Cafe on Second, Injune revealed as South West Queensland’s best coffee shop, 2024

South West Queenslanders have voted for the best coffee shop in the region, but there were so many incredible cafes to choose from. Hear the unique and heartwarming stories of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of running a cafe in a regional community here.

While only one could come out on top, South West Queensland is home to a host of incredible coffee shops, all with their own character, stories and charm.

Residents from across the region nominated their favourite coffee shops, with 29 registered altogether.

There was fierce competition, but one won in a landslide.

Injune’s Cafe on Second secured the top spot with a whopping 26 per cent of the vote.

Cafe on Second was voted as South West Queensland's best coffee place. Left to right: Kirstie Hewson, Konnie Pawlica, Tanelle Sands, Nicki Parker.

When Cafe on Second’s previous owners said they were leaving town in 2021, Nicki Parker had a big decision to make.

“I thought ‘oh my god if the local coffee shop shuts down, what am I going to do?’,” Ms Parker recalled.

So, within two weeks, she decided to buy the quaint Injune cafe and she’s never looked back.

Now three years into owning and managing Cafe on Second, Ms Parker said she was “gobsmacked” the cafe was voted as South West Queensland’s favourite coffee shop.

The secret to success, she said, is personalisation.

“We pretty much personalise everything,” Ms Parker said.

The menu at Cafe on Second is more of a guideline, which means guests can have exactly what they want.

The cafe’s barrister, Kirstie Hewson, has worked behind the coffee machine at the cafe for close to eight years, so she knows the regular’s orders like the back of her hand.

“Guests don’t even have to come in and order,” Ms Parker said.

Ms Parker said the cafe also serves as a meeting place for the Injune community.

“It’s the only place in town people can come to catch up,” she said.

“We must be doing something right,” Ms Parker said, about the victory.

Second place was won by Rex Coffee in Roma.

Bringing in third place was Unstable Coffee in Quilpie, owned and run by Mary McNair.

Unstable coffee, Quilpie.

Ms McNair operates Unstable Coffee out of a converted horse float.

She said her customer base is “75 per cent locals”.

“It’s a funny space because it can be so many different things to different people,” Ms McNair said.

“Mums can have some respite and for others it’s a place to vent.

“(The regulars) don’t have to order, they just come and sit and wait for me to tell them their order’s ready.”

Ms McNair said she never really intended for Unstable Coffee to take off the way it did.

“It was just supposed to be for one event,” she said.

“Now it’s a Monday to Friday business.”

Though she said she mostly fell into being the owner and manager of a thriving country coffee shop, it’s also letting her live out a dream.

Ms McNair said she studied a bachelor of nutrition, and always dreamt of owning a health food cafe.

She said she doesn’t want to pigeonhole her business, but said she describes unstable coffee as “funky,” and likes that she can serve gluten-free treats.

“It’s really exciting, to be doing what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Another coffee shop that garnered lots of support was ALT fusion in Mitchell.

ALT Fusion, Mitchell.

ALT Fusion is run by Access Learning Training, an organisation which aims to break down barriers for people with a disability to find meaningful employment.

ALT director, Myrtil Butler-Woodall, said ALT fusion is a great coffee shop because of its broader social justice endeavours.

“ALT Fusion was set up to give people with a disability the opportunity to develop skills and achieve work related goals,” Ms Butler-Woodall said.

“ALT Fusion is more than just a coffee shop, it is a place that gives people meaning and support to achieve a good life.”

Another South West Coffee Shop which garnered a lot of support was the Thallon General Store.

Nestled in the Balonne Shire’s smallest town, the Thallon General Store is a coffee shop run by Mark and Sonja.

Thallon Coffee Shop was opened in March 2022 by Mark and Sonja.

Mark said the couple bought the coffee shop in 2022.

The building is steeped in history, first built in 1950 as Ross’ Cafe, which later became Woodlock’s until 2010, when it shut down.

Mark said the cafe also nods towards the past in their menu.

“We can guarantee a 1970s style thickshake,” he said.

Thallon Coffee Shop was opened in March 2022 by Mark and Sonja.

Mark said the cafe offers a broad variety of beverages and food, while trying to “keep it affordable for families and workers”.

Originally published as Cafe on Second, Injune revealed as South West Queensland’s best coffee shop, 2024