WILD WOMBAT Cafe

WILD WOMBAT Cafe is a small, pet-friendly cafe at 2/784 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road in Hurstbridge, on Melbourne's north-eastern fringe, known for organic coffee and a sunny outdoor seating area where dogs are welcome.

The dog setup

Dogs settle on lead in the outdoor seating out front, where water bowls are usually put out, though carrying your own is worth it for a longer stop on a hot day. The tables sit fairly close together, so keep your dog settled at your feet rather than socialising down the row.

The vibe

The coffee is organic and roasted by Dukes Coffee Roasters, and the menu runs to bacon and egg rolls, french toast, homemade Balkan cevapcici and solid gluten-free and vegan options. It is a busy cafe with a loyal local trade, and the ordering system gets regular mentions, so expect a queue at peak times.

Getting there

The cafe sits in the Hurstbridge township, an easy walk from the village centre and Hurstbridge Station, with on-street parking along Heidelberg-Kinglake Road. Hours run from 6am on weekdays, with a mid-week early finish on Wednesday and shorter weekend sessions closing early afternoon.

Close by with the dogs

Hurstbridge's leafy village streets make an easy wander after coffee, and the Hurstbridge dog park in Ferguson's Paddock is a short trip away for proper off-lead time.

For a second coffee stop in the same suburb, Black Vice Coffee Roasters roasts its own beans nearby.

Weekday mornings are the easiest time to get an outdoor table with a dog in tow; weekends bring queues, so arrive early or expect to wait. More spots like this are on the Victoria cafe guide, and the suburb's other listings sit on the Hurstbridge destination page.