Our five favourite coffee roasters to pick up your morning brew stars 5 of the best coffee shops in several of Australia’s capital cities.
St Ali Roasters, South Melbourne
Here customers can sip house-roasted coffee by 2013 Australian Barista Champion, Matt Perger. There’s also a healthy all-day menu to sink your teeth into, while their factory across the road runs workshops from roasting to latte art. stali.com.au
Campos Coffee, Newtown, Sydney
Campos made headlines when a New York Times journalist declared their coffee was worth the 22-hour flight. Now the flagship store includes an espresso bar downstairs and a cupping room upstairs, where you can sample various brews and pick up a bag of your favourite. camposcoffee.com
Merlo Coffee, Bowen Hills, Brisbane
Coffee roasting has long been in the Merlo family with the founder’s father, Gino Merlo, reportedly bringing the first espresso machine to Queensland in the 1950s. Merlo now has five torre faziones (Italian for coffee roasting house), but at Bowen Hills coffee-lovers can pick up a fresh brew, snacks and tour the factory too. merlo.com.au
Seven Seeds, Carlton, Melbourne
Named after the cargo that Baba Budan smuggled out of Yemen and into India in the 1600s, Seven Seeds is situated in a converted warehouse in the CBD. As well as a tasty day menu, the café offers free cupping sessions and DIY tools from brewing systems to milk jugs. sevenseeds.com.au
Ristretto, Northbridge, Perth
Among Ristretto’s three Perth cafés is the newly opened roasting lab in Northbridge. There they run a hole-in-the-wall coffee bar down a laneway, where customers can see the roasting process taking place behind expert baristas. 53 Aberdeen St, Northbridge WA 6003; 0415 954 814.
The Artesian Spa Capital of Australia offers the perfect destination to escape the grind and reset.
The world moves more slowly in Moree, and that’s how it should be. Here, country charm and heritage buildings fill the town’s wide streets. While the surrounding farmland mixes with lush riverways to create a fascinating landscape.
But the biggest pull? Moree is known as the Artesian Spa Capital of Australia. It’s truly a place to slow down and disconnect, all an easy train ride from Sydney.
Soak in Moree’s artesian water
Dive in to Moree’s artesian waters.
Moree is not your typical wellness retreat, replacing pretence with casual and easy. Blessed to be sitting above the Great Artesian Basin, it feeds the town (and surrounding villages) with hot, mineral-rich water. Loaded with minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulphur, this water is believed to help with skin health, joint function and tissue repair.
And the town’s crown jewel, Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, has reopened after extensive upgrades. This state-of-the-art aquatic centre offers accessible facilities with multiple artesian baths of varying temperatures between 38 and 41°C.
Feel like exploring a little further? About an hour’s drive from Moree, the village of Boomi also offers public access to this same artesian water. Pop into Boomi Artesian Pool to make the most of a 25-metre cold pool, a wading pool and a hot artesian spa pool.
Just an hour west of Boomi, you’ll also find Mungindi Hot Artesian Pool, another relaxing place to rejuvenate for the afternoon in the mineral-rich water.
Moree’s best stays
Stay right by Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre.
There are several motels within walking distance of the aquatic centre, so you linger longer in its therapeutic waters. A day pass not enough? Really soak in the benefits of Moree at three local stays with their own artesian baths.
Gwydir Thermal Pools Resort boasts five artesian pools for motel and caravan park guests, ranging in soothing temperatures from 34 to 39 degrees. And that includes a 25-metre lap pool.
The Phoenix, Artesian Spa Resort & Accommodation features outdoor artesian thermal pools and six indoor artesian spas, all 34 to 42°C, plus regular pools for guests staying in their accommodations.
While the Artesian Spa Motel matches 46 comfortable budget rooms set across five acres of landscaped grounds, with direct access (for guests) to its own natural artesian hot thermal pool.
Moree’s location at the crossroads of the Newell and Gwydir Highways makes it the ideal resting place for those road tripping through country NSW. With plenty of accommodation options, including farm stays, quaint bed and breakfasts and affordable motels.
Delving into nature around Moree
Find plenty of natural beauty in and around Moree. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Beyond the baths, find calm in Moree’s nature. Soak up the impressive Gwydir River from the peaceful Tareelaroi Weir Recreation Area. Popular with locals, this scenic spot is perfect for fishing, kayaking and picnics. Delve into local history at the Terry Hie Hie Picnic Area – a significant Gamilaroi cultural site. The picnic area is still used today as a ceremonial gathering ground, with educational signage sharing the history of the Gamilaroi People and the mission which used to reside here in the early 20th Century. Follow the Yana-y Warruwi Walking Track to explore the area’s box pine forest.
Combine nature and culture at the Jellicoe Park Open Spaces Aboriginal Art Trail along the scenic Mehi River Walk. Find artworks from local Indigenous artists across a range of different mediums, like carved logs, engraved and painted sandstone and scar tree paintings.
A taste of Moree
Sit down for a tasty meal after a game of golf. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Taste the best of local cafes as you wander past the Art Deco architecture of Moree’s tree-lined main streets. Join the locals each morning at Brooker Trading Co as they line up for their morning java. Stay for classic breakfast dishes like eggs benedict and Dutch pancakes, or arrive later in the day for a hearty lunch menu. Inside a gorgeous Art Deco building, 61 Balo is another tasty breakfast option, with pet-friendly service. The recently renovated Cafe Omega is another popular stop for fresh, hearty meals – the chicken burger is a particular crowd pleaser – all served with a smile.
Get inspired as you wander the CBD’s Mural Trail, stopping at some of Moree’s six art galleries along the way. Bank Art Museum is a must-see, housed in the town’s heritage bank building and home to a collection of First Nations art, plus a changing calendar of touring exhibitions.
Step inside the gorgeous Bank Art Museum Moree. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Get active with a round on the beautiful riverside course at Moree Golf Club (and refuel afterwards at the delicious onsite restaurant) or a game of bowls at Moree Services Club’s state-of-the-art facility. Visit on the last weekend of September to join (or watch) Run the Plains, Moree’s annual two-day running festival.
Known as ‘white gold’ country, Moree is Australia’s most productive agricultural region. Visit from April to September to join a cotton farm tour and get to know one of Moree’s major exports.
However long you choose to stay, there’s plenty to soak in around Moree.
