Sandbox

Sandbox sits right on the Flynns Beach foreshore at 36 Tuppenny Road, and it is built for people who plan their day around a walk with the dog. The kitchen runs from 7am through to mid afternoon, so it works as an early coffee stop, a post-beach brunch or a late lunch, with a menu that leans fresh and unfussy: avocado smash, breakfast hash, bacon and egg rolls, fish tacos and cold-pressed juices, backed by a serious coffee program.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome across the outdoor seating, which is where most of the action happens anyway. The covered patio tables catch the sea breeze, water bowls are readily available, and staff have a reputation for greeting four-legged visitors rather than merely tolerating them. If the cafe tables fill up on a weekend, there is grass and picnic bench seating nearby where you can settle with a takeaway coffee instead. Keep dogs out of the indoor counter area, in line with standard NSW food premises rules.

Worth knowing

One detail matters more than any menu item: Flynns Beach itself is a dog-prohibited beach under Port Macquarie-Hastings Council rules, so do not plan your walk on the sand in front of the cafe. The good news is the alternatives are close. Nobbys Beach, just over the southern headland, is an off-leash favourite, and Rocky Beach to the north is a designated 24-hour off-leash zone. Both are a short drive from Tuppenny Road.

Getting there and parking

The address is 36 Tuppenny Road, Port Macquarie, right where the beach reserve meets the road. Parking is street only on the surrounding residential streets, and it tightens up on weekends, school holidays and through summer. Arriving before 8am on a Saturday is the easiest way to get a spot and a calm table.

Make a day of it

Run the dog off-leash at Nobbys Beach first, then walk back for breakfast. On the other side of town, Stuart Park Fenced Dog Park is a secure option for a big run, and Ruins Cafe is another Port Macquarie coffee stop that welcomes dogs. Check the NSW dog friendly cafes list or the Port Macquarie guide for more.