Bringing iconic Aussie sweets to a Northern New South Wales laneway, Public Supply is attracting unprecedented crowds every morning.
For three weeks straight, a cubbyhole cafe has seen round-the-block queues from 7am each morning. The objects of everyone’s affection? Fluffy glazed baked goods and a double shot espresso garnished with Coco Pops.
Welcome to Public Supply, a hole-in-the-wall of a residential apartment block in Tweed Heads, right opposite the Tweed River. It opened at the end of August 2025, and I visit on a mid-September Sunday, hoping early-day processions have dissolved into less-hectic trickles. Peering over from a sandy beach across the road, I see a crowd growing by the second and realise I’m out of luck. Public Supply cements the Tweed Heads, a once-sleepy Northern NSW coastal town located right on the border of Queensland, as a certified foodie magnet.
You’ll find Public Supply in a totally unassuming laneway
Public Supply is the brainchild of two couples, Ross Whitlock and Alysha Buckingham, and Kurt Foggo and Kallie Hunter. The foursome envisioned serious grab-and-go potential after observing several cult foodie operations in the area, including a cowboy-themed cold brew bar (Sun Devil Drinks Co.), which draws queues around the corner, and a Detroit-inspired deep-dish pizza slinger (Franc Jrs), a hot dinner ticket just two blocks over.
Foldable chairs and milk crates offer patrons a place to sit and enjoy their order. (image: Supplied)
The unassuming cafe in Tweed Heads has become an overnight success. (Image: Supplied)
Crunchy Nut-topped coffee is another viral sensation on the menu at Public Supply. (Image: Supplied)
Built in a former Japanese eatery, the design is crafty in its simplistic fit-out. One long metal countertop with a silver La Marzocco coffee machine stacks trayfuls of scrolls at one end and drinks down the other. There’s no formal seating, but benches built into the apartment block’s laneway are snapped up by customers and the team puts out folding chairs and glass-topped milk crates to create make-shift tables. Ross and Kurt run the show, leaning on a local commercial kitchen to help whip up the daily dough, before the duo gets to cutting, baking (in the two onsite ovens behind the counter), and lavishly smothering their scrolls in various glazes.
It’s tight in there, but I spot six completely frazzle-free staffers, including Ross and Kurt, on the tools during my visit. Their well-oiled machine — which churns out about 48 scrolls per oven, per bake — undoubtedly contributes to this viral success. Kallie tells me they’re selling a minimum of 300 scrolls per day and a single Friday saw roughly 500 scrolls sold. Incredible.
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The must-try items on the menu at Public Supply
The Coco Pops mocha is a hit with patrons. (Image: Supplied)
The Coco Pop Mocha is my favourite item on the menu, even compared to the pudgy-perfect, lens-magnet scrolls. A large white, branded mug is filled with Coco Pops-infused milk before a double shot of espresso, crafted from house-blend beans, is added, then finished off with a generous heaping of Coco Pops. It’s entirely photogenic, just like a chocolate milkshake, only crunchy, while still offering the caffeine hit I’m craving. Even more impressive, the coffee is balanced, the taste lingering even as the Coco Pops soften. The genius of it all makes me wonder why I haven’t tried this at home. It’s priced at $11, which is reasonable for a serving of cereal and strong coffee.
The Biscoff scroll (left) and Pistachio scroll (right) are made fresh onsite daily. (Image: Supplied)
The other non-negotiable is one of their TikTok-famous cinnamon scrolls. I struggled to choose between all six varieties: the Naked Cinny ($10) sans gooey cream cheese topping, the Original Glaze ($11) with vanilla-infused cream cheese, the Pistachio ($11) with pistachio glaze and pistachio dough infusion, the Biscoff Crumble ($11) with Biscoff cream cheese and Biscoff dough infusion, the Choccy Bueno ($11) which tastes like a Kinder Surprise, and the Vegemite & Cheese Scroll ($11). Wherever you land, the dough is pillowy (as though you’re taking from the middle of a bake tray and never from the edges), the portion size is giant, and if you’re holding a glazed one, the topping is abundantly spread. BYO wet wipes because this is a glorious, messy indulgence — you can’t avoid getting sticky.
A variety of inventive Matcha options are on the menu too. (Image: Supplied)
The other trending menu items are the two matcha drinks: the Matcha Blanc ($8) with orange-infused matcha topped with cold matcha cream foam, and the Matcha Cloud ($8) with coconut water and cold matcha cream foam. I’m not a matcha devotee myself, but Kallie tells me the Matcha Cloud is a daily fan favourite.
Additionally, there are two kid-exclusive menu items: the Fairy Bread for $4, which uses the same Original Glaze cream cheese topping, and a Cereal Cup for $5, where you can choose between Coco Pops or Crunchy Nut Cornflakes with milk.
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How Public Supply became a viral sensation
Forget plain lattes, when your morning brew at Public Supply comes with Crunchy Nut and Coco Pops on top, you know you’ve found the spot.
Kallie tells me that on opening day, Public Supply sold out of cinnamon scrolls in 45 minutes. The following day, double the amount sold out again. On the day I visit, they’re two hours away from a midday close and figures are sitting at 461 sold. Utterly bananas.
After seeing it myself, it’s clear this cafe went viral on entirely organic terms. Ross, who created the menu and brings more than a decade of hospitality experience to the helm, genuinely loves scrolls (though more savoury than sweet) and he’s baking things he and his mates simply love to eat themselves. Serving customers with real smiles and all the patience, Public Supply is unpretentious and a true product of its relaxed riverside surroundings. The outstanding sweet novelty factor is, quite literally, the icing on the cake of this slam dunk operation.
Details
If you’re driving to Public Supply from the Gold Coast, take the Gold Coast Highway past the Gold Coast Airport to Coolangatta Rd and follow the signs to Tweed Heads. It’s about eight minutes from the airport. If you’re road tripping from Byron Bay or Coffs Harbour, drive up the M1 past the border before taking the Kennedy Dr exit. Tap Wharf Rd into Maps to reach Public Supply in just a few minutes.
Address: Shop 10/29 Wharf Rd, Tweed Heads
Opening hours: 7am to 12pm, daily, but you’ll only score scrolls from Wednesday to Sunday.
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Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.
When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.
Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.
From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.
The Tweed
In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.
Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi, where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct.
Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)
The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.
Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.
End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.
Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.
Blue Mountains
The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.
For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway, then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.
Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.
Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)
Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba, which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.
Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing. Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.
Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection. There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.
End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)
Southern Highlands
Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.
Start with a lap around Dirty Janes, an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn, where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.
When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar, Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.
Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)
Another option, Onesta Cucina, does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.
Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar, where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.
Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral, a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.
Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.
Penrith
Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park, where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.
For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.
Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)
Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro, where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith, the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.
