Lake Dunstan trail’s floating hospo outlets up for sale

10th July 2023 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker

The unique floating coffee and burger stop on the popular Lake Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail is up for sale.

*Coffee Afloat and Burger Afloat on the 58km Lake Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail. Image: Supplied*

Richard and Jolanda Foale have put their Coffee Afloat and Burger Afloat business up for sale, after launching the coffee venture two years ago when the trail opened. Burger Afloat soon followed and went on to win awards in Central Otago’s Eat.Taste.Central event.

The $7m, 58km Lake Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail between the Cromwell Heritage Precinct and Clyde Historic Village was officially opened in May 2021 and attracted more than 80,000 people during its first year.

Coffee Afloat was “an immediate hit, with baristas serving 200-plus cyclists on most days,” said
Steven Kirk of Bayleys.

“The coffee and burger boats offer barista coffee, fresh baking, award-winning burgers, waffles and bacon butties, using local suppliers wherever possible,” Kirk said.

“Sustainability is a major feature. On-boat services are powered by rooftop solar panels, coffee is served in compostable cups and recycling is part and parcel of business practices.”

The Foale’s also opened a Coffee Afloat outlet at Frankton Marina in Queenstown, catering to marina users, passers-by and tourists.

The business employs around 10 seasonal part-time staff across both the Lake Dunstan and Frankton Marina locations.

Bayleys said the mobile nature of the boats presented options “for a new owner to further grow the operation, for example by utilising different lakeside sites to service functions and summer events, which are ever popular in this area”.