Understory Community Café: Now Open, Where Coffee Meets Creativity

Over the past few months, Southern Forest Arts has been quietly growing something special – the Understory Community Café.

Beginning with a series of soft openings back in November, the café was introduced as a pop-up coffee van designed to test ideas, train staff, and, most importantly, connect with the community. These early openings allowed the team to build confidence, refine operations, and respond directly to community feedback in a relaxed and welcoming way.

Throughout summer, the Understory Community Café took to the road, including a seasonal pop-up at Windy Harbour, where it operated alongside peak holiday activity. Set against the coastal landscape, the café became a place for locals and visitors alike to pause, enjoy a coffee, and connect, reinforcing the café’s role as a flexible, mobile social space that can respond to different settings and seasons.

The soft opening period also supported local employment and skills development, with team members gaining hands-on experience in hospitality, customer service, and community engagement. This approach reflects Southern Forest Arts’ commitment to building capacity through place-based, people-focused initiatives.

Following the summer pop-up season, the Understory Community Café has now returned to Northcliffe, where it will operate from a regular base at the rear of the Northcliffe Visitor Centre.

The café’s usual operating hours are:

• Location: Rear of the Northcliffe Visitor Centre
• Days: Wednesday to Saturday
• Time: 9am–2pm

As a pop-up and mobile café, Understory will continue to appear at markets, events, and seasonal locations across the region. Opening days, times, and locations may vary, and the community is encouraged to follow Southern Forest Arts on social media for the most up-to-date information.

As the Understory Community Café moves into its next phase, it remains grounded in its original purpose: creating a welcoming, inclusive space where good coffee supports connection, conversation, and community wellbeing.