The Big Coffee Maker
Height
Unknown
Year Built
Address
Brunswick, VIC 3056
The Lowdown
The Big Coffee Maker stands in Brunswick, one of Melbourne's most vibrant inner-city suburbs and a hub of the city's legendary cafe culture. This oversized tribute to the humble coffee maker celebrates Melbourne's position as one of the world's great coffee cities. Brunswick, with its strong Italian heritage, was instrumental in bringing espresso culture to Australia from the 1950s onwards. Today, the suburb is packed with specialty roasters, third-wave coffee houses, and neighbourhood cafes where baristas practice their craft with religious dedication. The Big Coffee Maker is a fitting tribute to the brew that fuels Melbourne.
Did you know?
"The flat white was popularized in Melbourne and Sydney in the 1980s"
History
Melbourne's coffee culture began with Italian immigration in the post-war era. Immigrants from Calabria, Sicily, and other regions brought their espresso machines and opened the cafes that would transform Australia's coffee habits. Brunswick, with its strong Italian community, became a coffee heartland. While other Australian cities were still drinking instant coffee in the 1970s, Melbourne was perfecting the flat white. The Big Coffee Maker celebrates this heritage and the city's ongoing status as a global coffee capital.
More Fun Facts
- •Melbourne is regularly ranked among the world's best coffee cities
- •Brunswick has been home to Italian immigrants since the 1950s
- •The flat white was popularized in Melbourne and Sydney in the 1980s
- •Melbourne has more cafes per capita than most cities globally
- •Brunswick's Sydney Road is one of Melbourne's longest shopping strips
Visiting Tips
- 💡Explore Sydney Road for vintage shops and cafes
- 💡Brunswick has excellent Italian and Middle Eastern restaurants
- 💡Take the No. 19 tram from the city centre
- 💡The nearby Merri Creek trail is great for walking and cycling
Opening Hours
Outdoor sculpture accessible at all times.
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