9 charming cafes in Bathurst to try now

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Bathurst offers a unique dining experience that combines the town’s rich history, vibrant culture and delicious cafe cuisine.

Worlds away from the big smoke, Bathurst may not be the first place you’d expect to find exceptional coffee. But rest assured, the cafes in Bathurst offer classic favourites, a warm and welcoming country atmosphere and some of the best coffee around. If you’re planning a visit to this cruisy, charming city, make sure to include a cafe pit-stop to indulge in the culinary culture that Bathurst has to offer.

1. Country Coffee Bathurst

True to its name, Country Coffee  exudes good old-fashioned small-town vibes. The staff are friendly, the menu has all your go-to favourite cafe classics, and the coffee is reliably some of Bathurst’s best.

Address: 161 George St, Bathurst

2. The Hub

The Hub is one of Bathurst’s most charming cafes, with beautiful food, easy service and a friendly atmosphere. Especially loved for its breakfasts, it serves up all the cafe favourites – from brekkie burgers with all the bells and whistles to salads and curries for lunch. You can enjoy your meal in the leafy outdoor area or cosy up inside by the log fire.

Address: 52 Keppel St, Bathurst

The Hub cafe in Bathurst, NSW
Pop into The Hub for pancakes with a twist.

3. Doppio Bathurst

Doppio is a more recent addition to the Bathurst cafe scene and is a funky spot to chill out. You can relax under the trees or the gazebo while you sip on a fresh, hot cuppa or enjoy a simple but scrummy meal for breakfast or lunch.

Address: 7 Keppel St, Bathurst

4. Mayfield Gardens

Mayfield Gardens is a 16-hectare garden nestled between the quaint towns of O’Connell and Oberon, a half-hour drive from Bathurst. The exquisite gardens and unique, nature-bathed ambience alone make it worth the extra travel time.

The menu features delicious, seasonal meals made mostly from ingredients grown on-site or nearby, and there are options to tickle everyone’s fancy. It’s an idyllic spot to enjoy a leisurely brunch or long lunch with a glass of wine while taking in the spectacular views.

Address: 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon

visitors enjoying the scenic grounds of Mayfield Garden, Oberon
Dine at the quaint, idyllic setting of Mayfield Gardens. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Crema on George

Crema on George is a beloved hole-in-the-wall cafe especially loved for its excellent Campos coffee. With a friendly atmosphere, it’s the ideal place to savour your morning cuppa, or grab a takeaway pastry and coffee to enjoy in the picturesque park just across the road.

Address: 173 George St, Bathurst

6. Annie’s Ice Cream

Step back in time at Annie’s , an adorable old-fashioned ice cream parlour. This enchanting cafe is a local favourite and has been serving up banana splits since the early 80s. With its bright and bustling atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for families – kids will love the retro vibes and abundance of sweet treats. Annie’s is one of the longest-running cafes in the region, adding to its nostalgic charm.

Address: 82/86 George St, Bathurst

Exterior of Annie's Ice Cream
Annie’s Ice Cream is an institution. (Image: Emily Murphy)

7. Sweet Caramel

Sweet Caramel is a delightful Bathurst cafe with a cosy, country vibe. The warm and friendly atmosphere invites you to stay a while and enjoy a cafe favourite from the diverse menu of Asian dishes, Aussie classics and plenty of sweet treats. There’s a hole-in-the-wall option for takeaways too. A lovely place to soak up the relaxed ambience of the town.

Address: 183 – 185 George St, Bathurst

8. Porters Cafe

Porters is a reliable country cafe serving up all the classics – sandwiches, salads and desserts. The warm and friendly vibe makes it a nice place to cosy into on a gloomy day.

Address: 76 William St, Bathurst

9. Gunthers Lane Cafe

A great place for the tech-savvy and curious, Gunthers Lane offers one of the most unique cafe experiences in Bathurst. While you wait for your coffee and choc chip muffin you can try out the tech hub, printing something from the 3D printers, exploring virtual reality and more. The menu is simple and the coffee good.

Address: 203-209 Russell St, Bathurst

For more places to eat in Bathurst, check out our restaurant guide.
Jessica Humphries
Jessica Humphries is a travel and wellbeing writer, with a passion for slow travel, nature, and exploring the world mindfully. Formerly the editor of Australian Yoga Journal and a current contributor to a number of well-being publications, Jessica's writing is inspired by her love for yoga, wellness and sustainable living. Her work is a celebration of the beauty of the world and the joys of gentle travel. She is based in the Northern Rivers of NSW and loves to explore her local area too!
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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford
Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena
Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .