Junction cafe

Junction Cafe is the all-day breakfast and lunch spot on Hampton Drive in Tannum Sands, and it is one of those cafes that actually plans for dogs rather than tolerating them. Water bowls come out without a fuss, and there is a dedicated pup menu with puppychinos, house-made dog biscuits and jerky treats. It opens from 6am on weekends, so it slots neatly into the walk-and-breakfast routine that defines this stretch of the Gladstone coast.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the alfresco tables out the front, where the shaded seating gives you enough room to keep a dog settled beside you. Inside is off limits, in line with standard Queensland food rules. Staff are known for making a fuss of four-legged visitors, and fresh water bowls are the norm. The space suits relaxed dogs; the tables sit close to a working car park, so keep the lead on.

The menu

The human side is a broad all-day menu with the Junction Big Breakfast as the signature, plus Eggs Benedict on local sourdough, french toast and acai bowls. Dietary needs are well covered, with gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options across the menu and a kids list for families. Doors run 7am to 3pm on weekdays and 6am to 3pm on weekends.

Getting there and parking

You will find it at Unit 7/97 Hampton Drive in the Tannum Sands shop strip, with parking on the street and in the lot out front. Weekends fill quickly from about 8am, so early is the quiet window.

While you're out there

The obvious pairing is the sand: Tannum Sands Dog Beach is the local off-leash strip, and Blend Cafe is the other dog-friendly coffee option in the suburb. Across the Boyne River, Cafe @ One8ty Two makes a stop on a Turtle Way ride.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly cafes guide and the Tannum Sands destination page.