Blackbird Espresso was founded in Cairns with a simple vision: to create a coffee experience we could be proud of every single day. What began as a shared passion between Troy and Daniela Furner has grown into one of Cairns’ most recognised specialty coffee destinations, built on consistency, quality, and genuine community connection.
Behind every cup is a story shaped by experience, hospitality, and a commitment to doing things properly. This is the story of how Blackbird Espresso became a trusted part of the local community — and why it continues to stand out within the evolving café culture of Far North Queensland.
Built from Experience, Driven by Purpose
With more than 20 years of experience in the coffee industry, Blackbird Espresso was built on a deep understanding of what makes a café truly memorable. From the beginning, there was a clear opportunity to create a café experience centred around specialty coffee delivered with consistency, care, and attention to detail.
In a place like Cairns, where lifestyle and community go hand in hand, people value more than just great coffee. They value genuine hospitality, reliability, and spaces that feel welcoming and authentic. That’s why Blackbird Espresso was created to be more than just another café — it was built to reflect the standards, service, and passion behind every great coffee experience.
Today, Blackbird is proud to be part of the local community, known for premium coffee, welcoming energy, and an experience that keeps customers coming back.
Our Four Core Values
From day one, Blackbird Espresso has been built around a genuine passion for quality coffee and exceptional hospitality.
Guided by four core principles, our values shape every part of the Blackbird experience from the way we approach our craft to the connections we create with our community each day.
Consistency
Consistency is what builds trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships. That is why we strive to deliver the same high standard of coffee, service, and atmosphere every day across all our locations.
Vibe
We’ve always believed the right vibe can turn a café into a meeting place, and a meeting place into a community. Our spaces are designed to authentically reflect the carefree lifestyle and rhythm of Cairns coffee culture.
Passion
We genuinely love what we do! It’s what keeps us pushing forward and always improving. That passion is present in every cup we serve and every customer interaction.
Quality
We hold ourselves to high standards, from sourcing and roasting to service and presentation. We know it’s the small details that make a big difference, so we aim for quality in every aspect of our craft.
From Espresso Bar to a Recognised Brand
Blackbird Espresso first opened its doors at Blackbird Laneway, a small takeaway espresso bar tucked inside Oceana Walk Arcade in the Cairns CBD. While the setup was simple, the response from the community was immediate.
Locals quickly embraced what we were creating, visitors began seeking us out, and word spread steadily throughout the specialty coffee community. Over time, Blackbird Laneway earned recognition as one of Australia’s leading cafés, earning a place as high as 2nd in Australia on Beanhunter.com
As demand continued to grow, so did the vision behind the brand. Customers were looking for more than just takeaway coffee, they wanted a space to slow down, connect, and experience more of what Blackbird had to offer. Laneway expanded into the adjoining shop to create a space capable of seating 25.
In 2016, we expanded with the opening of our second Blackbird Espresso location alongside the Coffee NQ warehouse. The new site marked an important step in our journey, supporting the growth of both our café offering and our presence within the wholesale coffee industry.
Today, both Blackbird locations continue to evolve while staying true to the values they were founded on. With Blackbird Laneway now serving the community for more than a decade, and the warehouse café approaching its own 10-year milestone in November 2026, our focus remains the same: exceptional coffee, genuine hospitality, and creating experiences people return for every day.
Eyes on The Sky & Looking Ahead
What began as a small espresso bar has grown into something far greater than we first imagined — a brand shaped by the energy, lifestyle, and strong sense of community that defines Cairns café culture. Through every stage of growth, our focus has remained unchanged: delivering exceptional coffee with consistency, genuine care, and an experience people genuinely want to be part of.
As Blackbird Espresso continues to evolve, so too does our commitment to refining our craft, supporting our community, and creating spaces customers can rely on and return to every day.
That same approach extends beyond our cafés and into the businesses we partner with. For our wholesale customers, consistency, quality, and hospitality remain at the centre of every coffee experience — helping create offerings their own customers recognise, value, and come back for.
Looking to elevate your café, hotel, or hospitality venue?
Explore our full range of beans, equipment, and wholesale solutions at Coffee NQ, or get in touch with our team today to start serving Blackbird Coffee in your space.
Our Blackbird Coffee Locations
Blackbird Laneway
Blackbird Laneway, the birthplace of Blackbird Espresso, is situated inside the Oceana Walk Arcade in the heart of the Cairns CBD. Our bustling espresso bar is open 7 days a week and offers a relaxed atmosphere perfect for an easy-going morning or afternoon.
We provide a range of fresh, locally sourced sweet treats, perfect for enjoying with expertly crafted coffee. We also offer a selection of coffee beans, brewing equipment, and merchandise available for purchase at any time.
Monday to Thursday: 7 am to 4 pm
Saturday: 7 am to 3 pm
Sunday: 7:30 am to 1 pm
Shop 12/13, Oceana Walk, 62 Grafton Street, Cairns City
Blackbird Warehouse
Our second location opened two years after Laneway and was the original home of our supplier and parent company, Coffee NQ. Located in the industrial area of Bungalow, our spacious café offers the same great offerings as Laneway.
With plenty of on-street parking, this is the perfect choice for those early morning commutes to work!
Monday to Friday: 6:30 am to 1 pm
Saturday: 7 am to 12 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
