Along the poplar-lined Kosciuszko Road in the sleepy town of Berridale sits a little van with a big personality, Meet You Half Way. Located halfway between Cooma and Jindabyne, it’s more than just a great coffee stop. It’s a heartbeat for a growing community, a place to pause, chat, and recharge. Now with an adjoining dining space and art gallery, this modest van is making big moves thanks to Fen, and her dad, Martin.
Published May 4th Words and photos Mandy Lamont
A New Chapter, By Chance
Fen and partner Jason never thought they’d live in Berridale, but finding themselves priced out of their hometown of Jindabyne, the unexpected move revealed an opportunity. Fen spotted a gap in the market, and a dream began to take shape.
Brewing Coffee and Community in Berridale
With years of hospitality experience and a business-minded approach, Fen had always envisioned her own venture. Starting small seemed wise. “A coffee van felt less committal,” she says, laughing at the irony: “Running a van is way harder, it’s a logistical nightmare.”
From frozen pipes to storage issues and power challenges, it hasn’t been easy. But the commitment to quality never wavered.
“We source locally. Our pies come from Wild Ryes in Pambula. Our coffee’s from Redbrick, a small, ethical Canberra roastery.” Every cup, toastie, and muffin reflects their values, ethical sourcing and a refusal to cut corners.
Even the cups and plates are hand crafted by local potter Andrei Davidoff down the road at Feldmark Studios.
Enter Dad, the Artist
When the neighbouring shopfront became available, Fen saw the opportunity to extend the van’s offering. More storage, a place for people to sit out of the weather with a nice warm fireplace, and, unexpectedly, a canvas for her dad Martin’s long-dormant dream. martinbannisterart.com.au
Martin came to Jindabyne in the ‘90’s from Melbourne and has worked for all of the mountain resorts. He recently retired from Charlotte Pass, where he spent the last 15 years. He now loves living in Berridale where it’s warm and flat.
Studying fine arts at Prahran College, art has always been his passion but he’s avoided commercial art his entire career. Having every other job you can think of in the resorts “I’ve always liked being void of commercialism,” he says with a grin. “But I’m happy now—I’ve got my own little space.” And a very grateful Fen is happy to be able to help her dad realise his life long dream
The current exhibition called ‘Painting or Sculpture’ explores the line between mediums, using recycled materials and conceptual depth.
Martin is heavily into indigenous culture ”Art is a powerful thing. It isn’t wall décor. It has to be unique and have a story or it’s lacking.” Martin tells me. “You’ve got to take big risks. A lot of the time it goes back in the rubbish where I got it from, but at least occasionally you really come across something and go wow, where did that come from?”
A Dynamic Duo
The father-daughter relationship is full of colourful banter that energises the space and the staff love it. “You’ve got to have a laugh. Nothing’s that serious,” Martin adds.
Together, the father daughter duo are crafting a hub unlike anything else in the region. A space for great coffee, genuine connection, creativity and culture, something that is lacking in the region.
Looking Forward
As Meet You Half Way approaches its third birthday in June 2025, it’s clear the van has grown into something far more than its humble beginnings. “It’s all about creating a vibe and it’s got a life of it’s own now,” Fen reflects.
And the next chapter? It’s brewing. Plans for a liquor license, events, street food, and even possible creative workshops are in the pipelines. “I want to offer what I’d want as a local,” Fen says.
“There’s still some red tape to get through, but we’ve got the opportunity to build something truly unique,” Martin adds. “And who knows what she’ll come up with, she’s very clever.” Watch this space!
Finding Balance
With the business finding it’s feet, Fen is now able to take time off and getting gravel bikes recently, Fen and Jason did some bike packing on the Great Ocean Road. “I like getting outside, but I’m not extreme. Gravel riding is something we can do together since I’m not a mountain biker, and there’s heaps of great gravel riding around Berridale!”
This winter Fen is looking forward to actually having weekends off and spending them with Jason in the mountains. “I’m a social skier, I’ll do a few morning laps, have a coffee kind of skier.” she tells me laughing.
From the Mountains, With Love
Meet You Half Way isn’t just halfway between two towns—it’s halfway between coffee and community, art and authenticity, past and future. In a place that sometimes feels like a cultural void, this little corner of Berridale offers something vibrant, real, and entirely unique. halfwaycoffee.com.au
See more of the best cafes in the Snowy Mountains here
