A mobile cafe that offers a mug exchange may be one of the quirkier food and beverage businesses to start under coronavirus restrictions.
The Hopiti Cafe operates from a beachside location in the Townsville suburb of Pallarenda several days a week.
As with many cafes, staff are currently not accepting keep cups to reduce the risk of transferring coronavirus to staff, but you can donate a ceramic mug and receive your beverage in a cleaned replacement.
"Essentially they bring in a mug and takeaway a different mug," said barista and co-owner, Ingrid Naschwitz.
"It is a way to cut down on disposable cups."
Ms Naschwitz says the mugs are collected in a basket outside the food service van, then thoroughly washed before being used to serve coffee.
"We ensure that they are cleaned at high temperatures and using the appropriate chemicals — dishwashing detergent and such," she said.
"Nothing goes in the van unless we have ensured its hygiene."
Encouraging customers to 'sit and enjoy'
The mobile cafe does still offer disposable cups to customers; Ms Naschwitz says it is mostly Pallarenda locals who are engaging with the idea of the mug exchange.
"It would be difficult to take a mug in the car, so it is more for drinking down at the beach," she said.
"It makes you sit and enjoy the environment more."
Pallarenda has no retail or food shops; its one fish and chip shop closed down many years ago.
Ms Naschwitz said judging by the enthusiasm of their customers a permanent food outlet would do well in the suburb.
"A lot of locals have mentioned the fish and chip shop in the past, and I don't think a permanent food business would go astray — I think it would do pretty well."
