Key Facts:
- Dog on the Tuckerbox Kiosk and Farm Shop expands offerings with regional wines, ciders and natural drinks, including Thieving Bastards wines and Apple Thief ciders
- New Australian Native Bush Co drinks featuring Indigenous ingredients and traditional knowledge added to product range
- Kiosk's history dates back to 1932 when Annie Pyers established the first souvenir shop and tea rooms at Snake Gully
- Current management maintains focus on natural, locally-made products, continuing Annie Pyers' legacy of serving travellers and supporting local producers
- Facility operates daily 9am-4pm throughout April, excluding Easter Sunday and Anzac Day
The Dog on the Tuckerbox Kiosk and Farm Shop is pouring new life into a long‑standing tradition, with an expanded range of regional wines, ciders and natural drinks now available for sale.
Shelves now feature Thieving Bastards and Tumbalong Mills wines, Apple Thief and Crafty Apple ciders, and other carefully selected regional producers, giving travellers and locals alike more reasons to stop, browse and take a taste of the region home with them. The new range includes bottles of red, white and rosé wine, alongside easy‑drinking ciders available in both bottles and cans.
The additions are designed to complement the kiosk's existing focus on local and naturally made products, fitting seamlessly alongside the Annie's Pantry range and other regional goods.
Australian Native Bush Co drinks now stocked
Also new to the shelves are Australian Native Bush Co iced teas and energy drinks, further strengthening the kiosk's commitment to natural, innovative Australian products.
Produced by Head Brewer Matt Thiele of Cypher Brewing in Canberra, in collaboration with Aboriginal knowledge holder Richie Allen, the drinks showcase native Australian ingredients and traditional knowledge. The caffeine‑free energy drink, instantly recognisable by its muscular koala label, features natural Banksia extract, organic Lemon Myrtle, soluble Wattleseed fibre, and Strawberry Gum, combined with carbonated water. The only sugars present are naturally occurring sugars from Banksia nectar. The iced tea blends Wild Rosella, Strawberry Gum and Peppermint Gum with carbonated water, offering a distinctly Australian take on a familiar drink.
"This drink has been in the making for over 65,000 years. Using Banksia marginata and traditional harvesting knowledge passed down by our Ngunnawal Elders, we honour Country with every can, said Richie Allen, Ngunnawal knowledge holder.
For Matt and Jeff (Co-founder) at Cypher Brewing, this collaboration represents a dedication to creating unique, meaningful products that tell a story and connect people to place.
From Snake Gully to today: Annie Pyers' story lives on
This latest chapter at the Dog on the Tuckerbox echoes a much older story that began at Snake Gully more than ninety years ago.
After the Dog monument was unveiled in 1932, Annie Pyers negotiated the right to open a souvenir shop and tea rooms at the site. Built from bush timber and corrugated iron, her modest kiosk served refreshments and sold souvenirs to travellers making their way along the developing highway. Annie's daughter, Ada Heath, later recalled her mother declaring she would "set up a souvenir shop and tea rooms and look after the monument."
That decision transformed the site from a simple roadside stop into a place of hospitality.
Born in Arncliffe, Sydney in 1884, Annie Elizabeth Pyers (nee Skinner) ran shops throughout her life, supported her family through hardship, and embodied the resilience of early rural businesswomen. Her enterprise laid the foundations for what the Dog on the Tuckerbox would later become.
Today, that spirit continues under the stewardship of General Manager Nicole Ciaccia and the current ownership. Nicole's focus on natural, locally made products reflects Annie's original intent, serving travellers, supporting the local community and showcasing regional producers, updated for a modern audience.
With Thieving Bastards wine, Apple Thief Cider, Australian Native Bush Co iced teas and energy drinks, and the Annie's Pantry range now sharing shelf space, the Dog on the Tuckerbox Kiosk and Farm Shop continues to evolve while staying true to its origins.
The Dog on the Tuckerbox Kiosk and Farm Shop will be open every day in April from 9am to 4pm, except Easter Sunday and Anzac Day.
About us:
Good food. Great stories. Even better company. We're creating a destination that brings mateship, memory-making and the spirit of Australiana to life. An unforgettable precinct where you can slow down, share a yarn, and enjoy the good stuff — with mates (two-legged or four). From fresh-baked bread to local produce and iconic souvenirs — our precinct will celebrate honest, homegrown flavour. A curated mix of eateries and retail experiences will offer something for every traveller, tourist and local alike. t's more than a pit stop — it's a place to taste, shop and stay awhile.
