Flaggy Rock Cafe up for $1.3M sale on Bruce Highway after 10 years

A Central Queensland cafe that built its reputation as a popular roadstop on the Bruce Highway is up for sale after the owners invested in a modern rebrand and reno.

A Central Queensland cafe that built its reputation as a popular roadstop on the Bruce Highway is up for sale after the owners invested in a modern rebrand and reno.

An iconic roadstop on the Bruce Highway is up for sale after the owners invested in a modern rebrand and reno.

Flaggy Rock Cafe has been refreshing weary travellers since 1988 from its 17-acre block of land between Mackay and Rockhampton.

Caroline Pollitt and her husband Robin bought the cafe in 2014, continuing its reputation as a popular roadstrip known for its ice cream.

But the dream job turned nightmare after Mr Pollitt was diagnosed with cancer months later.

Robin and Caroline Pollitt

After his passing, Caroline Politt’s daughter Tarryn Hawley and her partner John Ward moved up with their children — Ms Politt’s grandkids — in 2019 to help manage a major renovation and rebrand.

“We came up with the little slogan, Expect The Unexpected, purely because we had people come through and review us that it was totally unexpected,” Ms Hawley said.

Flaggy Rock Cafe, an iconic roadside stop between Mackay and Rockhampton, is up for sale. Photo: Ray White

“We rebranded, we brought out the new gourmet menu.”

Mr Ward is a trained chef who “knew how to compose a menu” while working within the limitations of a rural site, “limited food stocks without the availability to fresh food delivered daily”.

Flaggy Rock Cafe is up for sale in 2024, 100kms south of Mackay. Photo: Ray White

Ms Hawley said the couple and their sons had hoped to stay longer but, with her mother looking to retire, the opportunities they saw in Flaggy Rock Cafe were now open to others.

Ms Pollitt set up a community craft shed on the property to give artists in the area a “place to showcase their stuff and sell it”, making Flaggy Rock Cafe a hub for the neighbourhood.

Flaggy Rock Cafe is up for sale in 2024, 100kms south of Mackay. Photo: Ray White

Another plan was to develop a caravan park for travellers and grey nomads out of the existing RV reststop, and Ms Hawley said prospective buyers could pursue “anything you can dream”.

“We had a vision to stay here for 10 years and keep doing what we’re doing, but that’s not my mum’s wish,” Ms Hawley said.

FAMILY LEGACY: Tarryn Hawley and her partner John Ward left their mark at Flaggy Rock Cafe.

“She’s ready to go and travel and she wants to buy a little house by the ocean and have that kind of lifestyle before she gets too old to enjoy it.”

The listing on Ray White states the property includes a two bedroom managers home, a 1 bed portable donga, a two bedroom workers accommodation, and two machinery sheds supported by a 23k solar system as well as rainwater tanks.

A beautiful rural setting features two billabongs on the property are also stocked with barramundi and perch, as well as 20 car parks for visitors.

Flaggy Rock Cafe is for sale for $1.3 million with any inquiries directed to Ray White realtor Zak Meiert at 0478022977.

Originally published as Flaggy Rock Cafe up for $1.3M sale on Bruce Highway after 10 years