Bucasia’s New Home For Slow Mornings And Smoky Sundays

The Grounds Collective Bucasia

Sometimes the sweetest success brews from second chances – in life, in love, and in coffee. Just ask Tammy and Dan, the heart and soul behind The Grounds Collective Bucasia, a new café bringing a relaxed Byron Bay vibe to Mackay’s northern beaches.

Nestled beside Annie’s Nursery on Mackay Bucasia Road, The Grounds Collective is more than just a café – it’s a story of reinvention, resilience and rekindled dreams. With its lush garden setting, indoor and outdoor seating,

Campos coffee, all-day brunch, cakes and a menu showcasing local produce, it’s become a haven for locals looking to unwind.

But before the café came to life, Tammy and Dan were crafting a different kind of story.

“I was living in northern New South Wales and Dan was working FIFO when we met in 2019,” Tammy said. Both had been previously married and already had children of their own.

Then COVID struck, and border closures separated them for nearly 10 months.

“It was a very difficult time for everyone,” Tammy said.

“When the border reopened briefly in 2020, we reconnected in Queensland, and soon after, it closed again. That’s when I decided to stay and build a new life in North Queensland."

The couple rented a small cabin at Mt Jukes for 18 months before buying a home at Haliday Bay.

“It wasn’t part of the plan,” Dan said with a smile.

“But life had other ideas.”

Tammy, with a background in corporate finance and small business ownership, had long dreamed of opening a café.

“I’ve always been obsessed with food,” she laughed.

“I’ve travelled the world and planned holidays around restaurants.”

Dan and Tammy have eaten at some of the top venues – from street food in Vietnam to fine dining in France.

One of Tammy’s finest dining moments was on an Italian cliffside at Nessun Dorma, where you can make your own pesto and then bask in the Mediterranean sunshine while sipping fine wine.

In late 2022, after a mandatory COVID vaccination required for her employment, Tammy was diagnosed with the heart condition of Pericarditis, which has since resulted in more than 60 days in hospital, and two cardiac operations. The health crisis sidelined overseas travel and ultimately ended her time in the mining industry, prompting her to refocus on her true passion. The opportunity to take over the old café site next to Annie’s Nursery came up unexpectedly.

“When we walked into the space, we could see the potential,” Dan said.

Dan is a cabinet maker by trade, and the couple rolled up their sleeves to completely refit the kitchen and rebuild the front counter from scratch, transforming the space into something uniquely their own. Their focus was clear from the start: good food, a calming, down-to-earth atmosphere, and a place where locals – and their pets – could unwind.

A highlight on the upcoming calendar will be Smokin’ Sundays, where the smoker gets fired up for a mouth-watering selection of slow-cooked meats, served to the soundtrack of live local music. The long-term dream is to have a licensed bar on site, but for now, it’s a laid-back BYO vibe.

Built with love, grounded in good taste, and proof that life’s best chapters often come second time around, The Grounds Collective Bucasia is more than a café.

It’s a comeback story.

Facebook: The Grounds Collective Bucasia

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