LOCALS ONLY

CHEF TOBIN KENT’S restaurant, Moonah, in Connewarre near Torquay, 100 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, was scheduled to welcome its first guests in September 2020, during Victoria’s second lockdown.

“COVID-19 didn’t impact our business in such a negative way, as it did so many other businesses,” says Tobin. “We were delayed by two months, but I feel the business was still able to grow and evolve during this time, even though we were not able to trade. I also believe that COVID has drawn attention to supporting local businesses and living in a low-impact, sustainable manner, which is exactly what Moonah is all about.”

With only 12 seats, Moonah delivers an intimate, fine-dining experience. Tobin deliberately kept the restaurant small to ensure consistently high-quality dishes and service, and to allow each guest an unobstructed view of the stunning surrounding wetlands. The 29-year-old’s commitment to showcasing