Let's Connect with Cathy at Wombat Cottage
Wombat Cottage Café – A Pleasant Surprise in the Heart of Wombat
For years, Cathy Olofsen walked past the quiet, empty building across from the Wombat Hotel and imagined what it could be — a warm, welcoming café filled with laughter, conversation, and the smell of something baking.
She knew the potential was there. After all, she’d worked across the road at the Wombat Hotel and in venues around the Hilltops and Southern Highlands.
“I’d dreamt of creating a space where people could come together — to enjoy good food, art, and connection,” Cathy says.”
Before the café, Cathy ran a market stall selling her handmade natural beauty products, baked goods, crafts, and her now-famous Rocky Road. It was during that time she realised how much she loved creating things that brought people joy. So when regional NSW opened back up after lockdown, she decided it was time to be brave.
And just like that, Wombat Cottage Café opened its doors — bringing life, colour, and delicious home-cooked meals back to the main street.
Inside, it feels like visiting an old friend. The shelves are lined with locally made treasures — from handmade chocolate freckles to pearls, crafts, and bush tucker pantry staples. The menu weaves Cathy’s Indigenous heritage throughout, with native ingredients showing up in cakes, sauces, and hearty meals that carry a story of their own.
It’s the kind of place where time slows down, where you can taste the care in every bite. And for many, it’s become the backdrop for life’s special moments — birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, and quiet catch-ups over coffee.
“I always feel honoured when people choose our café to celebrate something important,” Cathy shares. “That’s what makes it special.”
Wombat Cottage Café has also become a meeting place for local groups — from car clubs and ladies’ catch-ups to charity and history gatherings.
“That sense of community is what I love most,” Cathy says. “It reminds me every day why I wanted to be here.”
And while the café is earning quite the reputation for its now locally famous Vanilla Slice — featured on “Best Vanilla Slice” lists and even mentioned in the Sydney Morning Herald — what keeps people coming back isn’t just dessert. It’s the feeling of being part of something heartfelt and genuine.
“When people walk in, I want them to feel that warmth,” Cathy says with a smile. “Like they’ve just walked into a friend’s home.”
It’s Like Coming Home
Hidden in the heart of Wombat, this little café is a beautiful reminder that community, creativity, and courage can bring a space — and a town — to life again.
Three words that sum up Wombat Cottage? Charm. Warmth. Character.
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