This week,Urbnsurf announced Applejack Hospitality was on board to open three food and drink venues at the park:a premium restaurant with a rooftop terrace;a waterfront bar and cafe;and a kiosk.
“We’re diving headfirst into a new market with our biggest multi-site precinct to date,” said Ben Carroll,who co-founded Applejack with Hamish Watts in 2011.
The growing hospitality group – known for hatted North Sydney restaurantRafi and Surry Hills pubForrester’s,among others – says the high-end restaurant on the upper level will focus on sustainably sourced seafood.
“Our goal is to create a dining experience that’s just as memorable as the waves,” Patrick Friesen,Applejack’s culinary director,tells Good Food.
“[There will be] light,bright,[and] vibrant coastal food … taking inspiration from our local farmers,fishers and producers.
“We’re committed to offering our guests something truly special that captures the essence of the surf culture,while maintaining our Applejack restaurant standard.”
While still in the planning stages,the food at the ground-floor bar and cafe will have more of a “coastal Mexican influence”,in a departure from standard theme-park fare.
“Expect colourful and fresh tacos,bowls,margaritas and more,” says Watts.
“[We wanted to provide something] easy to snack on in between waves,or to pair with cocktails as you watch.
“The eatery will have heaps of al fresco space … to complement the laidback vibe of the surf park,accommodating around 110 people seated.”
The cafe will also provide takeaway options and service to the nearby event lawns and private poolside cabanas.
Perfect,year-round waves,plus an on-site surf academy,a 20-metre leisure pool,an eight-metre kids’ pool and a skate park are expected to attract upwards of 1000 visitors each day. There will also be a space beside the surf lagoon with capacity for up to 2000 people for concerts,shows and sporting events.
Homebush Park will be the second Urbnsurf in Australia. The first venue,which opened at Tullamarine near Melbourne Airport in 2020,is catered byThree Blue Ducks.