The Windmill Motor Lodge
168 Pacific Highway
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Phone 02 6652 2933
Fax 02 6652 5872
info@bigwindmill.com.au
About The Motor Inn
Restaurant
For the past twenty years our award-winning Windmill Restaurant has served quality seafood, char-grilled steaks and Dutch specialties using the freshest local produce. To dine inside our authentic Dutch Windmill is one of the most unique experiences in Coffs Harbour. Children's menus are available as well as a great selection of desserts. Our restaurant is fully licensed. Chef specials focus on classic, seasonal meals. Chicken, beef and fish are always featured on the menu. Fresh Nambucca River oysters. Homemade macadamia ice cream. Vegetarians and people with special dietary requirements are catered for.
See our Children's menu. All children's meals are $11.50.
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Conferences & Functions
The Windmill Restaurant caters for functions of up to 120 people. For smaller functions the first floor of the Windmill provides an intimate and private venue. For details please contact us with your requirements. All usual conference facilities are on hand (DVD, OHP, screen, video). Conferences are fully catered. Two or three day conferences are our speciality and we can include special accommodation rates and evening meals.
History of the Big Windmill
In 1968 Mr Franz de Keever, a Dutch architect working in Melbourne and his wife Rie purchased the six acre site with a view to building a motel and authentic Dutch restaurant. After completing ten motel units, construction on the Windmill Restaurant started in 1972. Originally the most difficult problem was finding the eight timber poles of the same size and width to support the structure. Finally after a long search Mr De Keever found what he was looking for in forests near Kempsey. However tragedy struck in 1974 when half way through the construction Mr De Keever was killed when he fell while working on the frame of the mill. A small brass commemoration plaque with his initials "F.D." is located outside at the base of the mill.
The site remained half finished until 1977 when Hans Eecen and his family called in to stay at "De Windmolen" as it was then named. After long discussions with Rie De Keever they purchased the motel and Hans set about completing the windmill. The blades or "wieken" were made in Holland by Harry Dercke who came out to assist with the assembly. It was officially opened in 1982 by the Ambassador from the Netherlands - a tribute to two very determined Dutchmen. The Eecen family travelled back to Holland regularly and bought the authentic Delft plates that are hanging on the walls as well as the numerous Dutch artefacts that are located throughout the restaurant and cocktail bar. Hans continued building onto the motel to complete the present 43 rooms.
The Big Windmill is currently run by Mark & Jodi Taylor. Our executive chef Matthew Fallon has kept a few signature dishes on the menu and combines these with influences from Asia, France and the Mediterranean. Only the freshest local produce is used in his cooking and he has developed quite a following in the local area.
