How do you perfectly complement a breathtaking view while offering award-winning design? The Dunes restaurant is an impeccable example of how stunning design and architecture can pay tribute to the outside beauty with uncompromised and innovative ideas. 

Perfectly nestled into the sand dunes overlooking the Ocean Grove surf beach, The Dunes Café was brought to life by wanting to encapsulate the amazing views on offer while providing their customers with an exquisite dining experience. Drawing inspiration from the rolling dunes and sweeping curves of the landscape, the project brief was strict yet simple – create bespoke joinery that is elegant and stunning without compromising on functionality, strength, and longevity – vital components in any restaurant that borders the sea. 

This was a labour of love for our team. Hundreds of hand-cut and sanded Tasmanian Oak battens make up portable banquette seating modules and screens that mimic the sweeping curves of the picturesque rolling dunes. While concealed castors allow the modules to be easily separated, moved, and connected by venue staff. Allowing the space to easily transform from private dining to a unique multi-functional event space. From weddings and large work functions to café casual catch-ups. This design allows The Dunes to cater to many different occasions in prestigious grace. 

The natural material component was vitally important to ensure the structure fitted the immensely beautiful outdoor setting. Natural woods and earthy tones complement the overall feel of the space, while dark concrete polished floors ground the zone and add an element of sophisticated modern edge. The perfect place to indulge in culinary delights, or a delicious cocktail in a truly beautiful space. 

The simple and unobtrusive bar area is not only highly functional but also complements the remainder of the space with vertical lines and banquette seating. While the natural stone contrasting tones certainly make the bar area a beautiful focal point in the restaurant. The wall shelves were also handcrafted in Tasmanian Oak and fed through custom steel brackets and finished with powder coated aluminium plates. The bar front houses glass and dessert boxes crafted from the same timber profile as the screens and overhead steel skeleton shelving. Finished with fluted glass fronts and powder coated aluminium shelves.  

The use of different toned natural woods and stains gives the important element of warmth to the area while blending to accent the views outside the large glass windows – regardless of the weather. 

It is no surprise The Dunes design won; 

• Design of the year 2021 – ACFA awards 

• Best Free-Standing Furniture 2021 – ACFA awards