Well there's a crazy little shack, beyond the track

And everybody calls it the Sugar Shack

It's just a coffeehouse made out wood

Espresso coffee tastes might good

That's not the reason I got to get back

To that Sugar Shack - whoa

To that Sugar Shack

From the minute I heard the truly joyous news that Red Dog coffee traders had reopened in the tiny timber cottage at the top of town, my internal DJ has been spinning Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs' Sugar Shack. On high rotation.

You see, although it's just a coffee house, made out of wood, Kai and Angel's espresso coffee really does taste mighty good. What's more, they are lovely people who are passionate about what they do - which is all that matters in my book. Actually, there is one other thing ...

Aside from a smooth, robust cup, I do like to sip my coffee somewhere with a bit of soul, a bit of personality, a place that's not - well, wall-to-wall stainless. Red Dog's former digs had such a cosy European ambiance, a laid-back elegance of cobalt blue walls, squishy leather chesterfield and rows of antique coffee cups and grinders. Change, however, can be a good thing, an exciting thing. And if Kai and Angel's old place spoke winter, their new hangout shouts summer: Valencia orange paintwork, freshly-turfed and palm-studded courtyard, white umbrellas dotted about and windows flung open to the cutest little verandah.

Ah yes - morning papers, bright blue Eumundi sky, and Angel pouring you a heavenly cup of coffee. By the time you're out the gate you'll be Walking on Sunshine ...


Red Dog open 7:30 to 13:00, Monday to Saturday. (If your partner hasn't returned from the school run, I'd check there first). As well as serving perfect in-house coffee, you can buy all your take-home supplies from their choice selection of Toby's Estate beans.
By the way, see those herbs in the garden? Angel's growing them so "the locals can pick fresh herbs if they need them."
This is why I love this town.