9 Charming Cafes in Bright To Try Now

From a busy small-batch coffee roaster to a plant-based cafe with a cult following, the Bright cafe scene is buzzing.

On the hunt for a Bright cafe or two to visit on your next trip? Gone are the days when country towns had nothing but so-so coffee and stale croissants on offer. The thriving alpine town (and surrounding villages) boast a seriously strong cafe and coffee scene that keeps visitors and locals nourished and caffeinated all year round.

1. Wild Thyme Cafe

This much-loved breakfast haunt is a Bright cafe with a loyal following. Finding an eatery with a plant-based menu in regional Australia is a challenge, but this spot isn’t just for vegans and vegetarians. The menu features everything from buckwheat pancakes to traditional oat porridge, but there’s also smoothies, cold-pressed juices, raw cakes and kombucha on tap. There are few cafes in regional Victoria where you can add medicinal mushrooms to your chai latte, but this is one of them!

2. Blackbird Cafe

Fuel a day of High Country hiking with a hearty breakfast at this popular brunch spot. Corn fritters, baked eggs or house-made granola with fruit and yoghurt are all on the menu, as well as freshly squeezed fruit and veggie juices. Or stop in at lunchtime, find an outdoor table and enjoy burgers and steak sandwiches in the sunshine. As a fully licensed cafe, you can order a glass of vino from the all-local wine list too.

3. Food Wine Friends

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, make a beeline for this cosy cafe in the centre of town which stocks a solid range of slices, cakes, muffins, brownies and biscuits. If you’re after a meal, settle in for a bagel, frittata or savoury tart. Either way, this welcoming cafe kind of feels like you’re having a bite to eat in a friend’s living room – a true comfort while you’re away from home.

Cakes and sweet treats in cabinet at Food Wine Friends in Bright with barista making coffee in background — This cosy cafe has plenty of delicious treats to keep you coming back.

4. The Riverdeck Kitchen

This relaxed spot by the Ovens River is the ideal place to begin your break in Bright. Slip into holiday mode by starting your day with a dish from the all-day breakfast menu – the Canadian Toast is a real standout if you’re down for mixing bacon, brioche, berries and maple syrup on your plate.

a plate of avocado toast at Riverdeck Kitchen — Grab your breakfast at Riverdeck Kitchen.

The lunchtime menu is a roll call of cafe classics (think: steak sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips) with pancakes and toasties on the agenda for kids. Fancy a tipple? The drinks menu features local wines from Ringer Reef and Billy Button wineries, ales from Bright Brewery and an afternoon nap-inducing cocktail line-up. Passionfruit mojito anyone?

the surrounding green landscape outside The Riverdeck Kitchen — Dine al fresco to soak up serene nature views.

5. Sixpence Coffee

This buzzy small-batch roastery located in what was once a mechanic’s garage cranks out elite coffee, so expect it to be busy. Whether you settle in for a latte or grab a takeaway to enjoy while on the road, be sure to also pick up a sweet treat – there are pastries, muffins, doughnuts and more to choose from.

a hand holding a cup of coffee — Get your caffeine fix at Sixpence Coffee. (Image: Andy Hardy)

Can’t bear the thought of not having Sixpence Coffee in your life once your trip is over? Recreate the coffee experience back at home by buying a bag of the 3741 blend beans, named after Bright’s postcode. There’s some cool merch available too if you’re in the market for a tee, cap, tote or hoodie.

front view of Sixpence Coffee filled with customers — The cafe is always full house every morning. (Image: Andy Hardy)

6. Gum Tree Pies

After a morning of biking or bushwalking, nothing beats tucking into a pie and cake at a humble country bakery . The Bright outpost of this family-run bakery cafe is a hit with locals and visitors alike. Choose from a classic pie (steak and mushroom) or try something different like the Thai green chicken curry pie. Either way, this popular bakery with four outlets in regional Victoria is known for producing top-quality pies with golden, buttery, flaky pastry day in, day out. The slices and cakes won’t let you down either!

Gum Tree Pies cafe signage surrounded by trees in Bright — Gum Tree Pies is an ideal place for brunch.

7. Rail Trail Cafe

Pedalling the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail ? A pitstop at Porepunkah’s Rail Trail Cafe is an absolute must. Six kilometres from Bright, this laidback cafe is known for its generous portion sizes and menu stacked with Mexican dishes like breakfast burritos, quesadillas and nachos.

Grab an outdoor table in a shady spot, order a spread of your favourites and watch the cyclists come and go as they make their way along the scenic rail trail.

front of Rail Trail cafe in Bright with bicycles parked on the side — Grab a warm cup of coffee on your way.

8. Punkah Pantry

This licensed cafe and provedore in the village of Porepunkah is a reliable go-to if you’re passing through while on a road trip through the region. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, stop in for homemade pies, gourmet cakes and brews made with beans from the local roaster, Sixpence Coffee.

front view of Punka Pantry cafe, Bright — Drop by Punka Pantry on your visit to Bright.

Looking for an edible gift for someone special back at home? Punkah Pantry stocks an impressive range of olive oil, honey, preserves and more from local and neighbouring districts.

edible treats displayed on the shelves inside Punka Pantry cafe, Bright — Bring home some edible treats from the cafe.

9. Mr Pom Juice & Sanga Bar

If you’ve overdone it with a heavy meal or one too many beers the night before, start your day right with a vitamin-packed juice or smoothie from this cheery juice bar and cafe in the heart of Bright. And if you’re in the market for lunch that won’t weigh you down, its range of light, fresh fare packed with healthy ingredients will hit the spot. Planning a day of adventures in the outdoors? Grab a takeaway salad, wrap or sandwich to enjoy by the serene Ovens River.

Want more travel tips for Bright? We’ve got a round-up of top accommodation, incredible restaurants to try and wineries to visit during your stay.

The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns.

It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach , the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.

Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road . Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.

Split point lookout — The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.

This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities.

Lorne to Birregurra

Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park , which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.

Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.

From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.

You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae , helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.

Brae restaurant — Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Apollo Bay to The Otways

Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.

A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.

Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles

The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.

It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.

The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.

Port Campbell to Timboon

Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream , Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.

Warrnambool to Port Fairy

Warrnambool building — A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.

Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.

The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit.

The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip.

Eating there

The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.

Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.

9 charming cafes in Bright for coffee, brunch and lunch