How Van Life Started: A Short-Term Plan That Became a Way of Life

Van life was never meant to be forever. It wasn’t even meant to last long. We bought our van for $7,000—a simple setup with a bed and not much else. At the time, Craig was working in Ballina, and we had access to an industrial shed where we could work on the van. So, when we weren’t at our regular jobs, we were building out our home on wheels—while also living in it.

We weren’t alone, either—Maverick, our Hungarian Vizsla, was right there with us, adjusting to the rough setup as much as we were. There were days and nights when everything felt like a dream, and then there were the nights when we questioned our life choices.

The Early Struggles: Heat, Mosquitoes & Flooded Beds

One of the worst things about those first months was the heat. Steaming hot summer nights meant the mosquitoes were out in full force, but since we had no screens on the doors or windows, we were trapped—no air circulation, no fan, just us slowly melting inside the van.

Craig and I had a running disagreement:

• I wanted to leave the back doors open for some airflow.

• Craig was convinced we’d get mugged in our sleep.

• I argued that Maverick was our security guard and would sort out any trouble.

And then there was the rain. A torrential downpour would sometimes flood our bed, and we’d wake up cold, wet, and cursing our lack of waterproofing.

Free Camping & Finding Our Flow

Most nights, we free camped by the beach, which took some getting used to. Sleeping in random places, hoping we weren’t going to get a knock on the window at 3 AM, was a new kind of adventure. But the best part? Freedom.

We could wake up by the ocean every morning, smell the salt in the air, and go straight for a swim. That was the dream—the part that made all the challenges worth it.

The Build: A DIY Learning Curve

At first, the van was just a shell, and we had a lot of work to do before it felt like home. Craig and I did all the work ourselves, learning as we went. Some things came easy, others not so much.

Full kitchen setup—running hot water, gas burner, power outlets.
Insulation: heat control & noise reduction.
Hot & cold outdoor shower—because nothing beats a hot rinse after a cold ocean swim.
A king-sized bed (almost)—Maverick is a bed hog, so we had to make sure there was enough space for all three of us.
Storage everywhere—in a small space, everything has to have multiple uses.

One non-negotiable? Craig’s road bike. He wasn’t about to give up his cycling, so we had to raise our bed high enough to fit the bike underneath. It became his project, spending hours figuring out the best setup to keep it secure but easily accessible.

Lessons from Life on the Road

Living in a small space together teaches you patience and respect, whether you like it or not. There were plenty of debates about the fit-out, and as we lived in the van, we kept coming up with new ideas we wished we had thought of earlier. It became an ongoing project, constantly tweaking and adjusting things to make life easier.

Craig missed the security of a home and the space to spread out. I, on the other hand, thrived on the adventure, always looking for the next beach, the next sunrise, the next destination.

But no matter the challenges, one thing was certain—this was our journey, and it was one hell of a ride.

Now, let’s go for a swim. 🚐🌊