Tommy Smith cafe has opened at the heritage estate, Woodlands of Marburg. It’s a new stopping point on the Warrego Highway between Brisbane and Toowoomba for regular travellers and day-trippers.
And it’s good news for pie lovers! Gourmet pies are the specialty. The list includes country quail and vegetable and the ‘Tommy Smith Cheeky Beef’ with slow cooked beef cheek and sweet potato. There’s even a gluten-free offering on the list – a frittata-style pie.
New operators of Woodlands of Marburg, a boutique heritage accommodation, events & wedding venue, David Ritchie and Michael Rowan, have sourced a unique locally roasted coffee blend for the cafe. Both venue and coffee are name after Tommy Smith who commissioned the building of the Woodlands mansion back in the 1800s.
Tommy’s father, Charles Smith, bought the land in 1870 as part of a property stretching from Marburg to Glamorganvale. After Charles’ death Tommy carried out his father’s plans to build the manion and he lived there with his wife, Mary, and their 11 children.
Designed by George Brockwell and constructed by 1891, Woodlands was once the centre of a large sugar plantation. It was one of the first estates of its kind to have electricity installed in the house, mill, stables and office.
The new cafe crew were delighted to receive a visit from one of Tommy Smith’s grandchildren as they prepared to open the cafe.
They plan to run regular tours of the magnificent hill-top mansion which overlooks a vineyard and one of the region’s most instagrammed trees. The lone fig stands silhouetted on the skyline, a welcoming park bench perched beneath it.
With its proximity to Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast, and ample on-site parking, Woodlands of Marburg is the perfect day-trip destination, perhaps for classic car clubs, for example.
In the meantime, motorists can call in for coffee and pies. There is also a daily range of cupcakes available from Queen of Cupcakes. Enjoy a bite on the breezy deck or indoors where the vintage furniture serves two purposes – it’s all for sale from nearby Scotland Yard Antiques.
Tommy Smith Cafe is open from 7.30am week days and from 9am on Saturday and Sunday. Keep up to date with the cafe at the Facebook page.
