Rolling on the River with Noosa Boathouse
To celebrate turning 10, we’re sharing the stories of some of the amazing businesses who’ve been with us from the start. Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer chats to Sarah Bradford from Noosa Boathouse…
What three words describe Noosa Boathouse?
Iconic, friendly and local (both in terms of produce and community).
How many years have you been in business?
Phil has been indirectly involved with Noosa Boathouse since 2008, and together we have owned and operated the business since 2013. We’ve also entered into a number of business ventures associated with Noosa Boathouse, including accommodation properties Regatta Noosa and Twin Quays, along with Noosa Ferries.
How did your first 10 years feel?
Exhausting but rewarding – at times, the first three years felt like we were refurbishing the Titanic! We put in a lot of hard work to gain a local following, recognising how important it was to have our local community onboard. The game-changer was when we decided the Boathouse had to be an iconic destination of its own. Chef Shane Bailey was a big part of this with his passion for using fresh and locally-sourced ingredients in all facets of the venue – whether you’re grabbing fish and chips on the river or holding your wedding with us, every experience at Noosa Boathouse should be a positive one. After five years of hard work in the business, we’d built a fantastic management team and staff, which allowed us to step back and work on the business, rather than in it.
What lessons have you learned?
1. Maintenance and presentation of your product and venue is important. Upkeep of equipment and maintaining the vessel is vital.
2. Always maintain a point of difference – for us it’s easy as we have our unique location, but this must be supported by genuine food and service.
3. Maintain agility in an ever-changing market and industry. You must be ready to pivot, adapt or change when required. Resilience is key.
How do you celebrate milestones?
At our five-year mark, we hosted a ‘Friends of Boathouse’ lunch in the River Room, inviting key stakeholders and locals who had supported us along the journey. This was a wonderful celebration of how far we’d come as a business and a way of recognising the support we’d had from the Noosa community. We also hold a couple of staff parties every year to say thank you to our hardworking team.
Why is Noosa Boathouse special?
As we’re a floating vessel sitting on the river, our absolute waterfront location and stunning sunset views make our venue very unique. With three levels and five separate facets to the business, including Little Boaty Coffee Bar, Fish & Chips Takeaway, the Restaurant, Sunset Bar and Weddings & Events, there’s something for everyone within our venue.
What’s next for you?
We want to continue to operate a sustainable business that supports the local community and offers consistently great food and service for visitors and locals alike. We’re always seeking ways to improve on our venue and product, so stay tuned for what’s next! Together with other local businesses, we’d love to collectively keep Noosa on the map as a desirable destination for good food, great events and remarkable experiences.
What’s the secret to success?
Always support and recognise your locals, and support and encourage your staff, which leads to loyalty. Serve honest dishes with local ingredients that reflect the seasons. Always work with your competitors, not against them, as success for our region means success for all.
Why choose IN Noosa Magazine?
IN Noosa Magazine celebrates the best things about our amazing town. It has a loyal local readership, and is also a must-read for visitors to Noosa. The team are super supportive and flexible, bringing a huge element of fun to everything they do and are always keen to be part of exciting Noosa events. Deb and John have created a fantastic publication that’s perfectly suited to the relaxed yet sophisticated Noosa reader, and they are always looking for ways to support the businesses who believe in and support their product. We’re thrilled to have been part of the ride this last decade with the IN Noosa team, and we look forward to another 10 years!
