GOOD coffee can be hard to get at country events. Steve Alden and Renee Hatty are changing all that - one cappuccino at a time.
The pair own Bean Cruisin', a mobile coffee business that pops up at regional events such as polocrosse carnivals, rugby league grand finals, country race days, campdrafts, rural field days, motocross events and other gatherings where city-based coffee vans fear to tread.
At the heart of the operation is a converted 2009 Toyota Landcruiser GXL, complete with a slide-out barista station, fridge and barbecue.
Powering the precise needs of coffee drinkers is a Fracino Dual Fuel which runs on gas and electricity.
The vehicle, which was custom designed by the pair and built by Jack-Off Campers in Brisbane, is also their home, with a camper tent on top housing a comfortable queen-size bed. The business is the dream for many - being their own bosses and travelling the countryside, all the while invigorated with superb coffee.
While the menu presents the standard modern coffee fare such as lattes, long blacks, mochas and hot chocolate, they can also pump out frappes and milkshakes if required.
Steve and Renee declare they were four-wheel drive enthusiasts first, who became coffee baristas.
"When we started to design the camper, we did not have coffee in mind," Renee said. "Steve, myself and the two dogs were planning to travel Australia and see the sights.
"Steve built a trailer for the boat and the two motorbikes, and as I was researching water tanks and barbecues, sinks, et cetera, to go into the camper, I came across the Fracino Dual Fuel coffee machine which meant we could have good coffee when travelling remote.
"I then had to convince Steve to agree to the additional costs of a commercial coffee machine and grinder; it took me about three seconds. The idea of Bean Cruisin' quickly unfolded and the business was born."
The final confirmation of business self-sufficiency and dedication came with their personalised number plate - 'Keen As'. It's not unusual to see their rig carrying bikes, or towing a motorbike trailer or boat.
Word spread of Bean Cruisin's presence at the inaugural Northern Territory Field Days in Katherine in September, as a constant stream of people followed their noses to the aroma of a fresh brew. They said they enjoyed doing the rural events where country people would be.
When not getting to events throughout the country, Steve and Renee call Howard Springs, NT, home, where their 2-hectare (5-acre) property awaits them.
Steve and Renee have used their ability to go places other mobile coffee businesses can't to help out in times of need.
During the Victorian bushfires at Newmerella in February this year, they stationed themselves near hard-working fire crews to provide free coffee. "The firefighters across Australia and especially the volunteer guys risk their lives to protect our property and livelihood, so this is our way of saying thank you," Renee said.
They did the same for emergency workers during the 2013 Australia Day floods in the Bundaberg region.
"During our first week of business, we made no money as we gave away coffee to the volunteer bush firefighters who were assisting with the clean-up after the Australia Day floods in Bundaberg.
"We spent a week in Bundaberg giving away coffee to some very appreciative volunteers."
A photo on the Bean Cruisin' web page of a notepad scrawled with comments shows how gratefully received the hot beverages were by those on the frontlines of hardship.
"First decent coffee in five days," one firefighter wrote. "Thanks for the pick-me-up," wrote another.
The picture sits alongside others of crocodiles, snakes and stretches of beaches, showing off their adventures to date and reinforcing their slogan: "Great coffee where you least expect it".
The appreciation from coffee consumers is obvious by the thanks and compliments posted directly onto the business' Facebook page.
During the couple's 19 or so months on the road, they have sold coffee at motorbike events, rodeos, campdrafts, weekend sporting events, car club meetings, caravan parks and markets.
They kept the caffeine flowing at the Polocrosse Nationals in Darwin and the Polocrosse Junior Classic in Albury, and have been booked in for the nationals in Albury, NSW, in 2016. Their travels have seen them make coffee for high-profile Australian actors David Wenham and Jack Thompson at the Busselton Film Festival in WA.
"Other than selling coffee, we travelled through every state and territory including Fraser Island, Tasmania and Kangaroo Island, did a 1000km push-bike ride from Perth to Albany, and got engaged in November last year," Renee said.
And no, they probably won't be doing coffee at the reception.
