The Local Parklakes

The Local Parklakes is the neighbourhood cafe, bar and community spot at 125 Parklakes Drive in Bli Bli, sitting right on the Parklakes lake with the wetlands walking track beside it. The outdoor deck overlooks the water, and dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating, which turns an ordinary brunch stop into the start or end of a proper dog walk.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the spacious outdoor deck area, which looks over the lake and the walking tracks. Inside the dining room is for people only, so ask for the deck when you arrive. Keep your dog on a short lead and settled under the table; water bowls are typically out and staff are used to canine regulars, but carry your own bowl as a backup.

The food and the weekly rhythm

The menu covers the coffee-and-brunch staples, with the smashed avocado a regular favourite, plus local beer and wine for the later sessions. Each day has its own pull: Thursday is burger night from $14, Friday is pizza on the big deck from $16 with drinks flowing, and Sunday is a rotating roast for $22. Saturday morning ties in with the Parklakes Wetlands parkrun that starts right next door, where runners showing a barcode score a free coffee with brunch. Hours run from 6am daily, closing early afternoon most days, but staying open to 8pm Thursday and Friday and 7pm Sunday.

Getting there and parking

Parklakes Drive sits a few minutes off the Bli Bli town centre, with on-street parking nearby and flat, easy access from the footpath. It is an easy detour between the Sunshine Coast hinterland and the coast road.

Nearby with the dogs

The Parklakes Wetlands path runs right beside the cafe, a leashed walk only as it is a conservation area, but a lovely lap around the lake before you sit down. For an off-leash run, Muller Park Reserve Fenced Dog Park on David Low Way is Bli Bli's dedicated fenced enclosure with water stations, and Mudjimba's off-leash beach is a short drive east for a sand session. Flawsome Cafe at Mudjimba is the other dog-friendly coffee stop on this side of the coast.

Worth knowing: the deck is the only dog area, so on a rainy day this becomes a takeaway run rather than a sit-down, and the early-afternoon close on most weekdays catches people out.