We reported two days ago that signs pointed to Jimmy Buffett returning to Australia in September.

This morning, Richard Wilkins of the Australian Today Show confirmed that Jimmy will play two shows down under next month.

No dates have been announced yet, but there are rumors of a show in Brisbane on the 21st and another in Melbourne on the 23rd.

We’ll bring you more details when they’re available.

Could Jimmy Buffett be returning to Australia in September?

A couple weeks ago the Margarillas tweeted that they’d be heading overseas next month:

Word has it from #Margaritaville headquarters that we may need our passports in September. Stay tuned!

Our discussion board member Garrett (parrothead mania) picked up on a possible hint during Buffett’s recent show in Atlantic City. During the song “Southern Cross,” Buffett said “next month” after the line “when you see the Southern Cross for the first time.”

It’s possible that Buffett may be referring to a personal trip somewhere below the equator, but paired with the Margarillas’ tweet it seems like a good guess that he’ll be back Down Under in September.

You can listen to the song yourself here (relevant part begins at 2:10)

The Mountain Press reports that plans for a Margaritaville restaurant in Gatlinburg, Tennessee have been given the go-ahead:

To local Parrotheads’ delight, the city’s Municipal/Regional Planning Commission approved the site plan for Margaritaville — a popular Jimmy Buffett-inspired casual dining chain — during its Monday evening meeting.

The 13,000-square foot restaurant will sit at 805 Parkway—a property that was home to the recently-demolished Midtown Lodge and an area where construction is almost completed on a two-story parking garage that’s accessible from River Road and Parkway. The restaurant and parking garage will share the same tract, City Planner David Ball explained.

“There’s enough space there for both,” he told the board.

The single-story building will boast an outdoor dining area and have approximately 400 seats. A retail store will be connected to the restaurant — located on the upper portion of the lot, at the corner of Maple Lane and Parkway — though the retail component would only be a small portion of the building, local developer Ned Vickers said.

“(Margaritavilles) are typically restaurants and retail,” he explained. “It’s a big restaurant.”

Plans are still in the initial stages, with changes to the building’s overall design still being considered. The concept still requires submittal to the city’s Environmental Design Review Board, Ball explained.

The Mountain Press has an article discussing the possibility of a Margaritaville opening in the tourist town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee:

If the lyrics are true, it seems “somewhere” could be downtown Gatlinburg — with the city’s Municipal/Regional Planning Commission set to consider a commercial site plan for a popular Jimmy Buffett-inspired casual dining chain or merchandise store during its meeting at 5 p.m. today in City Hall.

On the agenda is a site plan for Margaritaville at 805 Parkway, a property that was home to the recently demolished Midtown Lodge and an area where construction is ongoing on a multi-story parking garage.

Details surrounding the project are limited, though officials with Margaritaville Holdings, LLC have confirmed their interest in bringing the brand here.

“We are considering the possibility of coming to the area and we would like to see it happen,” an email from the company’s management group’s publicity division stated. “At this point in time it’s too premature to give any further details, but we are considering Gatlinburg for a Margaritaville location. It’s definitely a market we’re interested in coming to.”

They were unable to confirm whether the property — located on the corner of Parkway, Maple Lane and River Road — would be home to an eatery or shop. They’re still conducting preliminary research into the market, the email said.

Jimmy Buffett will be opening his first Margaritaville Cafe in Australia this November at Darling Harbour in Sydney:

“Bringing Margaritaville to Australia will provide a new and exciting dining experience unlike any other,” said Schlebusch. “We offer our guests a unique combination of great food and refreshing drinks with a personalized experience from our hospitable staff. Your visit to Margaritaville will definitely be a memorable one.”

Opening in the current Docks Hotel, which closes Sunday the 19th of August, Margaritaville will have an all-star location with a completely refitted interior. Margaritaville Darling Harbour will feature an abundance of indoor seating with an upbeat and fun atmosphere as well as an outdoor patio to enjoy the scenic harbour views. This new restaurant concept will liven up Darling Harbour and provide a fresh spot to dine with frequent live music, palm trees, deck chairs, and surf boards for a true beach feel.

“Harbourside is thrilled to have secured such a high profile international brand as Margaritaville. Without a doubt it will only compliment the Harbourside precinct adding a further dimension and will raise the standard yet again on cool casual dining,” commented Harbourside General Manager, Tim Andrews. “Morney brings a wealth of experience to Harbourside and is sure to make it a summer to remember! What could be better than long days and great margaritas on the edge of Darling Harbour?”

Though this well-known franchise is famous for its margaritas and cheeseburgers, it provides a little something for everyone in the neighbourhood. You’ll find a menu just for the kids, heaps of memorabilia to help you remember your trip to Australia’s first Margaritaville, cold beer, delicious food, and entertainment for the whole family.

“A Margaritaville in Darling Harbor? It certainly seems like a natural port of call for me. But, as usual, there is a story to go along with the idea. My connection to Australia began nearly 200 years ago when the descendants of my seafaring distant relative, John Buffett, made the trip from Pitcairn to Norfolk Island thus depositing the first Buffetts on Australian soil. Couple that bit of history to my debut show in Bondi over 20 years ago, followed by the incredible adventure and fun I had during the hey day of 12 meter America’s Cup racing in Perth in 1987; and topped off by my recent stage dive in Sydney on Australia Day a year ago, and you can see that it is only natural in my way of thinking, that the land down under, the true land of boats, beaches and bars, needed a Margaritaville. Darling Harbour, here we come, and this son of son of a sailor couldn’t be happier,” says Buffett.

A second location is planned near Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Be sure to Like Margaritaville Australia on Facebook!