LIFE ON THE ROAD
Doing a Big Lap of Australia often involves calling a campervan or caravan home for a while. Here, we get some tips and hacks to living life on four wheels from those behind the hugely successful vanlifediaries.com (and now book ).
MUST-DO DEVIATIONS
While sticking to the edges of the continent will offer up enough experiences to fill a lifetime of memories, when you’re in the vicinity it would be crazy not to take the time for a few choice side trips and pit stops along the way. May we suggest…
KAKADU NATIONAL PARK Detour off the Stuart Highway and head to this natural wonder; turn to page 72 for all the reason you will need.
ULURU Head in the opposite direction from Kakadu down the Stuart Highway and pass through another side-trip worthy destination – Alice Springs – to reach Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (along the Lasseter Highway).
THE GIBB RIVER ROAD The ultimate Kimberley experience will take you off Highway 1 after Kununurra – you need your wits about you to drive this, as well as a pretty sturdy 4WD, so do your research on this one.
CAPE YORK Getting to the tip of the country can be challenging, but there are easier options than taking the unsealed Old Telegraph Road; do your research and plan your route before you head off. And while it might seem like the middle of nowhere, according to tropicalnorthqueensland. org.au, the longest distance between petrol bowsers is 140 kilometres.
THE WHITSUNDAYS Because every mammoth journey requires a little R&R along the way, and with islands like Hamilton and the newly reborn Hayman (see page 58) we have world-class retreats in which to get some.
KANGAROO ISLAND Head down from Adelaide by road – or opt to fly in – to experience the kind of unspoilt nature, fabulous food, ample koalas and luxury lodgings (spend a night or two at Southern Ocean Lodge – you won’t regret it) that this gem is famed for.
THE GRAMPIANS While you definitely shouldn’t miss a bit of the Great Ocean Road (see why on page 100), a side trip to the Grampians is one of the headline destinations in Victoria for its dramatic, wide open spaces alone.
LAKE EYRE If you don’t have the time to drive up to William Creek (with its handful of inhabitants), take a flight over Lake Eyre instead: Arid Air does scenic flights out of Port Augusta (aridair.com.au). Jonny Dustow, co-founder of vanlifediaries.
com, and van-living musician, has been living in vans for seven years now.
• Having a hot shower option when living full-time or par t-time in a van is a big thing for me that makes it feel more like a home.
• Look for free camp options in nature as often as you can. I love the van lifestyle of travelling and exploring Australia as it cuts down on accommodation costs. I always have all the gear I need with me, and, most importantly, I have my bed with me wherever I go!
• If you are in a city or town and you want to free park for the night, find a safe place to park, don’t be loud and bother those with homes, leave early and don’t leave rubbish or clean your teeth on their sidewalk.
• Start conversations with fellow travellers along the way to build community and find out about the best waterfalls, beaches, lakes and walks from them, and from the locals too. I enjoy having conversations with the local community, raising awareness about our conscious van-living community who care about nature and people and want to have a minimal impact on the places they enjoy.
Jared Melrose, co-founder of vanlifediaries.
com, lives in his van full-time in Victoria with his partner Ashleigh.
• Being light packers, we buy 90 per cent of our essentials from thrift stores, [from] bedding to kitchenware, and additional clothes depending on the season. Generally we will take one jumper, a jacket and, if it’s colder than expected, buy another one there.
• Unpacking and ‘moving in’ to the van is like coming home.When everything has its place and I am not digging through my suitcase like a madman, I can immediately absorb experiences faster and feel more present and relaxed.
• Travelling in a van is for those open to change. You can journey at your own pace, savouring experiences with the people you cherish, or seek a different path, creating a once-in-a-lifetime trip of your own design.
Kathleen Morton, co-founder of vanlifediaries.com and founder of
tinyhousetinyfootprint.com, began ‘living small’ in a 1969 camper trailer in 2014.
• When looking for an adventure vehicle, ask yourself what kind of adventure you want to go on.You might already own a car or truck that can take you where you need to go, and you might be able to build it out for the type of trip you’re looking to go on. Also, don’t underestimate smaller rigs. It’s been nice travelling in a van like the older Toyota ones because I use my outdoor space as an extension of my living space.
• Attend [traveller] gatherings or meet-ups if they are close by or on your route. It can be quite lonely travelling around in a van and it’s nice to find like-minded people to be able to share conversations and meals with.
• Take periods of rest; travelling can be tiring on the body. Find areas where you can camp for more than a few days, whether that’s national parks or a friend’s backyard. Every so often, it’s nice to take a hot shower, do a load of laundry and clean out your rig.
Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom on the Open Road by Kathleen Morton, Jonny Dustow and Jared Melrose (Hardie Grant, $39.99) is available now.