Bushranger Cafe

The Bushranger Cafe sits inside the historic Highfields Pioneer Village at 73-75 Wirraglen Road, a volunteer-run 20-acre historical park just north of Toowoomba, and the whole village is dog friendly: leashed dogs are welcome across the grounds and at the cafe itself.

The dog setup

Dogs on a secure lead are welcome throughout the outdoor and garden areas, with plenty of open seating to settle beside you while you eat. Water bowls are often available, but carrying your own bottle and bowl is the safe play for a rural venue. The setting is open and rustic rather than a cafe strip, so it suits a dog that is comfortable around people, heritage buildings and other visitors exploring the village.

The vibe

The draw is traditional bush fare: fresh damper with billy tea, scones and chocolate chip scones, plus ice creams, cold drinks and homemade treats. The milkshake earns its own mentions in reviews. Because the cafe lives inside the museum village, a coffee naturally turns into a wander through the historical displays with your dog on the lead.

Max: Damper, billy tea, and twenty acres of history to sniff through on the lead. This is what a day out should look like.

Getting there and parking

The village is just off the New England Highway at Wirraglen Road, with ample on-site parking. Hours are limited: the cafe generally runs Friday to Sunday, from about 10am to 2:30pm or 3pm, so confirm opening before you drive out, and note group damper and billy tea experiences can be pre-booked through the village.

Close by with the dogs

The Chocolate Cottage on the New England Highway welcomes leashed dogs on its lawns and makes an easy second stop, while the Harris Park Dog Off Leash Area gives your dog a proper run without the lead. Wild Honey Cafe up at Cabarlah is another pet-friendly option to the north. More ideas are in our guide to dog friendly cafes in Queensland and the Highfields destination page.