Unique Hinterland Cafes in the Moreton Bay Region

While there is an undeniable convenience to living on the bayside or visiting the beach, Moreton Bay’s hinterland foodie experiences are somewhat underrated. From quirky buildings to unique menus, these hinterland cafés in the Moreton Bay Region deserve to be on the list for your next day trip.

Wheelhouse Coffee

Vintage, Yet Modern

It’s hard to not feel welcomed and relaxed at Wheelhouse Coffee, Lawnton. The atmosphere, wooden furnishings and rustic décor make for a decidedly laidback, country feel.

More than a place to grab a caffeine fix, Wheelhouse Coffee has a range of homestyle meals made from local produce. While their timber front counter is decked out in all things sugary-sweet, their menu boasts a range of healthy, hearty meals with acai bowls, salmon salad and yoghurt parfait among the mix.

They also have a range of protein shakes and refreshing fruit smoothies, not to mention free Wi-Fi, to tide you over while you play a board game from their collection.

The Long Yard Larder

Pet-Friendly Cafe

Since it’s establishment, this boutique, pet-friendly café, the Long Yard Larder across from John Scott Park in Samford has built a reputation as a popular meeting place for family and friends.

Open for breakfast, lunch and late afternoon meals, you can dine alfresco, indoors or even get something to takeaway.

Their menu includes fine Australian cheeses and cured meats, cranberry and brie bagels, Reuben sandwiches, haloumi burgers, artisan gelato and sorbet from the Maleny region as well as natural, wholesome and nutritious gourmet doggy biscuits. Their frappes, smoothies and milkshakes are all made with Maleny Dairies milk and offer take-home boutique condiments, sauces, spreads, spices, teas and cheese platters.

Church-Turned-Café

Hidden inside a renovated old church, the only thing worshipped inside there now is The Flying Nun Café’s fine dining experience.

The unique stained-glass windows and segregated dining areas produce a flair incomparable to other restaurants or cafes in the Moreton Bay Region.

Serving buttermilk pancakes with smoked bacon, caramelised banana and vanilla bean ice cream with maple syrup, you can’t really go wrong with their breakfast menu. Alternate dishes include eggs benedict, crispy fried lemon pepper calamari, wagyu beef burger and honey roasted pumpkin salad.

Rural Treats

Get away from city life for an afternoon and take a hinterland escape to Pitstop on Mt Mee.

Situated on the beautiful Ocean View Mountain, Pitstop on Mt Mee is a vehicle-themed café overlooking the Mount Pleasant valley, the Dayboro Range and North Pine Dam. You can even spot Brisbane city in the distance and on a clear day you’ll spot the sand dunes of Moreton and North Stradbroke Island.

Open Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch you can grab 3-stacked pancakes, a range of burgers, wraps and sandwiches amongst other tasty options. Tucked into a bit of bushland, you’ll have to keep a keen eye out for the old petrol pump and race flags marking the driveway.

Country Hospitality

Another Mt Mee venue open Wednesday to Sunday is the place to be. Literally, it’s The Place 2B Café.

With a warm country hospitality and a nature backdrop, the atmosphere is incredibly laidback and relaxing. The café also doubles as a gallery with quirky sculptures and paintings throughout the venue and a small selection of homewares available for purchase.

For a truly unique experience, you can purchase duck mash for 50c and head on down to the damn and feed the ducks. Alternative ways to keep the kids entertained includes playing in the Sugar Shack (a dedicated kid’s play area) or drawing on the chalkboards.

Looking to Explore more of the Moreton Bay Region Hinterland?

After Breakfast head for a bushwalk in the beautiful Mount Glorious trails.

Let the kids burn out some energy before the drive home at John Scott Park

Or are you keen to start planning your next Hinterland foodie day trip? We've got your next itinerary right here

Tag your hinterland foodie experience with #visitmoretonbayregion

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Acknowledgement of Country - We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of the Moreton Bay Region, the Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi, Jinibara, and Turrbal people and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise the ongoing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to this land and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original custodians of this land.