Yarra Valley Bush Cafe in Kilsyth
Melbourne’s suburban safari café with a holographic zoo.
If you’re after something totally different to do with the kids on a weekday morning, pop this one on your radar. The brand new Yarra Valley Bush Café in Kilsyth is unlike anything else I’ve seen around Melbourne. It’s run by the same passionate team behind the Yarra Valley Nocturnal Zoo and brings a slice of the wild into suburbia – think safari-themed café vibes, live animal encounters, and even a holographic zoo experience (yep, you read that right!).
This hidden gem is tucked away on Hawthory Road in Kilsyth and is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am to 2pm. It’s walk-in only for now, and with word starting to spread, I’d recommend arriving early.
A one-of-a-kind holographic animal experience
The absolute highlight? The massive holographic projection inside the café that transforms your brunch into a mini adventure. While you’re sipping your coffee or nibbling a sausage roll, you might spot giraffes, crocodiles, frogs, deer – even a surprise dinosaur – coming to life on the walls and floor.
The sounds and visuals make it such a hit with kids (and honestly, adults too). It felt like we were right in the middle of a nature documentary, without ever leaving our table. There are also real animals to see while you’re there – we spotted fish and a snake on our visit, and they’re planning to add even more in future. The whole space has that earthy, natural feel and the team’s love of wildlife and education really shines through.
Reptile enclosure and fish tanks inside
Safari-style seating with a holographic experience (*cannot show holographic images due to copyright)
Coffee, community and kindness
Beyond the animal magic, the café is also doing something really meaningful. It offers supported employment opportunities for people with disabilities, which makes the experience feel even more special. It’s a beautiful reminder to show patience, kindness and respect – especially during busy periods, which this place is bound to have soon!
As for food, the menu keeps it simple and satisfying – hearty pies, quiches, sausage rolls, pastries and hot drinks. It’s perfect for a quick bite while the kids are totally mesmerised by the projections or chatting about the animals they’ve just seen.
Big bonus: they’re expanding soon to include koala photo opportunities on weekends and eventually plan to offer combo packages with tours at their Yarra Valley Nocturnal Zoo. The zoo itself is now open for school groups, private bookings and even overnight stays – so if you’ve got little wildlife lovers at home, keep an eye out for what’s to come.
Seating area with digital animal projection
The deets
📍 Yarra Valley Bush Café – 55 Hawthory Road, Kilsyth VIC 3137
🕒 Open Tue, Wed & Fri, 9am – 2pm will potentially open on weekends in the future
🎟️ No bookings required – walk-ins only (for the cafe, not the zoo)
🍽️ Hot drinks, pastries, pies, sausage rolls and soft drinks
🐾 Holographic animal display, small live animal area, inclusive staff, no loud music, dimmed lighting. Koala photo ops and zoo tours will commence soon when they have capacity.
Unlock your golden ticket! Spend $30 or more and you receive a FREE tour at their Yarra Valley Nocturnal Zoo 🙂
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