Australia takes its coffee very seriously. But which city has the best? A new study put the controversial question to the test, with surprising results…

In the Antipodes, coffee is more than just a beverage – it’s a ritual. Australian coffee culture is so strong and our standards so high that Starbucks incurred massive losses when they tried to open up shop down under – a point of national pride for many Aussie coffee drinkers. So, when it comes to the best coffee locales in the country, there are plenty of contenders vying for the top spot.

Recently, money transfer company Remitly crunched the numbers to determine where the best coffee in Australia (and New Zealand) can be found. And surprisingly, the usual suspects didn’t claim the crown. Here are the best coffee regions in Australia, according to data. (Spoiler alert: it’s not Melbourne!)

The Method

Remitly’s ‘coffee index’ drew from over 2.7 million Google reviews to rank cities based on:

• The number of coffee shops per capita.
• The average customer rating for coffee shops in each city.
• The number of customer reviews per coffee shop.
• The number of #Coffee posts on Instagram in each city (compared to its population).

And the winner is…

Somewhat unexpectedly, the breezy beachside city of Coffs Harbour beat out all major cities to claim the crown of best coffee region in Australia. But it shouldn’t be all too surprising – while the overall vibe here is laid-back, the city takes its coffee very seriously.

Beachside cafes with a boho aesthetic, cute-as coffee vans, and vegetarian-friendly spots serving Buddha bowls alongside excellent brews are all part of the mix. Although the town is filled with top-notch java joints, we’ve rounded up the best cafes in Coffs Harbour for you.

Artisti Coffee Roasters is a boutique roastery in Coffs Harbour.

Special mention

The Gold Coast came in second place, but the region placed first in the country (tied with Brisbane) for the highest average café rating, at 4.42/5. In the mini Los Angeles of Australia, you’re bound to see activewear-clad fitness enthusiasts jogging along the palm-tree-lined beach. The health-conscious lifestyle is reflected in the cafe culture here, with hyper-Instagrammable blue superfood lattes in Mermaid Beach and and plenty of cafes serving up organic food. You can find the best cafes on the Gold Coast here.

Elk Espresso epitomises the health-conscious, laid-back coffee culture of the Gold Coast. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

The full list

1. Coffs Harbour, NSW
2. Gold Coast, QLD
3. Cairns, QLD
4. Sunshine Coast, QLD
5. Shepparton, VIC
6. Melbourne, VIC
7. Mildura, VIC
8. Brisbane, QLD
9. Adelaide, SA
10. Sydney, NSW

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