Fulltime Vanlife - Geelong and Melbourne

[@timheron1441]

Hi Jason, I stumbled across your channel about a week ago and have not been able to stop watching it. I love you Geelong and Surf Coast videos. I am an old Ocean Grove boy and i have spent a lot of time in Geelong over the years. Your NSW beach videos are great also, as someone who has traveled the Pacific Hwy many times over the years without stopping, I now have a idea of what I have been missing.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Tim, great to hear your enjoying the videos. Thanks for following along 😊

[@rmw250]

Memories of Melbourne when I lived in Mooney ponds. I really do miss Melbourne after watching your video. 👍

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

If only the weather was better 😁

[@taniayorgey]

That's a great camera. Zooming in to Williamstown was very cool. It's nice to know I'm not alone with parking experiences :). Thanks again for another great video.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Tania. I think most of us have similar experiences. Always a challenge 😁 I'm loving the new camera....might be too much zooming going on 😂

[@SeanC1959]

Catching up with this video Jason. Another good one. Those mountain bikes are the go for versatility. Definitely on the (post access to superannuation) list. Well done and thanks for another great video. Cheers, Sean.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Sean. Yes, certainly good to have a bike that can handle all types of terrain. Even when I've travelled overseas, having an MTB just gave that bit more flexibility.

[@Julia-lo5uq]

Another great video, Jason! Really enjoyed the sight seeing around Melbourne! Regarding free places to sleep. My husband and I appreciate just how tough it can be to find safe, free spots to stay overnight. Following your example, we plucjed up the courage and found a spot in South West Rocks, and later enjoyed the beautiful scenery by the Clarence River. On the way back from Qld, we tried the place you stopped in Nelson Bay, but a no-camping sign sent us to a van park which was closed. Glad it was, we ended up on a side street near Little Beach. Like you say, the key is not annoying the people around you, keep a low profile and only use the location to sleep. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Good on you both, Julia. If you do the right thing and don't hang around too long, then you can't get in too much trouble 😊 Sounds like you had a fair trip...covered some ground!

[@paullewandowski3643]

Happy I came across your channel. I visit my Dad in Drysdale a few time a month. I have noticed the odd Van and caravan at the Drysdale station and nearby Pony club grounds. Especially since the Spirit of Tasmania started leaving from Geelong. Both spots would be fine for overnight if you take your don’t bother anyone approach.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks for the tip off, Paul. Pony clubs are often a good spot to hide for a night 😊

[@paulineh4019]

Another interesting video Jason, Lots to see in Geelong. Dogs Rocks cool spot. Haha, you and your mate and your bikes, left your mark on that trail, hey 😄 It's good...scarey at times haha...to see the bike speedo. New camera is really clear, great zoom in shots and night shots. The first time those flames went off when I was standing near them...well let's say they frightened the heck outta me! 😄 And you shot, the walking neon birds...always get a kick out of seeing them. Hope the wind is kind to you, it's been absolutely wild along the South Coast, lost a tree in my yard and one across the road, no damage. Fuel will certainly eat into your budget at times, ahhh but what freedom! Oh and that automated container place, fascinating.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Pauline. Wind was a shocker over the last few days. Hope it settles down now. I love those little neon birds too 😂 Really happy with the new camera. Gives me a lot more flexibility to capture things that I struggled with before.😁

[@Len02013]

Thanks for the videos. Really enjoy the trips :) maybe something could try for a grey water, have a bucket/tub underneath the outlet then can move the water afterwards. I use a tub for wet wetsuit and is quite handy

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

I've used a tub to catch the grey water in the past. It is a little more convenient but it's one of those things....I just deal with my laziness of not installing a catch tank and put up with the hassle of parking somewhere appropriate 😂😂 Most the places I stop, there wouldn't be anywhere to empty a bucket. It's rare that I'm in a caravan park that has drains.

[@carlas967]

Enjoying your videos Jason. They really give a sense of the daily rhythm of vanlife which, for an aspiring vanlifer, is really informative. Wonderful cinematography too 😊

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks 😊 I try to keep them real, even the bad and boring bits 😁

[@JustOneKnight]

I wondered what a friend of mine ever saw in Geelong, why they bragged about it, but after they showed me around out of the city area I was enlightened. Very nice. Great Video.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks. Yeah, probably the best part about Geelong is that it doesn't take long to get out of it 😂 Lots of nice places close to the city.

[@phillroo7871]

I interesting, what is it about Geelong people do not want to visit or even make vids on KZbin, i follow many on YT, and especially when people are doing thr Tassy trip or going onto the Great Ocean Road, there doesnt seem to be a lot about yhe area of Geelong and coastal areas. Please enlighten me your thoughts? Thanks for the vids​@MakingStuffGoingPlaces

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

I think it just a stigma thing.... people probably see it as an old industrial town and never bother to explore further. Plenty of really nice spots and you don't need to travel far to feel like you're well out of suburbia.

[@phillroo7871]

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces thanks for your reply mate, I actually grew up in Corio and worked at Ford before moving over seas for a long period and now back but in Clifton Springs, like you I do a lot of travelling and in the end I still like coming home, yeah there are a lot of stigma around here but isn't there everywhere, just keep nose clean and common sence, there are many beautifully areas surrounding. Anyways enjoy your vids, stay safe, and who knows might meet up one day lol

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

I'll probably be back down that way again in summer 😁

[@pjmacbook]

Hi Jason If you have time going up east coast of NSW - MOGO trails!! The latest of the great regional xc/flow network being developed in NSW. I’m heading there on Sunday and looking fwd to it. (I’ve done Narooma this year too and they are fantastic also)

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

On my way now! Won't be missing Mogo. 😁

[@Mirtle_Tirtle]

Another great video - love the rocks, the views, the 2 bike tracks laid in wet cement 😂

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thank you. Some great views over the grassy hills there 😁

[@thejackjackgirl]

I liked your sound editing for the night in melbourne .... fountains and foot steps traffic

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks. Just all the sounds as they come....minus some of the louder people that passed by 😂

[@brendanhoffmann8402]

I'm preparing for takeoff to live in the outdoors. I'll buying a car, tent, tarps, batteries, solar. I'm going to test it in my backyard for a few months first. Set up camp and try to stay by the fire. Dipping into my super early so I can make it happen. Can't wait!

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

It will be well worth it! Get out and enjoy life 😁

[@joannewilson6847]

Thanks Jason, great video and interesting sightseeing.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Joanne ☺️

[@tonynicolaci3244]

congratulations on your new camera purchase. Me having GAS Gear Acquisition Syndrome, I always get excited when buying new camera equipment. I did notice on one of your previous video some flickering when filming indoors. I think in a laundry. Im not sure if you are aware of PAL and NTSC and frame rate settings for video. PAL in Australia at 25 or 50 FPS. I think this is correct but will probably be corrected. If you are aware, ignore my comments. Really look forward to your video's and really like you are consistent. Enjoy the beautiful South Coast of NSW.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

hahaha...GAS...I like that! I did notice the flickering in the laundromat when i started editing. That was the GoPro on 24 fps. Probably could have switched it to 30 fps....do you think that would have solved it? I keep the videos to 24 fps for KZbin....apparently it prefers that rate as a baseline and it also keep the file sizes a little more manageable. Most videos are around 15GB which is a bit to upload if I'm needing to use my own data.

[@tonynicolaci3244]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces On my Canon settings there is an option in Video System of PAL OR NTSC. Id be looking for that first. PAL in most countries. US uses NTSC. When using PAL you have frame rates of 25, 30, 50, 60 100 etc depending on camera. My DJI drone has more options than my Canon camera. NTSC options 23.98, 29.79, 59.94 etc. Not sure about Gopro settings. As far as I know it only effects internal filming with the flicker of the fluorescent tubes and watching videos directly on televisions as of different regional settings. If filming outside for KZbin I dont think it matters. Anyway im sure plenty of KZbin vids on best video setting to film and export.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Tony. Yes, KZbin recommendations is how I ended up at 24 fps or 23.98 actually. GoPro is NTSC I think with no PAL option. I'll have to have a play with it next time I see flickering.

[@user-fed-yum]

14:20 Your water will make its way to Mooney Ponds Creek right next to where you are. Home of Melbourne's original swamp based garbage dump and shanty town.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

😂 I'm not sure which water is cleaner... Seriously though, there was a catch area there for carpark runoff and since it was very dry at the time, the water would have been filtered by the plants they put there for the purpose.

[@sallyb1433]

Great video. The new camera looks great! It sucks they’re so strict about sleeping in your vehicle down there. I thought VIC had the same rules as NSW. I’m glad it’s much more relaxed up here. Dog rock looks beautiful. It’s fascinating how the shipping container things are all automated. I love your mate’s ’Ralpha’ shirt too lol. Looking forward to seeing where you end up on the East Coast!

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Sally!☺️ Even though the Vic rules are harder, I've only once had an encounter with a Ranger....he was just filling me in on the rules 😂 On my way east now. Hope the weather improves.

[@sallyb1433]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces yes hopefully you get some good weather. It’s actually hot here today, I’m wearing a summer dress for the first time in ages! I’ve been scoping out the South Coast around Shellharbour & Kiama because I want to do a trip there & have just found out you can free camp overnight at Nungarry rest area & it has toilets & undercover areas with tables. It is close to the freeway though so there might be a bit of noise. Might be worth having a look at if you’re needing to stop when you get to that area. Glad the ranger didn’t give you any trouble. I had my first experience of being moved on last weekend at Nelson Bay lol

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

@sallyb1433 Nungarry will be too noisy for me. I sleep light at the best of times. Where were you in Nelson Bay? Someone else said there were no camping signs in one of the spots they think I stayed in....they might be cracking down...

[@sallyb1433]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces we were there Friday & Saturday night. We went to the sporting field where I thought might be the place you went to & it had no camping signs & a gate that blocked half of the entry way. They must’ve just added the signs. I’d say they’ll get stricter as the weather gets warmer & the place gets busier.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

@sallyb1433 yeah....seems there's a lot of changes happening everywhere at the moment 😕 I've noticed new signs, long term people have gone....

[@unicorntravellers5103]

Really love the speedo while you're riding. Great fun to watch.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

😂 thanks. Took quite a few attempts to get it to work and seems very unreliable, but I'll try to include it when it works.

[@tonynicolaci3244]

I enjoyed the speedo as well. I believe you clicked 60ks for a second.

[@BillyBVogan]

Leaving pymble to go to Melbourne -gelong Apollo Bay in October this is super helpful - Strava at all ? I shall find these trails 😂

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

If it's not in Strava it didn't happen 😂 the heatmaps will give you good pointers.

[@ollien3359]

I just got back from a few days in Castlemaine - a gorgeous part of the world. I finally got to have a pedal at the Harcourt MTB trails - and found there is a (free?) campsite in the park! Have you been there yet? One thing to consider is that the area has become pretty wealthy, and shopping seemed to be pretty expensive.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Nice! Castlemaine has some fun trails. Yes, I've stayed in the Harcourt camp ground a few times now. So good being able to camp right next to the trails, isn't it! All those places that are potential day trips from Melbourne are quite expensive. Eaten in a few restaurants in Castlemaine some time ago and they were expensive back then.

[@BigOleKrum69]

Cool channel mate, glad i stumbled across this one, very calming to watch and interesting as well. keen to follow along the journey

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thank you very much! Great to have you joining in 😊

[@felipehoffmann5420]

Very disappointed because you didn't mention "the Brazilian vmax" and who was the vmax guy in that hill. 😂 Miss you guys and our rides!

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

😂😂 I missed that critical details! Your GoPro footage definitely looks better...going over 70km/h😁

[@stevenjohannesen88]

Another great Vlog, Geelong is very scenic if you know where to look, 👀, cheers from Downunder 🦘🦘🦘🇦🇺❤️

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Steven 😊

[@kimhannan6162]

Thanks for sharing all those places around Geelong , my family are from there,and l never knew all those water front spots, lm going check them out next time lm down that way.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Really nice along the waterfront. Follow the road up to Geelong Grammar too. That's the best spot.

[@tomcat7525]

I have the Pana HC-WXF1M, great zoom. You will be getting a tail wind today heading down the Princes Hwy. 👍

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Nice! The camera was on sale, so the next model up was about $400 more....it's working pretty good so far though. A lot more tail wind today but so much debris on the roads. Not a pleasant drive.

[@MandyJArt]

Geelong showgrounds quoted me something like $40 almost exactly a year ago when I rang them. Good to know about the dump point ;) I’ve still got a few days near Bairnsdale if u want a safe overnighter on 3 acres, the owners haven’t arrived back here yet!

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Prices may vary based on the time of years. I went through their website and it said 25 for one person. Thanks for the offer. Actually heading past today, but will keep ploughing on 😊

[@MICHELLE-gu2qc]

I hope you enjoyed Melbourne. The weather will be better on the coast. Your new video camera looks like a beauty. Very good quality. Do you feel differently when you are in the city compared to country quiet areas?

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

I'm definitely more relaxed in country areas. Always worried in the city that someone will get upset with you or the van will get vandalized....

[@denisemoody1177]

Thanks for the enjoyable vid, love seeing parts of the western suburbs that are unfamiliar, even though I live in Werribee. Have you checked out STH Werribee and a small place called Campbells Cove, quirky and interesting. Happy travels, 😊

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Yeah,been to both those places in the past. I really wanted to get some video of Avalon Beach but it was so grey and gloomy....plus I washed the van and it's a dirt road to get there 😂

[@CooeeAdventures]

Congrats on the new camera, lovely views from Dog Rocks. If you have time on your drive back there are 58km of new mtb tracks in Eden NSW - Gravity Eden Sapphire coast :)

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Was aiming for Eden today, but too tired. I'll definitely be checking it out tomorrow though 😁 Hoping the rain holds off!

[@CooeeAdventures]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Super windy today. Hope you have good weather 😃

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Yeah, wind is ridiculous! Not as bad today as mostly behind me. And now it's raining....but I'm still an hour away.

[@CooeeAdventures]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 100km winds and some bushfires breaking out up this way today

[@matthewjoeljordan7742]

Dude you should move to Canberra. There is a few vans down by Lake Ginenderra who have been living there permanatly as i have my lunch down there a few days a week and the same vans have been there in the same spot for well over the past few years. Same people, they dont bother anyone and ive never seen them be asked to move on. :)

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks for the tip. I'll check that spot out next time I'm there....just when it's warmer! 😁

[@kate-islandgirlcrafter]

Without disclosing your whereabouts, would I have caught a glimpse of a blue van near the Mitchell River in Bairnsdale today?

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

😂 certainly did! You weren't in a white van on the opposite side, were you?

[@kate-islandgirlcrafter]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces no we were just driving past on the way home from work and I saw a little glimpse of blue. Hope you had an undisturbed night, we have had some pretty hairy weather over the last few nights.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

@kate-islandgirlcrafter fortunately a bit quieter last night. Looks like it might settle down today.

[@gregbolitho9775]

Good vid. Not sure we got a City Council atm. Last I heard they went into recievorship and a bloke was runninig Geelong Not sure what you call him.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

😂😂 so more of the same then!😂 They certainly seems to be spending big on infrastructure, so no surprise they're going broke.

[@joyfill1295]

Hi Jason just came across to your channel,lovely Van you have.I’m thinking to sell my house 🏡 and do the same travelling around.Thanks for sharing 🌷❤️

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Sounds like an excellent plan!😁 Have you done any vanning before? It does have its tough times, but not too many of them 😊

[@joyfill1295]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Hi Jason I have done,3 months drive to the north Copper Peddy Kimberly Darwin and Broome down to Perth than travelled through Nullarbor. back to Melbourne was so good.I’m still thinking what I’m going to do by myself.☺️🌷💙

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

That's a fair trip! Sounds like you have a good idea of what to expect from long term van living. Just need to make it happen. 😁 Totally worth it👍

[@joyfill1295]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Hi Jason.Yes I do have good idea for all the travelling,the big trip to the Top End was amazing and adventurous. I’ve been travelling eve Europe and USA twice and cruise.The best was Western Australia 🇦🇺

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Cool. I need to get to WA one day.

[@BillyBVogan]

Hey m8 your side window blind looks like exactly what I need lol can you advise where you got from please

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

IKEA 😂 Hornvallmo...only 2 sizes though.

[@BillyBVogan]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces thanks m8

[@phatwongaming]

Do you use a mac or pc laptop to edit those clips with your new video camera?

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Hi Peter. Just a windows PC. Works fine for what I need. I even just use my Android phone with the Inshot app for some videos, but the compression can be a little high.

[@Rainy679]

They make it hard to be free. In Britain they making drivers pay per mile

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

More so in Australia, there are very few low cost options for campers either. Does make it hard!

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Nice camera - model?

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Found it in the description - Panasonic Lumix HC-VX1 - be sure to let us know more about it as you find your way around it Jason.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Still playing with it and getting the hang of it. Working well though so far!