If you’ve been on social media in the last five years, you’d be mistaken for thinking that van life is just one breathtakingly scenic adventure after another. Social media is awash with Gen Z’s and Millennials who have ditched exorbitant rent, and long, soul-sucking commutes to fluorescently lit offices in favour of life on the road, the promise of adventure, and an all-encompassing sense of freedom. And when van life in Australia can mean waking up next to stunning waterfalls and beautiful, secluded beaches, who can blame them?
Thanks to the internet, more young people are embracing a work-life balance that allows them to escape the rat race, without sacrificing their income. They can do a few hours of work on their laptops before hitting the road in search of the next Insta-worthy location. They make it look so effortless!
So, is it time you bought and converted a courier van, filled it with the bare necessities for life and hit the dusty road in search of exotic locations? You may want to pump the brakes and consider all your options before you list all your worldly possessions on Marketplace and drive off into the distance.
Van Life Drama? What Drama?
Whilst the Van Life Australia movement is growing in popularity, the nomadic lifestyle is not without its challenges. What the carefully curated images hashtagged #vanlife or #aussieroadtrip generally don’t show is how difficult it can be to manage water and power, particularly in remote locations. There are also inherent risks involved with DIY van conversions, or purchasing a second-hand van that hasn’t been converted by professionals.
The 2019 Van and Bus Life Survey conducted by Nomads Around Australia revealed that 1 in 3 people spend less than $2000 converting their rig, and 58% of them did it in less than 6 months. Whilst the risks posed by driving and sleeping in a van with electrics and gas that haven’t been installed by qualified tradesmen are obvious, there are other less-known reasons why travelling in a converted van may be the cheapest option but isn’t necessarily the safest one. Converting a van on your own can lead to dangerous weight distributions and accidents if you don’t know what you are doing. Old vans are also more prone to mechanical problems and frequent breakdowns – and if repairs at the nearest mechanic are required, you’ll be out of pocket AND looking for alternative accommodation until it’s fixed.
It’s also worth considering that the average courier van, or worse, school bus, isn’t designed to take the road less travelled. They are intended to stop and start regularly, and to drive and park in city streets, not tackle rugged terrain and harsh Australian conditions.
Van Life for Grownups
Making every inch of living space count and spending every single waking hour with your life partner is one thing, but not having a shower, a toilet, running water and a reliable power supply is a whole different lifestyle choice. Don’t get us wrong. Van life is the bomb…if you’ve got the right van to do it in. Put it this way – waking up on a beach, in a forest, or overlooking a lush valley sounds magical, but if you’re not a disenchanted Gen Z with a sizable Instagram following, van life might just be uncomfortable and cramped!
So, instead of embarking on your next adventure in a converted van that requires the grace and mobility of an Olympic gymnast to move around in, hit the tarmac in style with all the comforts of home you’ve become accustomed to. Set yourself up for success with an off road camper that has been designed and built for van life in Australia!
