'Australia's best latte' is luring road trippers to this tiny village

A heritage-listed post office turned ‘roast office’ and its award-winning latte has become the toast of this tranquil town.

In a tiny village named Uki, hidden among the verdant natural beauty of the Tweed (in Northern New South Wales), a lovingly restored, heritage-listed post office has been transformed into a thriving community gathering place. Now, it’s drawing in coffee enthusiasts, art lovers, road trippers, and those who need to post letters, too.

Uki's post office — Uki’s post office offers a fresh perspective to its community.

Uki, just over half an hour’s drive inland from Cabarita Beach in the Tweed Shire, nestled under the watchful gaze of Wollumbin/Mount Warning has long been considered a quiet and relatively secluded destination. And while it remains a peaceful pocket of the Tweed, there’s a flutter of activity and excitement stemming from one unexpected building: its post office.

In 2017, a first-time, would-be postmaster happened across the then dilapidated, heritage-listed Uki Post Office – a service that has been central to its community since 1909. Gary Wall had just completed his MBA and was ready for a new adventure.

No sooner had Gary laid eyes on the site had he formed a vision of what this run-down locale could become, and decided he would be the one to give it that love – and, in doing so, enrich the local community.

Step inside the historic, coffee-scented post office

Gary Wall portrait — Gary Wall saw potential to transform the post office into a community hub.

Flash forward to 2025, and Gary’s vision, and some serious investment, has transformed the old building into a multi-faceted space that’s become beloved by its community. Now, it’s drawing in road trippers, too.

For those who roll into Uki now, they’ll find Postmaster Gary and his team behind the counter of the reimagined post-office-meets-art-gallery (where a rotating calendar of local artists are showcased) and Bastion Lane Espresso Bar .

Bastion Lane Espresso Bar — The coffee bar is housed within a heritage-listed building. (Image: @jar_osullivan_studio)

Inside the space, original features abound – from ironbark floors to hoop pine timber benches, and carefully made cabinetry – while, on the outside, the familiar facade remains. Behind the post office building is the RoastOffice, where award-winning coffee is prepared.

Sample the latte crowned best in Australia

award-winning coffee — Award-winning coffee awaits. (Image: @jar_osullivan_studio)

With the scent of freshly roasted coffee lingering in the air inside this historic structure, it’s safe to say few people are capable of collecting their parcels or of posting mail without first hitting up the espresso bar.

The coffee roasted in the RoastOffice and poured at Bastion Lane Espresso is not your average cup of road trip fuel. In fact, its ‘Post Master’s Roast ’ was named the Champion Latte at the 2025 Royal Adelaide Coffee Show – providing another reason for coffee lovers to detour inland from the Tweed’s coastline.

The tough coffee competition, supported by the Australian Coffee Traders Association Inc, seeks out excellence across a range of coffee styles. The Post Master’s Roast impressed the judges who said of the blend: “excellent consistency of roast colour across various sizes. Roast degree optimal for sugar browning with dry fragrance of honey and dried fruits. Milk chocolate, caramels, red fruits, and dark fruits are present in the cup and are notable through the milk. [It’s] very harmonious, clean, sweet, and well-structured."

Gary says the blend is a “labour of love" and “a testament to the dedication and passion we pour into every roast."

“This award will be proudly displayed at our Uki location. We invite everyone to come and experience the Champion Latte for themselves," he adds.

Explore Uki’s neighbours, beyond the beaches of the Tweed

Uki's visitors — Visitors are in for Uki’s thriving cultural scene. (Image: @jar_osullivan_studio)

Having become a significant centre of the Uki community, it’s no wonder Bastion Lane Espresso’s visitors are now eager to follow the aroma of quality coffee and stay a while to check out the art exhibited on-site. And, those who’ve entered the valley can cruise from this village to Uki’s neighbouring destinations – each with their own unique attractions. In the lush green landscape beyond the beaches of the Tweed, an abundance of food, art and shopping opportunities await.

Just outside of the centre of art-deco-architecture-lined Murwillumbah, perched on a hillside with a view over its picturesque countryside surroundings, the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre presents an evolving assemblage of enticing exhibitions. Plus, it’s home to a recreation of lauded Australian artist Margaret Olley’s home studio.

Nearby, in the heart of Murwillumbah, is its M|Arts Precinct , which combines art, food, stores, a cinema, and more. While in town, indulge in leisurely lunchtime repast at Tweed River House , or a laidback meal at Keith . Cyclists can also enjoy pedaling along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from Murwillumbah. On your way out, stop into Kat Harvey Cheese for take-home snacks.

A short drive from Uki, travellers can continue on to the small town of Burringbar – where locally made cheeses (Tweed Valley Farmhouse Cheeses ), natural wines (Burringbar Natural Wine Shop and Bar ), more coffee (The Barn Burringbar and Teakwood Cafe ) and vintage collectable treasures (Heath’s Old Wares ) can be found.

And, navigate the winding, scenic roads into Tyalgum, where a maze of connected stores (including a book store and bakery) sits alongside a charming cafe (Flutterbies Cottage Cafe ), an old-fashioned corner store (Tyalgum General Store ) stocks locally made fare, and an Italian, third-generation gelato maker slings delicious scoops (Tyalgum Gelato Shop ).

Plan your trip to the RoastOffice

bastion lane beans — Ethically and sustainably sourced beans are used at Bastion Lane.

To plan your road trip to try the best latte in Australia, visit Bastion Lane and mark maps 1464 Kyogle Road, Uki, New South Wales on your map. The Post Master’s Roast latte blend is also available online at the espresso bar’s website .

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

‘Australia’s best latte‘ is luring road trippers to this tiny village

A heritage-listed post office turned ‘roast office’ and its award-winning latte has become the toast of this tranquil town.

Step inside the historic, coffee-scented post office

Sample the latte crowned best in Australia

Explore Uki’s neighbours, beyond the beaches of the Tweed

Plan your trip to the RoastOffice

Dive into summer with hikes, great bites and wellness in The Tweed

Found: a 1,000-bottle wine bar inside a secluded Northern Rivers rainforest retreat

Coco Pops coffee and Biscoff scrolls are luring city dwellers to a tiny Tweed Heads hole-in-the-wall

14 delightful cafes and bakeries across the Tweed

Why the Central Coast is a foodie mecca