SMOKED eel and educational tours will be features of a revitalised Tarzali Lakes complex, which is to re-open to the public on Saturday. 

The complex will reopen under the name of 'Tarzali Lakes Aquaculture Centre' more than two years since it was devastated by Cyclone Larry.

Since then there have been several changes, with former owner Peter Whiddett selling a stake in the property to Paul Kramer and Ranzi Halabi.

Mr Whiddett will stay on as manager.

Mr Kramer said apart from fishing, they would run aquaculture and platypus tours, while a smokehouse was being set up to cook eels, redclaw and fish.

"Myself and Ranzi aren't the hands on types, so Peter will run everything,'' he told The Cairns Post.

"But it is going to be really good and we are hoping to generate about 50 tonnes of fish  annually in the next few years.''

A key target are the Chinese, who apparently have a taste for smoked eel.

The smokehouse will be run by master butcher Dave Hoffman.

"The native food industry on the tablelands is developing rapidly and the variety of bush flavours is truly enormous,'' Mr Hoffman said.

It is expected the smokehouse will be used to cook kangaroo and buffalo in the future.

Visitors soon will be able to enjoy a range of exotic Asian flavours in the cafe, including Thai delicacies like Tom Yum Red Claw.

Peter Whiddett was talking of leaving the property a year ago, but yesterday was delighted to see the it looking better than ever.

"I'm just stoked with the result and think we can really make a go of it,'' he said yesterday.

Tarzali Lakes is on the Millaa Millaa - Malanda Road south-west of Cairns.

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