Rodney Stevens
A trendy new bar at Wooli’s Solitary Island Marine Park Resort that is set to deliver Melbourne vibes from its American concept to the Clarence Valley is under construction from shipping containers.
The 383 Container Bar is the brainchild of resort managers Dylan and Casey Meaker, avid foodies who saw the opportunity to create a place where local families can go to eat and drink, while keeping the kids entertained.
“The concept of this bar began seven years ago when Dylan and I moved from Melbourne to Wooli to take on the management of Solitary Islands Resort,” Casey said.
“Being avid foodies from Melbourne and we saw an opportunity to bring some of the Melbourne vibes to the Northern Rivers.
After having their own family, the couple said the concept evolved to include children’s play areas.
“We then went on to start our own family and struggled to find places locally where families could go enjoy something to eat and drink and keep the kids engaged so that’s when the cafe/bar concept evolved to include play spaces for kids,” Casey said.
“In 2019 we travelled to the USA and found we became further inspired by American upcycled converted shipping container bars we saw in Colorado and from here we worked hard to bring the concept to life.
“The development application was originally submitted in 2019, the construction certificate approved in 2021, and in 2022 construction started.”
When complete, the bar will be the second in the Clarence Valley to be constructed from repurposed shipping containers, with Iluka’s Sedgers Reef Hotel beginning to trade this month from a temporary premises made from shipping containers while undergoing redevelopment.
Casey said the 383 Container Bar will be the ultimate gathering space, a bar, an event space, a backyard party and a place where kids can be kids.
“The 383 will be an all-encompassing gathering space with great music, local craft beers, boutique wines, affordable food and a play space entertaining all ages,” she said.
“Inspired by American converted shipping container market and food truck feels we are creating a family friendly gathering hub featuring a bar, café and indoor play space, housed in modified up-cycled shipping containers, with locally crafted rotating tap beer, ready to dish up some of the finest, most eclectic cuisine the town has to offer.”
The bar at 383 North Street Wooli will be located at the front entrance to Solitary Islands Marine Park Resort, Casey said, and will be open to both resort guests and the public later in 2023.
“The 383 will be built as a stand-alone brand to distinguish unique point of difference to our Holiday Park by creating the 383 and launching a stand-alone website, Facebook and Instagram platform,” she said.
“We will also be developing merchandise to sell and support brand, T-shirts, hats etc.
“Additionally, we will run targeted marketing campaigns across Google and Facebook using Solitary Islands Resort database of 40,000 previous guests and engaging social media influencers that are on board to support the launch.”