A new couple in town, Dharminder Singh and Sukhbir Kaur, are enjoying their move to Bamaga.

Sukhbir Kaur (left) and Dharminder Singh (right)

Originally from Punjab in India, Mr Singh, Cape York Peninsula Lodge’s Restaurant Supervisor, says he has been relishing the warm, tropical climate of Australia’s far north region that reminds him of home.

On their days off the pair make the most of the outdoors, exploring nearby trails, fishing spots and visiting Cape York’s breathtaking waterfalls.

The pair moved from Brisbane late last year. Mr Singh says working at the Lodge has been a great opportunity to learn new skills and build on the couple’s previous experience.

Meanwhile Ms Kaur has been putting her certificate in commercial cookery to good use working under experienced cooks and chefs at the restaurant.

“At the Lodge we serve Asian and Italian food so I’m learning new things every day. The dinner rush is my favourite part of the day because it’s busy,” she says.

Mr Singh says what he most looks forward to, apart from working with his wife, is meeting new people and seeing a smile on a customer’s face. “There is no better feeling than having a satisfied customer,” he says.

BEL management is happy to report restaurant, bar and bistro operations are ramping up for the tourism season, after experiencing vaccine-related staffing issues earlier this year. Additionally, COVID-19 restrictions around vaccine certificates and QR check-ins have been lifted.

The Tavern and the Lodge continue to provide new offerings to keep things interesting for local customers, with a refreshed Bistro kitchen team and a new Manager, Harrison Mylrea, at the Lodge.

Paperbark Restaurant has introduced a full breakfast menu available every day from 7am to 8.30am. Healthy breakfast options include house-made granola, eggs Florentine and a big vegetarian breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea.

The bar opens at 5pm with a gourmet snack menu perfect for after-work drinks, while the Restaurant’s à la carte dinner service opens daily at 6pm with last orders taken at 8pm.

New dishes on the menu include Tablelands striploin fillet with a herbed mash and vegetables and pan-fried barramundi with Sop Sop, broccolini and dill hollandaise. For dessert enjoy the decadent white chocolate & pecan pie, or the delicate pear & ricotta tart.

Drop into Regina’s Lounge and treat yourself to a delicious meal, or grab a cold drink while you wait for your take-away order to be prepared.

For a heartier meal at the bistro’s dining area, you can’t go past classic pub fare such as a chicken parmigiana or burger, with vegetarian options also available. The newest menu item is homemade pie, perfect for lunch or dinner on the go.

Regina’s Lounge, open five days a week for lunch and dinner:

Tuesday: 12-2pm and 5-7pm

Wednesday to Saturday: 12-2pm and 5-8pm

Bar is open from 10am from mid-May

BEL has completed construction of the township’s newest accommodation, Bamaga Motel, near Bamaga Tavern, as well as converting five cabins and an additional unit at Cape York Peninsula Lodge into self-contained accommodation.

Tavern accommodation update

Bamaga Motel’s 15 prefabricated units arrived in early April and were installed in May. 

The motel, which is part of a $2.4 million upgrade project by BEL, was completed in mid-June. Rooms can be booked through Cape York Peninsula Lodge. Additional work, including surfacing the car parks and entrance driveway with bitumen is being undertaken together with landscaping, fencing and installation of automatic gates.

Former BEL General Manager Chris Foord says the units were planned to meet growing demand for accommodation in the region.

“We’ve had an impressive level of bookings for the upcoming tourist season and it’s hard to find the space to accommodate all the tour groups that wish to visit while catering for our normal Government and corporate guests,” Mr Foord says.

“The Tavern units will provide a mid-range accommodation option for visitors, including sporting teams competing in the NPA, those attending cultural festivals and events, 4×4 enthusiasts, grey nomads and families.

“They will also be ideal for travellers looking to relax and refresh after being on the road for a while to enjoy a meal and beer at the Tavern’s bistro before heading off to visit tourist sites.”

Additionally, the street frontage of Bamaga Tavern has also been improved with retaining walls and sandstone block steps leading to the entrance of the Tavern.

Upgraded Lodge cabins ready for tourist season

Five cabins at Cape York Peninsula Lodge have
also been converted into self-contained ‘Garden
Cottages’ to cater to increased guest demand.

The cabins started out as eco tent structures
but were modified after a few years to better
suit long-term use in a tropical climate and
avoid mould during the wet season.

But those modifications did not have ensuites and guests used a shared bathroom block. Mr Foord says that many travellers visiting the region, especially longer-term visitors, wanted accommodation with a private bathroom and cooking facilities.

A larger open-sided eco tent previously used as a dining/lounge facility for the barbeque area has also been converted into a fully self-contained unit.

Set at the rear of the property among lush greenery, the Garden Cottages feature new ensuites and kitchenettes, plus a balustrade around the verandas, giving a true retreat feel. The pathways have been re-gravelled, and turf laid throughout to revitalise the whole landscape.

The upgraded accommodation is now available for bookings.

BEL has undertaken a feasibility study and has lodged a funding application to build an additional seven stand-alone accommodation units and a new undercover dance performance area.

WANT TO RECEIVE LODGE NEWS?

Sign up via the button below to receive Cape York Peninsula Lodge’s updates, including new menus, opening hours and what’s on at the Lodge. Subscribe here.