Fulltime Vanlife - Girrakool National Park on the Central Coast, NSW, Australia

[@SeanC1959]

Great video/s Jason. They actually depict REAL van life with all of it's joys, nuances and downsides. Thanks again for these entertaining and inspiring videos, Sean.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Sean, always a pleasure and really appreciate yours and everyone else's feedback!😊

[@TempyBuilds]

Another great video full of wonderful views of waterfalls and the lovely trees , thank you so much for taking us with you on theses walks , they brighten my days

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks. That was certainly a beautiful walk! 😊

[@amandalee7783]

Seeing you like dumplings 🥟 I recommend a dumpling sauce you might like to try which you can get in the Asian Aisle in Woolies. Brand is “Weichuan” 190ml. Note there is a hot (red lid), and non hot bottle. Around $5 per bottle. Wish I can send you pic of the bottle. Not sure how here.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Sounds interesting. I'll have a look for it. I usually dip them in vinegar and Sichuan pepper oil, but can't hurt to try something different 😁

[@amandalee7783]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces you can even add it to your stir fry. Quite a versatile sauce base. So 😋

[@jcqrdw]

Now that we are into Sydney's winter and its been overcast & raining, how are you finding your battery level?, are you getting any anxiety of it not able to power your fridge and cooking? Or since you drive also everyday rather than staying in one place for a long time, it always gets top up from the driving regardless of the sun? During my car trip, I too do what you do and scope out areas to park for the night, its easier in larger towns and cities. I like going to small regional towns, and when its a town with few streets, my car becomes very obvious, maybe I'll do what you do, so long as it doesn't say no parking .. who cares .. 😅

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Battery capacity is certainly harder with all these cloudy days. Even the sunny days aren't overly good for solar input. Other than the time I was talking about in the video, it's generally not a problem as an hour or so if driving will give me enough to get through the day. I think in NSW at least, if there's no signs saying no camping, then your pretty ok to stay in your car, as long as you stay in the car and don't set out awnings and stuff. Some councils may be funny about it, but then they put up signs....

[@gold4leaf]

recently found your channel and subbed ... and going back thru your vids @3:00 you were literally 2 minutes from my place when you spun around the roundabput after going to the 4wd supercetnre, love your videos and commentary, cheers Garry

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Sounds like you live in a pretty good spot! Everywhere is so nice around there. Glad you're enjoying the videos, really appreciate the support 😊

[@MrKidbatz]

spears point park by the boat ramp. sleep there. its a very good spot for stealth camping (although even the rooftop tenters werent getting bothered)

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

I did see quite a few people there at the time but decided not to join them as the park was very busy. Probably better on a week day 😊

[@MrKidbatz]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces yes very busy park - after dark everybody leaves

[@abettermankind9761]

I left a comment about 8 or 10 videos ago mentioning you should visit Dead Horse Bay. It's just on the boat ramp side of Brooklyn and you enter this small track that starts behind the toilet block. Climb between the boulders to get onto the track and it will take you to the most beautiful beach you've ever seen. This is a secret location only some locals know about. Happy travels.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

I'll have to have a look. I did see the bay on the maps and thought about taking the kayak around to it, but walking might be better. Pretty open waters for my little kayak 😂

[@fatmanoverlanding]

It's been a looooong time since I've done the Pile Creek Loop, and it's so overgrown now from what I saw in this video. I think a bush fire came through the area some 3-4yrs prior to when I did it, so the area was relatively open (view wise) compared to what you saw. Impressed on how much of the natural fauna you actually know the name of. Me, apart from the more obvious ones like Wattle, Eucalyptus, etc. I only know their generic term (ie. fern, wild flowers etc).

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Yeah, there was certainly no shortage of plants there. It would have been good to actually see the view. Just shows how well the bush recovers. If there was a fire several years back, probably explains the lack of bigger trees.

[@ExplorationofAustralia]

Wow loving your channel. Im going to go back to the start and watch them through. Nice to see a van life in Australia (and not USA LOL) and in particular nsw. 👍

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thankyou very much! Great to have you following along 😊

[@tezzaskayakfishing]

P.S. the victron mppt charger maybe better for your solar and alternator charge. The apps are good too from the research I’ve been doing. Certainly worth you having a look at.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

It's a bit costly to swap over. Now I'm more aware of what's going on with mine, I can better manage it, albeit manually...🙄

[@tezzaskayakfishing]

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces yes basically have to pay a bit more than you already have to replace. At least you’re aware of what needs doing to manipulate things to work better. Come summer, spring even it won’t be such a problem.

[@heathershepherd6131]

Regarding your mppt charger, I have the same one. I’m not technically minded so I can’t explain it well but Les at LCA Offgrid, Singleton knows how to add something that negates that problem. Mine is now operating really well so give him a call. Hope this helps.

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Thanks Heather. I actually bought a new, more efficient inverter microwave. Uses way less power and does it more gently than the conventional microwave. Problem solved now 😁

[@tezzaskayakfishing]

Girrakool take two was definitely better than take one 😂😂. I’m assuming take one was Kings Birthday. Tuesdays are always better 🤙

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

Yeah, you're exactly right. I had no idea it was a public holiday 😂

[@Allison12338]

So many places around that you wouldn't know are even there. Incase you didn't know Bunnings has free WiFi. Can I ask why you decided to do the van life and is it going to be forever?

[@MakingStuffGoingPlaces]

I've just always had this lifestyle as a retirement plan. I decided to pull it ahead as I want to do all this stuff I'm doing now while I'm still fit enough to enjoy it. I do also plan to go live overseas...maybe Vietnam or Thailand, but that will be when I sell the van. Not sure when....