River Heads Cafe and Take Away

River Heads Cafe and Take Away is the last proper feed before the K'gari barge, a rustic local spot on Ariadne Street close to the ferry terminal. It has built its reputation on huge breakfasts, fish and chips and a deck that welcomes dogs, and the cafe's own Facebook page makes the point directly: dogs are loved out on the deck.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on the outdoor deck, on a lead and under control, with the air-conditioned inside room reserved for people and assistance dogs. Staff have been known to bring out a water bowl on request, but ask rather than assume one will appear. The deck overlooks the water, so a dog content to watch boat traffic settles in well here.

Worth knowing

Portions are generous and affordable, which is exactly what you want before or after a barge crossing, and the fish and chips and coffee both pull regular praise. Hours run from 8am with the kitchen closing early afternoon, so this is a breakfast and lunch stop rather than dinner. Barge days bring a queue of travellers, so time your visit around the sailings if you want a quieter table.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on Ariadne Street at River Heads, the little riverside village at the end of the road from Hervey Bay, with free street parking right out front. It is an easy in-and-out if you are towing or heading straight to the terminal.

Close by with the dogs

There is a dog park directly across the road for a run before or after your meal, and the boat ramp area has short waterside walks, though check signage for on-leash rules. The Fraser Coast RV Park in the same village makes the pairing easy for travellers. Towards Hervey Bay, Sea Breeze Cafe at Scarness and the Urangan off-leash dog beach round out a Fraser Coast day.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly cafes guide and the River Heads destination page.

Pepsi: deck table, egg and bacon roll the size of my head, ferries coming and going. Holiday achieved.