Little Stray Winds Cafe

Little Stray Winds Cafe sits on River Street in the heart of Woodburn, right off the Pacific Highway, and it has quietly become the detour worth making for highway travellers with a dog. The team are genuine dog lovers: the outdoor tables come with a water bowl at the front, and a complimentary puppuccino is part of the deal rather than something you have to ask twice for.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, with a water bowl provided out front and dog treats in the drawer. The country-calm street means a settled dog fits right in, though given the highway-side location, keep a lead handy on the walk in from the street parking.

The vibe

The kitchen runs a paddock-to-plate model built around free range eggs from the family's own farm at New Italy, and the coffee draws consistent praise from travellers who planned to stop for ten minutes and stayed longer. Dine-in and takeaway both work, and the pace is unhurried in the way only a small river town cafe can be.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking runs along River Street, and the pull-off from the highway is straightforward, which is the whole point for road-trippers between the coast and the inland.

Close by with the dogs

Down the road, the Evans Head 4WD and dog beach entry gives your dog a proper stretch of sand, and Muzzas Milk Bar covers the next coffee stop. The Woodburn destination page has the local round-up.

Pepsi: a free puppuccino on arrival is the gold standard for a highway cafe stop. Have your human ask at the counter, then enjoy it outside.

Doors open at 6:30am, closing mid-afternoon Monday to Friday and 2pm Saturdays, with Sundays dark. Aim for a mid-morning breakfast to beat the lunch rush. More Northern Rivers options sit under the NSW cafes listing.