34 South Bulli

34 South Bulli is a family-run beachside cafe at 1 Farrell Road, right by the entrance to Bulli Beach Tourist Park and a short stroll from Bulli Beach and the coastal cycleway. For dog owners it is one of the more generous setups on the northern Illawarra coast: grassy outdoor tables, water bowls put out for visiting dogs, and a kitchen that takes coeliac dining seriously.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the picnic tables and grassy outdoor seating area, where water bowls are put out for four-legged guests. The covered front deck is generally not for dogs, so aim for the open-air tables when you arrive with one. The grass is the good side of the block on a warm day, with sea breeze and room for a dog to lie down without blocking the path between tables.

Pepsi: grab a table on the grass side, not the deck, and you will get sea breeze and a spot for a water bowl without anyone asking you to move.

The vibe and the menu

The kitchen runs a dedicated gluten-free fryer and a solid range of coeliac-friendly options, alongside gluten-free bread, so coeliac diners can order chips and hot food without the usual cross-contamination worry. The wider menu covers acai bowls, bacon rolls and flat whites, and the cafe is a popular stop after a swim or a beach walk. On a clear winter day the outdoor tables look straight out to sea, and the whale-watching season passes right in front of you. Hours run from 6:30am, closing at 2:30pm Monday to Thursday and 4pm Friday to Sunday.

Getting there and parking

Free parking is available in the adjacent tourist park car park and on Farrell Road itself. The coastal cycleway runs right past the door, so it is an easy stop if you are walking or riding the coast with the dog rather than driving. Bulli station is a short trip away for anyone arriving by train.

Make a day of it

Bulli Beach is right next door for a walk, though leash rules and any off-leash times are set by Wollongong City Council signage, so check on arrival. Further up the coast, Bellambi Beach and Bark at the Beach at Thirroul are dog beach options for a longer coastal run. For another coffee stop, North Break Cafe at Woonona and South Sailor at Thirroul are both up the road. Note that Bulli Beach Tourist Park itself does not allow pets on-site, so this is a cafe stop rather than a place to stay with a dog.

More options are on the New South Wales dog friendly cafes guide and the Bulli destination page.