In short:
Construction is about to begin on the long-awaited Doherty’s House Café in Tarneit, with original 1870s bluestone ruins forming the centrepiece of the $2 million development. The café is due to open in late 2026.
Bluestone Landmark to Welcome Visitors in 2026
An exciting new phase is underway for the Doherty’s House Café project in Tarneit, with construction officially set to begin in the coming weeks.
The café will be built around the preserved bluestone ruins of the 1870s-era Doherty’s House, which was largely destroyed by bushfires in 1969. The project will create a 50-seat café with a landscaped outdoor dining space and fenced garden, retaining the original bluestone walls and chimney as a tribute to the site’s past.
Wyndham City designated the site a protected heritage place in 2021, with preservation works commencing the following year. Now, with the construction contract awarded and plans finalised, the transformation is moving into its building stage.
Wyndham City is investing more than $2 million into the project, and The Riverside Group—known for its hospitality venues in Werribee—will operate the café once complete. Opening is expected by late 2026.
Mayor Cr Mia Shaw said the café would offer both a unique dining experience and a connection to Tarneit’s past. “This exciting project will breathe new life into Doherty’s House and is part of Council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing community spaces and local amenities,” she said.
Deputy Mayor and Wimba Ward Councillor Josh Gilligan welcomed the next step. “This transformation is an inspired way of turning this bluestone ruin into a functional space for families to enjoy,” he said. “I can’t wait to see the café come to life.”
