After three years of closure, Nielsen Park’s Shark Beach and its much-loved kiosk are finally reopening, with the construction fencing coming down this month.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Bill Drakopoulos, operator of The Nielsen hospitality complex, has reflected on the long journey back to welcoming beachgoers.
“People were coming in by kayak to swim on the beach because it wasn’t fenced on the waterside. You can’t stop Aussies,” Drakopoulos said, recalling the determination of Sydneysiders to access the harbour beach even during the lengthy closure.
Shark Beach closed in March 2022 for the replacement of its century-old seawall, with plans to reopen by December that year. However, wet weather, asbestos discoveries, and engineering disputes pushed the timeline back significantly.
Now, with the recent replacement of the beach’s signature safety net, Drakopoulos notes the finishing touches are complete on Nielsen Park’s rejuvenated waterfront.
“It’s a really close-knit community here, meeting for a swim and a coffee. They’ve missed the beach,” he said.
Drakopoulos’ Sydney Restaurant Group, known for venues like Sails at Lavender Bay and Manta in Woolloomooloo, has made its mark at Vaucluse by catering to the beach-loving crowd.
“The Kiosk isn’t an upmarket restaurant. It’s like a bistro at a really cool pub, you order at the counter, there are maybe 100 seats [including] outside,” Drakopoulos explained. The site has also expanded to include The Beach Club, an events space.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
