Rare business opportunities at The Briars

Published on 04 April 2022

The Briars Master Plan focusses on protecting, enhancing and celebrating the natural, cultural and heritage beauty of The Briars. What is already loved by our community will remain and we will bring in some new, carefully considered experiences allowing more people to enjoy this special place.
 
We are now seeking expressions of interest for the restaurant/village and glamping precincts. These are truly unique opportunities capitalising on the growing residential and tourism market on the Peninsula.

Restaurant/The Village
Mornington Peninsula is home to some of the most glorious culinary experiences in Australia, with hatted restaurants and wineries dotted across the entire Shire.
 
People from near and far travel to eat at our restaurants, take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy everything the region has to offer.
 
Located in a heritage listed building with uninterrupted views of the beauty that is The Briars, you wouldn’t be surprised if a kangaroo skipped past during dinner service!
 
We are looking for someone who wants to elevate the restaurant experience and influence the new village precinct. A precinct where the focus will be on growing fresh food, serving up inspired meals, educating visitors and giving back to our community.
 
Your chefs will be cooking with homegrown fresh produce that will also be available to purchase at the market gate.
 
We want our visitors to feel inspired to grow their own vegetables and fruit at home. Selling fresh food and seeds grown at The Briars through the market gate will support growers and their work to protect the environment by sequestering carbon.
 
You’ll have the creative freedom to create the restaurant of your dreams. You may want to run the market gate, grow your own food or you might want to focus only on the restaurant – we will work those details out during negotiations.

Sanctuary Dreaming Glamping
The Briars’ brand-new glamping experience, Sanctuary Dreaming, will immerse guests in the beauty of the Peninsula’s flora, fauna and Aboriginal culture. Busy roads will be replaced with bush and bird songs, campfires, Aboriginal stories and stargazing, night walks and delicious bush food.
 
As guests settle in their tents in the peace and beauty of twilight, Australian wildlife will emerge from the bushland to feed by the waterhole. Guests may choose to stay in for the evening, enjoying a bush-food barbecue pack from the restaurant or venture out to a nearby restaurant.
 
Throughout the afternoon and evening, a host is available to take guests on a range of Sanctuary Dreaming experiences including a night walk, bush food cooking class, star gazing or didgeridoo meditation.
 
After a lovely night’s sleep, tuck into a delicious brekky cooked by the host or stroll up to the restaurant for a big café breakfast. As The Briars wakes up and comes to life, guests can join a range of activities to extend their stay.
 
Sanctuary Dreaming guests will take with them an enduring connection to the land and to the culture of the Traditional Custodians.
 
On-site briefing session
Want to know more? Join our on-site presentation to learn more and ask questions. This will give you background information and inspiration to build your EOI proposal. Tuesday 26 April, 10am at the Briars.

Expressions of interest applications are open until 9 June. EOI proposals are non-binding.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity go to: mornpen.vic.gov.au /briarsmasterplan