The third largest sand island in the world, Moreton Island, is an unspoiled paradise that changes only fractionally. A huge 95 per cent of the island is a protected national park. Every year, travellers from around the world come to explore this natural wonder via four-wheel driving, boating or camping. Best yet, the island is just 37 kilometres from Brisbane City. If it is not on your to-do list for a weekend sojourn at least once this year, then it should be!
In 2017, Moreton Island appeared in a blog entry from global travel website Expedia, entitled 15 Most Spectacular Places to Give You Wanderlust. In the list, this island rubbed shoulders with traditional tourism heavyweights like Paris, Phuket, Hong Kong, London and the flavour of the present, Tokyo. Expedia highlighted the island’s calm lagoons, champagne pools and striking lighthouse.
Among the superlatives is a mention of a location called the Gutter Bar, an establishment on the southernmost tip of the island, in the quiet town of Kooringal. It was the Gutter Bar’s metaphorical moment in the sun.
Well, there was another. A small group of Hollywood celebrities exploring Moreton Island also paid the bar a visit not too long ago. “We were happy to recently welcome Matt Damon and his family,” says Kath Smith, owner of the Gutter Bar. “Our bar has an easy-going environment and all our patrons were completely comfortable – nobody flocked for autographs or crowded around them. There was just the occasional selfie with them in the background. It was great to see them able to relax and enjoy Moreton Island.”
It is not just Expedia and Hollywood celebrities who believe the premises are worth a visit. On TripAdvisor, considered one of the leading travel review websites, the Gutter Bar has an enviable four-and-a-half star rating. Many TripAdvisor reviewers recommend it during a visit to Moreton Island, and congratulate it for its fresh food, the friendliness of its staff, its Australian feel and its incredible location.
So what is special about the world-famous Gutter Bar? “One of the Gutter Bar’s main features is that it is beautifully positioned right on the beach,” explains Kath. “It takes its name from Days Gutter [which is the channel northwest of Kooringal]. One of its key advantages is that the bay is one of the safest on Moreton Island – a place where boats can take shelter. People bring their boats and jet skis. We have seen craft up to 70 feet in size stop here.”
Most Gutter Bar patrons reach the venue by water or road. The former are either boaties or jet ski operators with the bar as their destination, while the latter are four-wheel drivers or campers taking a trip around Moreton Island. A small number of patrons access Moreton Island through the helipad at Kooringal.
Despite its relatively secluded location, the venue gets repeat business among travellers who frequent the island and is something of an institution among the boating community and tourists. Kath, with husband Peter, has held the keys for the past seven years. The Gutter Bar has existed in some form for up to 35 years. “The Gutter Bar started as a little general store – which still exists – and it developed from there. Tourists and drivers like to travel around the island. It’s convenient for boaties to land at a sheltered spot like Kooringal, so there was an obvious desire for a place to eat and a watering hole,” says Kath. “That’s how the Gutter Bar came to be. It has evolved as it has changed hands over the years, and its owners have tried different approaches. We believe we have developed an approach that encourages people to return.”
The Gutter Bar’s owner sees the premises as a traditional beach bar and restaurant – the laidback type of venue that has slowly disappeared from the coastlines of South East Queensland in past decades. “It’s located right on the beach, which is rare these days,” Kath says. “It’s the kind of place where you can just walk up. If you don’t have shoes on or you are wearing thongs, or if you are a gent without a shirt, it’s no worry.”
It is this casual environment that previous visitors identify as the venue’s vibe. Kath and Peter have endeavoured to give it an easy-going, island feel. “We have spent time travelling the Asia Pacific and visited some incredible beach bars along the way, and we have used elements of these for the Gutter Bar,” Kath explains. “It’s designed to have a tropical feel about it and our decorations give it an Australian flavour too. The bar is rustic. It has long wooden tables and bench seats. There’s a fireplace set in a corrugated iron enclosure, and there are maritime pieces including anchors, buoys, floats and even a historic boat out the front.”
They have also made the menu a prime focus. After all, that is the reason people come to a restaurant. “Our most popular meals are our freshly sourced seafood,” says Kath. “We offer fresh oysters, prawns, and fish and chips – the classics you really appreciate after a day out on the water. We are in the position to be able to source our oysters from local producers, and our prawns come from the island’s local trawlers. Fresh seafood is a huge drawcard for us, and we often get comments from customers about how excellent it is.”
The establishment also offers flathead, whiting and calamari, although you can get the lot on the hot and cold seafood platter, which Kath highly recommends. However, if you are one of those people who would go to an oceanfront restaurant and order the beef, you should try the Gutter Bar’s mouth-watering rib fillet or T-bone steak for dinner. Veal schnitzel and chicken parmigiana are also on offer, and a range of burgers is available for both lunch and dinner.
With the ability to seat up to 100 people, there is always room for driving, boating or flying visitors to the Gutter Bar. The bar has served as a venue for corporate functions, although they are selective about what they accept so that they can maintain that welcoming, laidback ambience for their usual customers.
Kath says, that with summer coming, it is a great time to visit Moreton Island. “The temperature is perfect for a swim and the water is crystal clear and inviting. This part of South East Queensland is unique because it’s protected and pristine. Summer is also oyster season so we will be offering incredible fresh oysters to people stopping by.”
The Gutter Bar is situated on 21 Kooringal Esplanade in Kooringal, which is near the southernmost point of Moreton Island. It is open seven days a week – from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and 9.30am to 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays. For bookings outside those hours, make sure you contact them on (07) 3409 0170.
By Chris Logan
Published in the Jan-Mar 2020 edition.
