Australia takes its coffee very seriously. But which city has the best? A new study put the controversial question to the test, with surprising results…
In the Antipodes, coffee is more than just a beverage – it’s a ritual. Australian coffee culture is so strong and our standards so high that Starbucks incurred massive losses when they tried to open up shop down under – a point of national pride for many Aussie coffee drinkers. So, when it comes to the best coffee locales in the country, there are plenty of contenders vying for the top spot.
Recently, money transfer company Remitly crunched the numbers to determine where the best coffee in Australia (and New Zealand) can be found. And surprisingly, the usual suspects didn’t claim the crown. Here are the best coffee regions in Australia, according to data. (Spoiler alert: it’s not Melbourne!)
The Method
Remitly’s ‘coffee index’ drew from over 2.7 million Google reviews to rank cities based on:
The number of coffee shops per capita.
The average customer rating for coffee shops in each city.
The number of customer reviews per coffee shop.
The number of #Coffee posts on Instagram in each city (compared to its population).
And the winner is…
Somewhat unexpectedly, the breezy beachside city of Coffs Harbour beat out all major cities to claim the crown of best coffee region in Australia. But it shouldn’t be all too surprising – while the overall vibe here is laid-back, the city takes its coffee very seriously.
Supply Speciality Coffee in Coffs Harbour epitomises the laid-back coffee culture of the city. (Image: Destination NSW)
Beachside cafes with a boho aesthetic, cute-as coffee vans, and vegetarian-friendly spots serving Buddha bowls alongside excellent brews are all part of the mix. Although the town is filled with top-notch java joints, we’ve rounded up the best cafes in Coffs Harbour for you.
Artisti Coffee Roasters is a boutique roastery in Coffs Harbour.
Special mention
The Gold Coast came in second place, but the region placed first in the country (tied with Brisbane) for the highest average café rating, at 4.42/5. In the mini Los Angeles of Australia, you’re bound to see activewear-clad fitness enthusiasts jogging along the palm-tree-lined beach. The health-conscious lifestyle is reflected in the cafe culture here, with hyper-Instagrammable blue superfood lattes in Mermaid Beach and and plenty of cafes serving up organic food. You can find the best cafes on the Gold Coast here.
Elk Espresso epitomises the health-conscious, laid-back coffee culture of the Gold Coast. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)
The full list
Coffs Harbour, NSW
Gold Coast, QLD
Cairns, QLD
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Shepparton, VIC
Melbourne, VIC
Mildura, VIC
Brisbane, QLD
Adelaide, SA
Sydney, NSW
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.
Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.
1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk
Take in views across the Macedon Ranges.
Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.
2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail
Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)
The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.
3. Mount Alexander Traverse
Take in the serenity.
Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.
4. Murmuring Walk
Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.
Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.
5. La Gerche Forest Walk
Walk into history on the La Gerche Forest trail.
Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.
6. Sailors Falls Loop
See these spectacular falls. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.
7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk
Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.
8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk
Take in forests and waterfalls along the way to the top of Mount Franklin.
An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.
