Travel Action Matilda Country Magazine 2023 - Volume 34

THIS CAFE LIVES UP TO ITS NAME
The name says it all ... this café authentically
is ‘ridgee didge’... from its very own blend of
coffee to its honest food, freshly prepared,
cooked and served in house by locals. The only
backpackers you will fi nd here are among the
diners. The prices at The Ridgee Didge Café
are very reasonable too. So if you’re looking for
more than a warmed up stodgy pie on the run
and looking to just chill out ‘outback ‘style in air
conditioned comfort, the Ridgee Didge Cafe is
the place for you.
The menu selection is broad and guaranteed to
please most tastes. Enjoy the all day breakfast,
including the new offering, the ‘Barcy Eggs
Benny’ roast of the day or beef lasagne with
salad. There are hot and cold lighter options too,
including the Barcy BLT, as well as sandwiches,
wraps and salad bowls.
If you’ve popped in to enjoy the unique Coolamon Coffee, select from a range of delicious cakes and
desserts to complement your cuppa. There is also a selection of unique Keep Cups for sale, with
authentic Aboriginal designs, perfect for your coffee! Look for the daily morning tea specials which
are likely to feature freshly baked scones or slice. There are also lunch specials, served Tuesday to
Friday with take-away service being available also.
While at the cafe, browse the range of wonderful Aboriginal giftware, including handbags,
boomerangs, cushion covers, scarves, drink coolers, bush medicines and food.
Cheryl Thompson, a Yiningai woman, is passionate about serving quality, fresh food and great
coffee, as well as providing a meeting place where locals and travellers alike can yarn and laugh
together as well as be guided to a range of authentic Aboriginal products, artworks and experiences
via the cafe or the Desert Dreaming Centre located adjacent to the cafe. What better place to start
your immersion into Aboriginal Australia than at the Ridgee Didge Cafe.
And Cheryl is certainly well qualifi ed to do just that. This café has been in her family for many years.
Known originally as the Blue Danube, it became an iconic stop for interstate truck drivers to pull in
for a truckie-size feed from Cheryl’s father, Davey Thompson.
Remember, you’re in the Outback. What’s the rush? Come and sit for a while, give yourself some ‘me’
time, time to absorb and refl ect on the remoteness and the uniqueness of the space you are in. Even
better when you can complement that time with great coffee and great tucker.
The Ridgee Didge Café is open seven days, from 6.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.00am
to 2.00pm on weekends.
TRAVEL ACTION MATILDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE // Barcaldine
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