Cairns institution Barnacle Bill’s shuts after nearly four decades

One of Cairns’ longest-running restaurants is closing its doors and will be replaced by a Palm Cove brand instead.

Barnacle Bill’s Seafood Inn is closing after 37 years, with owners Arthur and Tony Basha informing its customers via Facebook that the restaurant has been leased to new operators.

“After 37 wonderful years Barnacle Bill’s has closed,” the post read.

“We would like to thank our clients for their continued support throughout the years.

 “We hope you have as many fond memories as we do. It has been an amazing journey.”

Paul Gilmartin, who owns Jack & Shanan’s at Palm Cove and Martin Boylan from Neptune’s will open a new Neptune’s franchise on the site on Monday after “putting a bit of paint up and some signs”.

“This was an opportunity that came about and Marty and myself decided to go into partnership,” he told The Cairns Post.

“We decided to jump on this, we know Arthur Basha from Barnacle Bill’s and he wants to retire.”

Sheridan Randall, 15^th May 2019