The Cuckoo, Australia’s first all-you-can-eat smorgasbord restaurant, has been mesmerising hundreds of thousands of palates since 1958. Run by charismatic couple Willi and Karin Koeppen, the very first Bavarian-style restaurant brought a touch of traditional Swedish cuisine charm to Melbourne. The much-loved venue has now been brought to the market by Colliers in conjunction with Bell Real Estate to give new hope to the established phenomenon.
Located on 508 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda, the esteemed Cuckoo Restaurant freehold hosted over 7 million patrons, including prime ministers and rock stars, throughout its history under its warm-hearted banner. The agents, Lucas Soccio and James Zhuang from Colliers and Elliot Bell from Bell Real Estate, expect the property to attract strong interest from local and national occupiers and investors.
The unique asset is offered with vacant possession providing incoming purchasers the flexibility to re-ignite the world-famous restaurant or create a new chapter. The property encompasses a fully functional hospitality fitout with a 400-seat restaurant and reception capacity. Originally a small cottage called Quamby Tea Rooms in the late 20s’, The Cuckoo now spans 3 levels with a building area of 1,065 sqm on 3.78 hectares.
Additionally, the property comes with a current liquor license and council food permits ready to transfer. It benefits from a strong strategic emplacement near the charming townships of Olinda and Sassafras, continuously attracting tourism in the Dandenong Ranges.
Colliers Melbourne Metro Sales Executive Lucas Soccio commented, “The tourism market in 2024 has continued to gain traction with over 590,000 people visiting Australia in just the month of April,”
“Visitors keep coming to the country and not just for a once-off trip. Out of all tourists visiting Australia, 63% are return visits whilst 37% are first-time travellers,” Mr. Soccio added.
Colliers Melbourne Metro Sales Executive James Zhuang concluded that this offering provides an incoming operator or investor to garner the tourism growth to re-establish this historic venue to its prior glory.
508 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda, is offered for Sale via Expressions of Interest closing on the 4th of July (AEST).
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