Page 108 - Port Douglas Magazine 37

Hughie’s
in Mossman
A new wine bar in Mossman has opened
its door and the town is abuzz!
Paul Makin had a chat to local entrepreneur,
and the man behind this new venture,
Paul McMahon to hear how this idea
came to life.
WORDS by Paul Makin
108 Port Douglas Travel Planner
PHOTO CREDIT: Rob Cooke
At that time, Paul found himself redundant. Here he was out of work with With the project nearing completion, an opening date was sealed when the
a wife, four children and a mortgage, but this small bump in the road only venue received its first official booking, a local wedding. Now all they needed
spurred him on to achieve some sort of independence in the hospitality was all hands-on-deck, a bit of good luck and oh, a name!
and retail sectors. It was decided the family would start their monopoly set
by selling their home and buying a pub. But where? Where was there an Taking a step back in history, George Elphinstone Dalrymple was an early
Australian explorer, colonist, public servant, and politician. Naming the
opportunity? Maybe Brisbane? No, the numbers didn’t stack up there. But then
Mossman Hotel came up for sale and the numbers did stack up in a town Mossman River on 6 December 1873 as a tribute to his close friend Hugh
Mossman, the town followed suit and the township of Mossman was born.
where he felt there was potential for growth. A renovated Mossman Hotel in
Far North Queensland proved to be a great investment. Then, another bottle Hugh was also a Queensland politician and he owned mines (he discovered
gold in Charters Towers). By all accounts though, Hugh Mossman was also
shop. Located next to Woolworths, the Bottle-O seemed the right fit. In their
second year of business, Paul and the team won the award for best bottle shop known as a bit of a bit of a larrikin. Paul felt such an interesting character,
in Queensland, proud of their great service, product selection and knowledge locked into the history of the town seemed a fitting choice to carry the wine
that had won them gold. I guess if the hat fits …. the Bottle-O went on to win bar’s name - welcome to Hughie’s!
PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Makin this coveted award for the next three years!
In their second year of business, Paul and the team
Back in Port Douglas, a takeover of the Barrier Reef Tavern and a spruce up
once again proved if you give people what they want and work hard, success will won the award for best bottle shop in Queensland,
follow. Landlord was now added to this entrepreneur’s resume. Fortunately, the proud of their great service, product selection and
amous for its fields of sugar cane, home to the magnificent Mossman space was taken by talented chef Jed Sneddon and now hosts the busy and
Gorge and Kuku Yalanji people, Mossman is a picturesque little award-winning restaurant, Kai. knowledge that had won them gold.
Ftownship nestled at the foot of lush mountain ranges. The main As a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Paul did not sit idle and
street offers an eclectic mix of country stores - look up and you will see he continued to look for opportunities in Mossman. He wanted to create
lovely examples of Australian architecture, including some classic Aussie something special that would both complement the portfolio but more It was certainly a ‘wow’ moment for me as Paul gave a me a guided tour of the
pubs. Front Street, as it is known, weaves its way through the heart of the importantly for his community. “I realised there were a number of locals who new venue. He and wife Susie set out to create a beautiful space and they’ve
township. The vibe is local and friendly.
didn’t want to drink in the pubs,” Paul said. “It was just not their style, but they succeeded in spectacular fashion.
While pubs and Mossman go well together, wine bars and Mossman don’t felt starved for choice when it came to a high-end destination.” What will hit you immediately as you walk in is the ambience, a warm relaxed
exactly roll off the tongue. Yet thanks to an industrious local entrepreneur, this
is becoming a reality. When the Mossman Cycle Sports shop came up for sale (ironically the next- space accentuated by the timbers. The bar top for example is white mahogany
and the steel beams are disguised with New Guinea Rosewood.
door property to the family’s Mossman Hotel), Paul secured it and his vision to
Meet Paul McMahon. Paul grew up in Park Orchards, 23 km north-east of open Mossman’s first wine bar took a big leap forward. The old shop needed Mossman is slowly but surely making a name for itself outside of sugar. It’s
Melbourne. He was attracted to hotel management from an early age and
some massive TLC, completely gutted inside to become a project three years in
travelled to Sydney to manage pubs for four years. Ironically, one of the hotels the making. Paul and wife Susie set out to create a beautiful space, determined a credit to everyone with a business there helping to make Mossman a more
he managed was the Bridgepoint Tavern at Mosman, the other Mossman with not to settle for less. “Everything we do we try to do it first class, spend money, attractive town for visitors and locals alike. Tapas is the food of choice for the
one ‘s’. His next stop was the historic Orient Hotel at the Rocks where he was do it once and do it properly,” said Paul. Where possible, local trades people and bar, and of course there is a fine selection of wine and cocktails too.
the 23-year-old licensee. Then it was onto the Marlborough Hotel in King materials were used too. “For example, Chris Jenkin from Galaxi Homes did So next time you are visiting and wish to sample some tapas and fine wine, or
Street Newtown. Subsequently he joined CUB (Carlton United Breweries) and an amazing job with our vision of what the bar should look like”. Mossman’s simply start the weekend in the right way, make sure you add Hughie’s Wine
worked in several places in Queensland, including Cairns. It was then back Richard Davis did all the upholstery work and Hatfield Electrical were the Bar in Mossman to your list. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed, and it will
to Melbourne with CUB to look after Woolworths and Coles. After 16 years sparkies on the project. Even the beer garden was designed and landscaped by leave you planning your next cheers or special event! And if you are game and
it was time to move on. Paul joined the Independent Distillers organisation John Sullivan from Hortulus Port Douglas. Considerate of staff, the second enjoy rum, then why not try the rum that Bundaberg has created especially for
which was ultimately purchased by Asahi who ended up buying CUB. It had floor was also fully renovated offering accommodation, a bathroom and a share Hughie’s? Named the ‘Undertakers Blend’ … I dare not ask what the origins
come full circle. kitchen for the team to use. of that one are!
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 109