Erica Cafe & Bar

Erica Cafe & Bar sits on Henty Street, the main road through this small Gippsland town on the way to Walhalla, and it doubles as the region's coffee stop and its local bar. Local history covers the walls, the counter turns out sponge rolls and vanilla slices, and dogs are welcome at the sheltered outdoor seating out front on a lead.

The dog setup

The rule here is simple: outside yes, inside no. The front seating is sheltered, so drizzle does not end the visit, and staff have a friendly reputation with pets. On-site water for dogs is not confirmed, so packing a bowl from the car is the safe play. Confirm the table arrangement when you arrive, as outdoor policies can shift with weather and season.

Worth knowing

The menu is proper country cafe food: steak sandwiches, BLTs, popcorn chicken and hot chips, with lamb cutlets when they are on. The cabinet is the real drawcard, locals rate the sponge roll and vanilla slice, and there is a small bar with beer and spirits for the afternoon shift. Hours run Wednesday to Sunday from 10am (9am on weekends), closing mid-afternoon most days, with Friday and Saturday services running into the evening. Free street parking is out front with a small car park nearby, and the town is flat and easy to walk.

Close by with the dogs

Erica works best as a leg-stretch stop either side of a walk. Dogs are allowed on the Walhalla Goldfields Rail Trail on a lead, and Victorian state forests around Erica, toward Thomson and Walhalla, welcome dogs under effective control. Across in nearby Rawson, St Phillack Reserve Off Leash Dog Area and Rawson Recreation Reserve Off Leash Dog Area both give dogs a proper off-lead run, and Coopers Creek Campgrounds makes a dog-friendly base for a weekend.

Max: outdoor only means outdoor only here. Keep the lead short on the footpath side of the tables and the vanilla slice is all yours.