So, basically

Back in 2019, after a roadtrip across Australia, a stint overseas and a return home… newlyweds Matt and Mon decided to open a coffee shop.

Had they ever owned a coffee shop before? No. But Matt’s years in hospo, and Mon’s background in design meant they’d give it a go. Actually, the pair will give most things ago.

And they don’t do it by halves or even thirds and definitely not eighths.

So when they wandered past a roller door in the backstreets of Tamworth, others might not have bat an eye, but the pair saw potential.

They’ve always kind of been like that.

Seeing magic stuff that other people can’t quite catch. So, when they hunted down the owner and pitched the idea, they began an adventure in uncharted territory.

The coffee shop was a little place. There was no room for tables and basically no room for a chair. The windows were murky and it was hot. Like, hot hot. But people gathered. Down on the driveway and on the side of the road.

Soon people brought their own chairs and flipped milk crates to chat on. Then a whole gaggle of people came to catch up. Locals and people not from around these parts alike hunted down Camp Grounds. Kind of like this hidden ‘X’ on Tamworth’s downtown map.

The dream’s always been to offer spesh coffee and changing brews. To champion regional suppliers, their stories. Traceability matters to us. Things like where food and drink comes from, and how it came to be. Who was involved and that they were paid fairly. It’s not as a cool extra, but an important first step in our selection process.

It makes us grin to know we’ve been living our values ever since that roller door went up the first day. Same in Gunnedah where we ran a second shop for a couple of years. Did you know Miranda Kerr is from Gunnedah? She didn’t come in, but that’s okay (love you Miranda).

What a throwback. Speaking of throwbacks, Matt and Mon are lovers of vintage. Of a time before now. And actually, they met when Mon had a My Little Ponies collection and Matt owned all kinds of Master Of The Universe stuff.

Did you know: before all this, Matt followed Mon to Melbourne under strict instructions not to fall in love with her. But after four years, one WA proposal, and a wedding in a shed surrounded by cows and teatowels from across the country… it was pretty clear he broke the rules.

When Camp Grounds moved to Peel Street in 2023, the crew wondered if being in plain sight would be tricky. After all, the best gems are stumbled upon on an unexpected op shop shelf, in their opinion.

But it’s been great. There’s even room for chairs. The Tamworth Business Awards and Regional Council think it’s pretty cool too, they’ve even given us some tiny shiny statues to say how much they like it.

Then, after chatting with you all, in 2025, Camp Grounds Wine Bar opened. With the same attention to product and produce. With the same commitment to bringing you cool stuff. With the same uncatchable magic, now on the walls and in your cup.

It may or may not surprise you that Matt’s dabbled in wine-making and, well, the whole team appreciates a good drop.So here’s to Camp’s next adventure. Thanks for being a part of it. And thanks for stopping by.

A stream of steamed milk being poured from a metal jug into a ceramic cup of espresso, forming latte art on the surface.

Happy Campers Say

I love people who commit to theme. Beautiful colours and the vibrant orange blanket that was at all our camp grounds many years ago. Reminds me of my grandpa and his Valiant. He had the rug on the back seat . Coffee excellent. Take a few minutes and put down the devices and let these lovely , happy staff share their place with you. Good tunes.

Angus Scown

Saturday night was our last night at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, we went to a gig at Camp Grounds Coffee Shop. Two wonderful women from Broken Hill were performing. The evening was a delightful, immersive sensory experience where acoustics, melodies, warm lighting, the aroma and taste of delicious food, excellent service, storytelling and laughter combined to create a sense of community and shared joy. Thank you Kahal (I hope I've spelled your name correctly), the great team in the kitchen and the singers Amy and Charlotte for the wonderful night! We left Tamworth on a high - what a great experience all around.

Carolyn Hastie

Love this local café and wine bar! We went to their Narong and Majama Wines take over night and it was so good. Amazing flavours and such a fun atmosphere. We’ve also been to their recent Italian night, which was just as great. The food is always spot on and the wines are delicious. The vibe is welcoming, funky and unique, which makes it such a standout spot. The staff are super friendly and always happy to help with wine or menu recommendations. Such a great local gem and we’re already looking forward to our next visit!

Charlotte Moore

Had a lovely dinner out at Campgrounds on a Saturday night. Most enjoyable dinner we've had out in Tamworth in years. Great food, small menu, friendly staff who knew everything about the food and drinks. Excellent cocktails (most important). Look forward to being back!

Chris White

Just passed through Tamworth needing a little pick-me-up for our big drive and this sweet cafe absolutely delivered. Soy latte was delicious, decor I’m still thinking about (big cozy vintage situation), and super nice humans working there. Walked away thinking maybe I should move to Tamworth so I could be a regular ✨

Grace J

10/10 coffee, food and service. Super friendly and welcoming cafe - incredibly friendly, polite and helpful staff. Delicious coffee and food! Ended up buying coffee grounds to take home to. Best coffee we found in Tamworth by far. Gluten free bread so we can enjoy the scrumptious toasties too!

Holly Graham

I've been coming here for my morning coffee for ages, but will also now be a regular for their nights. The new Italian menu is SO good. Great entrees, delicious simple pastas done really well, wines you won't find anywhere else. It's a 10 out of 10 winner for me. Fully recommend.

Luke Massey

WOW!!!! Just…… Wow!!!! At risk of showing my age (proud 80’s kid!) you will walk into this beautiful place and be hit with nostalgia!! They even had one of the old-school Australia maps hanging on the wall that we’ve all stared at, day-dreaming about where we were going to travel to. The staff were amazingly friendly and made a genuinely warm effort with everyone making an order. The food was exceptional! If you want to be full, go for a bacon and egg roll, add double of everything and enjoy the farm fresh eggs and proper actual cured bacon!!!! But the coffee, the passion of the barista, that’s why I’m writing this review!! I can’t describe enough, how lovely it was to have a conversation with someone about coffee, who cares about it! Not only that, he was very happy to recommend places to stop at on the way back home. I wish I had grabbed the staff member’s names but I will making every effort to visit these folks again!

Luke Osborne

We live lives, bombarded by imposed urgency, manufactured problems, and deprived of ritual. And yet, the diligent and observant among us can if we try, rebuild these quiet moments, these simple pleasures. The morning cafe crowd at Camp Grounds developed during covid. Up and down Dowe St, carefully, respectfully, socially distanced we sat. Together, yet apart. That vital human connection outside our confines. The warmth of human generosity, and the exceptional coffee held so many of us through rough times. People would bring their own chairs. Though people come and go, both community and solitude still exist in the Peel St Camp Grounds. I’ve overheard the rigorous training underway covering all levels of hospitality excellence. So if you’re looking to make space and time for the warmth of interaction, and the healing opportunity to reflect, reset and recalibrate with friends, or alone amongst them, this might be the place.

Phillip Pitt
COMMUNITY

We don’t believe conversations should be had over coffee, wine and food, but with it. In your cup and on your plate. The growers and grinders doing cool stuff, differently. When it comes to whose stuff you’ll taste… chances are, we’ll know them by name and have a little story to share about how their stuff landed on you fork.

JOY

We’re pretty certain most of life’s problems can be solved with a coin toss, scissors paper rock or a bucket. If not, a good yarn with Matt should set you straight. Come huddle under the canoe (it’s true, we have one on the roof) and solve the world’s problems with us. Or at least have a good chat and a giggle with your mates at Camp.

ADVENTURE

Whether you’re just passing through, or a Tamworth local, come kick your boots under the table and tuck into something sunny side up, piping hot or extra yummy. Perhaps you’ve got a couple of secs to throw back an espresso before you hit the road. Or it’s a full belly pre-hike fuel up you’re after. Either way, we’re laced up and ready.