In terms of location, there’s not much more you could want from Hard Coffee. The Noosa-based café is located just across the road from Noosa Heads Main Beach, and there’s a steady flow of surfers, locals, and tourists who pass by the idyllic spot for a surf or to stop at Shane Newton’s café for quality-produced coffee.
“When I started here 11 years ago we were one of the only cafés serving specialty coffee and doing it well, but now the culture has become stronger and there’s a number of small roasters in Noosa and a greater push towards specialty coffee,” he says. “It’s good for the town to have options. It does make it more competitive, but it has also educated people to have a greater appreciation for specialty coffee.”
Hard Coffee serves Campos Coffee’s Superior as its house blend and offers a number of different single origins. A particular favourite at time of print was Campos’ Galapagos Islands La Tortuga single origin.
“I’ve worked with Campos for the past 10 years. I used to be a barista trainer for a large multinational company, which is how I discovered the brand, and I could always see its potential. I thought it was the best coffee going around and I still do, Campos has been fantastic,” Shane says. “They’ve supported me the whole way. They’ve been generous with supplying me with my equipment (a La Marzocco Line PB, Mazzer grinder and Mahlkönig EK43) and if there’s any problems, Campos has their finger on the pulse. It’s not just the coffee I enjoy, it’s their overall approach to service and support.”
Shane is the only café owner in Noosa Heads to use Campos Coffee. He also has exclusivity in Mooloolaba with his second café Hustle and Flow.
On a hot summer’s day, Shane says his cold drip is a popular choice, and it has really picked up the last couple of years as more people transition from ice coffee.
Hard Coffee serves simple, healthy means such as nourish bowls, fresh sandwiches, and smashed avo.
Shane says when he’s not working the floor, he can be found behind the coffee machine doing what he loves best – making coffee for the people of Noosa.
“It doesn’t seem to get boring or monotonous. My staff have been with me a long time, we’re all best mates, and the locals have been coming here for years. I still get excited when I pour the perfect rosetta on a coffee, and then try to make the next one just as good, if not better. As a barista, you’re always chasing perfection.”
Hard coffee beach café
18 Hastings Street,
Noosa Heads, Queensland, 4567
Open seven days, 7am to 4pm
0410 673 377