Indonesian-inspired taco van Balian moves into bigger shopfront on Magnetic Island

Following the success of their beachfront taco van, a Magnetic Island couple have moved into a shop with the hope to grow their business and continue receiving support from the community.

Magnetic Island locals Barry Hooker and Sue Harber have expanded their popular Indonesian taco van into a shop at Arcadia.

Following the success of their beachfront taco van, a Magnetic Island couple have moved into a brick and mortar shop with the hope to grow their business and continue receiving support from the community.

Barry Hooker and Sue Harber first began their Indonesian-inspired taco van Balian in October 2023, quickly becoming a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

The business has now transformed, with a new physical shop and new name, Magnetic Island Beach Bums, to fit the relaxed vibe of the island and consider the ‘Aussie’ food items such as burgers, fish and chips while still serving up Indonesian-inspired tacos.

Magnetic Island locals Barry Hooker and Sue Harber have expanded their popular Indonesian taco van into a shop at Arcadia.

“The taco van was named Balian, after a surf break in Bali,” Mr Hooker said.

“A lot of people didn’t call us that, they just called us ‘The Taco Van’, they called my wife and I ‘Mr and Mrs Taco’. We had a lot of discussions over what to call the new shop but decided on a name that fits well with our vibe and the vibe of Maggie.”

The couple, who moved to the island four years ago, are originally from Victoria and fell in love with the tropical paradise and decided to move up North.

Magnetic Island locals Barry Hooker and Sue Harber have expanded their popular Indonesian taco van into a shop at Arcadia.

With their popularity growing since opening their van, the couple began to outgrow their small space and decided to move into the premises of the former cafe, Baked on Maggie, in Arcadia which shut down last year.

Operating on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the van faced limitations including capacity for stock, hot weather conditions and limited space.

“It used to take us an hour to set up and an hour to pack up, because we would put up lights,” Mr Hooker said.

Magnetic Island locals Barry Hooker and Sue Harber have expanded their popular Indonesian taco van into a shop at Arcadia.

“We only had three tables and six chairs, plus the council seats. We started getting really popular and our clientele just kept growing. “

Mr Hooker said the taco van became so popular that it was common for the couple to run out of certain items, such as beef, pork and chicken on busy nights, with the outdoor conditions also playing a factor in the decision to move into the shop.

“Being summer time, it was getting really hot in the van and then we had a night where we were being attacked by bugs,” he said.

Magnetic Island locals Barry Hooker and Sue Harber have expanded their popular Indonesian taco van into a shop at Arcadia.

Offering burgers and other hot items during the day and tacos at night at their new store, the couple also have plans to introduce breakfast and alcohol options in the future.

“It’s just me and my wife at the moment, if we can get the following to continue it may give us the opportunity to hire more people,” he said.

Magnetic Island locals Barry and Sue with their former food van Balian.

Since opening the new store just before Christmas Mr Hooker said the space has been working well, with lots of outdoor seating out the back.

“We still have people coming in to get takeaway, but then we also have people coming and sitting down which is great, we are also taking phone orders too now that we have more space,” he said.

Magnetic Island Beach Bums is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm to 9pm at Shop 2/5 Bright Ave, Arcadia.

For more information check out the Balian Facebook page.

Originally published as Indonesian-inspired taco van Balian moves into bigger shopfront on Magnetic Island