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Uploaded on: March 6, 2024

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Long before the theatre complex was built this prime city location housed the legendary South Seas Restaurant.

This photograph (1962) by Lyle Fowler courtesy of The State Library of Victoria Picture Collection is of the South Seas Restaurant, which was in the basement of the Manchester Unity Building, at the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets.

The restaurant featured large palm trees, and fish tanks, that formed a tropical setting for tables and chairs. The South Seas even boasted a pond where at times two resident crocodiles lived.Tables were laid-out among the palms, while stools were presented as bright-coloured bongo drums, and waitresses wore hibiscus themed dresses to compliment the decor.

Angela Goodall writes - I loved going there and I remember the Crocodile in the glass enclosure. I loved the Fijian curry, it was delicious.

Alex Stojkovic writes - There was a pen enclosure at the back of the restaurant that housed a live crocodile.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -