The boating barista who brings coffee to Sydney Harbour’s rich and powerful

For two decades, barista Garry White has cruised Middle Harbour on his boat making coffee for sailors, swimmers, kayakers, beachgoers and nudists. He’s often told he has Sydney’s best job.

“A lot of people say that to me,” Mr White says. “My usual reply is you would make far more money in your day job – because they’re sitting on a $500,000 boat or something.”

The boatman of middle harbour – Garry White has been serving coffees and drinks and snacks to the communities on the water and the hard to reach beachies for decades.
The boatman of middle harbour – Garry White has been serving coffees and drinks and snacks to the communities on the water and the hard to reach beachies for decades. CREDIT:STEVEN SIEWERT

He serves everyone, from the owners of tiny tinnies to massive motor yachts, and over the years he’s come to know his regulars very well indeed – or at least their caffeine habits.