Starting a Coffee Trailer in the Aussie Countryside: Q&A with HillSide Supply Co.
If you’ve ever dreamed of ditching city life and setting up your own mobile coffee trailer business in the countryside, this story is for you. We recently caught up with Chris and Nadia, a young couple with a passion for great coffee, comfort food, and ethical living. They're turning their dream into reality with HillSide Supply Co., a coffee caravan set in the scenic hills of Glenreagh, NSW.
Here’s their story—raw, real, and full of inspiration.
Q: What inspired you to start a coffee trailer business?
Chris: We’ve always dreamed of having a little café or coffee shop. But when we started looking at rental spaces, overheads, and staffing needs... it was just too much. So we thought—why not bring the coffee to the people instead?
Nadia: And we live out on the hillside now—so that’s where the name “HillSide Supply Co.” comes from. It gives us room to grow into more than just coffee too—like sandwiches, treats, maybe even events.
Q: How did you find your location?
Nadia: It was kind of an accident! We were originally looking along the coast—places like Arrawarra—but the prices were just too high. One day, while staying down here with our newborn, I stumbled across this block of land. We loved it and made an offer the very next day.
Q: Why a coffee trailer instead of a traditional café?
Chris: We didn’t want to get locked into the overheads and hours of a fixed café. With a mobile setup, we get the freedom to pop up on the side of the road or cater weddings and events. It’s more flexible and aligns with the lifestyle we want.
Nadia: Plus, we found an awesome company—Spitfire Caravans in Victoria—that builds vintage-style coffee vans. Ours is in production now, and it's going to look amazing.
Q: What’s the concept behind HillSide Supply Co.?
Nadia: It's all about comfort food and ethical coffee. We’ve gone from being full meat-eaters to mostly plant-based. So we want to serve raw treats, toasted sandwiches, and simple, feel-good food—done really well.
Chris: Not your average cheese toastie either—we’re talking high-quality bread, fresh ingredients, nothing out of a packet.
Q: Will your coffee be ethical and fair trade?
Nadia: 100%. We’re passionate about sourcing from ethical, fair trade suppliers. We’re currently researching roasters that align with our values—no additives, no artificial stuff.
Chris: We’re also big fans of alternative milks—macadamia milk, soy, oat... we want to cater to all coffee lovers.
Q: Have you worked in the coffee industry before?
Chris: Not professionally—but we’re big coffee drinkers! So we know what tastes good, and we’re learning the rest.
Nadia: That’s why it’s been great chatting with people like you who’ve got experience in setting up trailers. There’s so much to think about—workflow, power, refrigeration, council standards, all of it.
Q: What’s the plan once your trailer is ready?
Chris: We’re aiming to set up roadside during the week, then do weddings, small functions, and pop-up events. We’re not chasing every market or festival—we’re more about intentional placements and letting word-of-mouth grow the brand.
Nadia: We’ll also be getting our RSA certifications so we can do coffee and cocktails if the opportunity comes up!
Q: Tell us about those amazing treats we tasted!
Nadia: I made two raw desserts: one’s a peanut caramel chocolate slice—made with real nuts, coconut oil, and natural ingredients. No preservatives, just whole foods.
Chris: The other was a raspberry shortcake—coconut-heavy, super spongey. Healthy, but tastes like a treat!
Final Thoughts from the Team
It’s always inspiring to meet people like Chris and Nadia, who are taking a leap of faith to follow their passion. With a strong concept, ethical values, and a beautiful van in the works, we can’t wait to see HillSide Supply Co. on the road.
If you're thinking of starting a coffee trailer, caravan café, or mobile hospitality business, let us know in the comments below! Got questions? Want tips? We’re here to help.
📌 FAQs for Starting a Coffee Trailer Business
Q: Do I need council approval for a coffee trailer?
Yes, you’ll need to meet local council food and safety regulations. Custom-built trailers from companies like Spitfire Caravans can help ensure compliance.
Q: What’s the cost of setting up a coffee trailer in Australia?
It varies, but expect to spend anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 depending on fit-out, equipment, and branding.
Q: How long does it take to build a custom coffee van?
On average, about 16 weeks from chassis build to final fit-out.
💬 Ready to Start Your Own Coffee Trailer?
Drop your questions in the comments or reach out to us—we’d love to connect, give feedback, or share what we’ve learned from working in the industry.
