 100th birthday and two-day long Powderfinger tribute.
“The beauty of the restaurant is, by the end of the night everybody talks to everybody,” he says. “It’s a beautiful place.”
It is listed through Property Gurus SA agent Sam Swami without a price guide.
This article from The Advertiser originally appeared as “Iconic Mallee Fowl Restaurant in SA’s Riverland hits the market”.
