De Lokal

De Lokal is an independent specialty coffee shop in the Cannon Park Entertainment Centre on Hervey Range Road, and it has built a local following by treating dogs as proper customers. Regulars bring their dogs for the alfresco tables and the house-baked dog biscuits, while the humans get serious coffee and a rotating cabinet of house-made sweets.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor and alfresco seating area at the front of the cafe, and staff are known for handing out dog biscuits and setting out water for visiting dogs. The seating sits within the shared Cannon Park complex rather than a fenced courtyard, so keep your dog on lead and settled under the table. It suits calm dogs best, and bringing your own water bowl is a safe backup for busy periods.

Worth knowing

The menu leans specialty coffee: cold brews, smoothies and thick shakes, plus acai bowls and breakky burritos for breakfast. The cabinet is the real drawcard, stacked with house-made cakes, slices and biscuits. The gluten-free caramel slice has its own following, as does the museli cookie, and gluten-free and vegan options are marked on the menu. You can browse the current lineup on the cafe's online menu, and hours run from 6am on weekdays to 5pm, with weekend service from around 6:30am to 3pm.

Getting there and parking

De Lokal is at Shop 2, 52 Hervey Range Road in the Cannon Park complex, Thuringowa Central. There is ample free parking in the shared centre car park with flat, easy access to the cafe entrance. Cannon Park's paved walkways give you somewhere to stretch legs before or after coffee.

Pepsi: A biscuit at the courtyard table, then a lap of the Ross River paths. Simple pleasures, done properly.

Make a day of it

For a proper leg stretch, Rossiter Park Fenced Dog Park on Kimball Street in Aitkenvale is a fenced off-leash space with shade, agility equipment and water along the Ross River Parkway. Riverside Green Park Fenced Dog Park at Douglas is another riverside option nearby. If you are circling Townsville with the coffee run, Turvey Bakehouse in the city and Absolute Cravings in Annandale are proven cafe alternatives.

See more dog friendly cafes in QLD or plan a visit around Thuringowa Central, and browse Rossiter Park Fenced Dog Park before you go. Cafe pet rules can change, so confirm current policy at the door.