DISCOVER
THE COFFEE
Quest WR I T T E N BY A L I S O N B O NE
The vibrant coffee culture of the Northern Rivers is driven by sustainable farming methods, boutique roasters and passionate brewers who aren’t afraid to do things a little differently. From the roastmaster (and Postmaster) of Uki to the coffee alchemist of Tyalgum, the Barefoot Roasters of Byron Bay, and the fragrant family-run coffee plantations and roasteries of the Byron hinterland, we take a scenic, caffeine-fuelled road trip to discover the coolest coffee experiences in the region.
DAY 1 Uki, Tyalgum We start our coffee quest in the lush Tweed hinterland and the historic village of Uki, set at the foot of Wollumbin (Mount Warning), where our destination is the enchanting, heritage-listed 1909 Post Office, which now doubles as Bastion Lane Espresso (bastionlane.com). “People said I was bonkers,” says Postmaster/ roastmaster Gary Wall, who bought the post office in 2017, restored it, installed a gleaming Dietrich (the Rolls Royce of roasters), and opened an espresso bar. It was an instant hit. His sublime Post Master’s Blend, ethically grown Colombian and El Salvadorian beans, is rich and chocolatey with hints of hazelnut and citrus fruit, perfect for a morning latte. Don’t do dairy? Pick up a bag of Alt Coffee at the counter. Specially roasted for use with plant-based milks, its smooth acidity means no more split almond milk! Heading northwest through picturesque hills, we come to Tyalgum, another historic village that piles on the charm. At its heart is the wonderful Flutterbies Cottage Cafe (flutterbies.com.au), gateway to a collection of artisanal boutique retailers set around leafy Tuscan gardens. Here we find Flutterbucks, the creation of Archaeus Adidam, who roasted on-site until the popularity of his signature Double or Nothing coffee necessitated a bigger roaster. We sink into a Chesterfield lounge and enjoy the convivial surroundings and the joy of a perfect cappuccino brewed in the state-of-the-art Slayer Coffee Machine, then select a bag of Superior Rush – a specialty blend of Guatemalan, Brazilian and Ethiopian beans – to brew at home before browsing the gift shops and eating delicious homemade cakes in the tea room at Flutterbies Cottage Cafe.
Roastmaster Gary Wall from Bastion Lane
12
LOCALEMAGAZINE.COM.AU
