Australia’s coffee journey started humbly, with instant coffee dominating households in the early 20th century. But everything changed in the post-war period, when Italian and Greek migrants brought with them espresso machines and café culture. By the 1950s and 60s, Melbourne and Sydney were home to thriving espresso bars, a cultural shift that planted the seeds of the local coffee scene we know today.

1. From Instant to Espresso

For decades, instant coffee was the norm. It was convenient, cheap, and accessible. But thanks to migrant communities, Australians were introduced to the art of espresso. Cafés became more than just places to grab a drink. They became cultural gathering hotspots and gateways to a new lifestyle.

2. The Emergence of the Independent Cafés

By the 1990s, Australian cities began to distance themselves from global coffee chains and embraced independent cafés focused on quality, experience, and community. This shift cemented a uniquely Australian coffee identity, one that values craftsmanship, creativity, and local connection.

3. The Flat White Revolution

The iconic flat white, smooth, creamy, and espresso-forward is arguably Australia’s most famous contribution to global coffee culture. Its origins are contested between Australia and New Zealand, but it is said to be perfected in Australian cafés, and quickly became a defining part of our homegrown coffee style.

4. Sustainability Joins the Story

In recent years, Australia’s coffee culture has taken on a new dimension, i.e. sustainability. Local producers, roasters, and cafés are embracing low-waste practices, ethical sourcing, and circular systems. The result is a coffee culture that’s not only delicious, but also clean, conscious, and future ready.