Forest Folk Coffee opens in Repentance Creek

A pink van in the midst of green forestry is striking enough but the bright colours are not the only point of difference for a new Byron endeavour.

A new pastel pink coffee van outside the Repentance Creek Hall is serving more than just coffee and cake, according to its owners.

Forest Folk Coffee is the brainchild of Upper Coopers Creek resident Jarrah Kurth and partner Jess Stevenson.

Musician Mr Kurth said the project came to life when the pandemic forced him to think outside the box.

“The last sort of year or so the gigs have been winding back a lot,” he said.

“Ever since moving to the area, we felt like would want something for the community, some kind of place people can come have a coffee and have a chat.”

The Byron Hinterland is renowned for its lush acreage and quiet atmosphere but Mr Kurth said that often comes at the cost of connection.

“So many people who live in the area and up in the hills, we don’t see each other often,” he said.

“These few weeks since we’ve been open I’ve met so many interesting people.

“Even Federal is becoming busy these days and it’s so nice to have this option for a quiet connection to nature where you can also stop and meet people you’ve never met before who live around the corner.

He said the van would also be well placed for the expected December 1 reopening of the nearby Minyon Falls precinct.

“It works for both visitors and the local community,” Mr Kurth said.

“We’re looking forward to when Minyon Falls National Park opens next month and we’re sure to get a lot more traffic and a lot more visitors.”

The precinct usually sees 250,000 visitors each year, according to a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman.

The upgrades were some of the “biggest ever”to national park infrastructure to cater for a growing audience.

“National parks throughout NSW have seen an increase in visitors during the pandemic,” the spokesman said.

“The Minyon Falls precinct is a key element of the Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project which is designed to create opportunities for high quality nature-based visitor experiences with better facilities to cater for a growing demand.”

Minyon Falls, located in Nightcap National Park, NSW. Picture: James Horan

Mr Kurth said his partner worked for years as a barista and among their delicious homemade brownies and bliss balls, Mr Kurth prided himself on their Sunshine Coast brew.

“I’ve learnt a lot about coffee these last six months setting up, I’ve sampled so many amazing coffees in the area,” he said.

“We’re focused on quality and a nice, smooth balance that pleases a lot of people.”

The van is located outside the Repentance Creek Hall and open 7am-1pm, Tuesday to Saturday.