Solo van life - what its really like | Vanlife Australia | Solo Female Van Life

[@elainedunn9539]

So nice to see an Aussie couple creating content for Australian's! Thanks for your tips on staying safe, and for bringing us along with you 💝

[@nigelandsueadventures]

You’re so welcome! Thanks for watching. We always say if we can help or inspire just one other person we are happy. 🧡

[@1999nathanule]

it is awesome isn't it.

[@ellisjudson6162]

I enjoyed this episode. I had a house in Hepburn Springs/ Daylesford and went up there every weekend. There are some lovely walks in this area. Sold that house, and moved to Tassie, then bought a van 🚐 We have much in common: I like solo travelling in the van and have always been content my own company. In many ways I prefer travelling myself rather than going away with my husband - mainly because I enjoy my independence - oh and he snores 😴 and keeps me awake!

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Oh gosh, thank goodness Nigel doesn't snore (unless he's had too many drinks haha). I like that I have the best of both worlds with him working 6 weeks on, 6 off. Having said that, I am looking forward to when he retires!

[@StephenandSusan6557]

I’m glad you can make the most of the time when Nigel is away. It seems that you also have work that you love which gives you a sense of purpose.

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Yeah I love being able to share our experiences and hopefully inspire others to get out there!

[@glynnjarrett4220]

Great drone shots 🙂

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Thanks! We are drone-less at the moment, can’t wait to get a new one.

[@jeanie7369]

Love watching your videos, you keep it real. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Thanks for watching Jeanie, glad you’re enjoying them!

[@markmangion454]

I think I know that steep track. Coming out of the Lerderderg river. Done it a few times and each time I swear it’s my last…😀

[@nigelandsueadventures]

You know the one!! I did it twice in two weeks. Nearly killed me both times. Hope you enjoy next weeks video then.

[@markmangion454]

I am sure I will 🙂.

[@MyVanlifeChronicles]

I am so glad I found your channel. I watch the one you did three days ago for solo vanlife. What it’s really like. It was totally spot on. Hope to meet you down the road at some point.

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Welcome aboard! And thanks for watching. Which way are you heading?

[@hankcuccina5260]

I know that she is an Australian because she says 'wader' instead of water, great accent.

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Haha thanks mate!!

[@MoonRiverTravels]

Absolutely loved this video. Was so nice to see my old stomping grounds 😅 Mt Buninyong has an incredible view across the Central Highlands, and you can go up the fire tower! Well worth the drive/climb if you're near Ballarat. ❤

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Oh wow! I grew up in Bacchus Marsh so I know all this area fairly well.

[@campingaustralia6698]

❤ your content keep on keeping on.❤ Cheers Tim and Trish

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Cheers guys, thanks for being here. Have a great Sunday 😊

[@dani_merlin147]

I can relate to all of it. Love my van life too.

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Isn’t it just the best? Thanks for watching 🧡

[@geoffwilson7774]

Not a bad way to spend your time I reckon, good on ya for doing it your way. Be interesting to see a bit of your work Nigle, must be a great career flying. Safe travels guys

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Cheers Geoff. They are pretty “security conscious” where Nigel is flying, so not sure we will get that video!

[@peterhewitson71]

As always a great video , currently on the road myself with my wife we are in Menzies WA 38 celcius tomorrow , so enjoy your cooler weather 😂😅😅

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Oh wow that’s warm!! We have just left Mt Gambier SA and it’s still only about 14degrees here!

[@dianne3891]

Hey Sue.. another great video ! You are such a natural and present them so well. We have been watching yours from the beginning. We look forward to Sundays😁 Finally we have left on our big lap or 2 so just getting into the rhythm of it all. We are currently at Ball Beach Camp Ground thanks to your recommendation. Hope to see you on the road! Safe travels! Di and Troy 😃

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Awwww that’s so lovely to hear DI and Troy. We are so excited for you! Which way are you heading? We just heard from our friend Shauna who used to be the camp host there, she has moved on to the Daintree (lucky her!) Hope we bump into you somewhere. Thanks for watching 🧡

[@dianne3891]

Thank you we are pretty excited too! 😁 We have just arrived at Airlie Beach today. We are surprised how booked out the parks are. We are heading north then maybe down the centre. Lucky Shauna ..haven’t been to the Daintree before but looking forward to it. We’d love to catch up along the way! Di and Troy 😀

[@nigelandsueadventures]

@@dianne3891 I bet it’s getting lovely and warm up there! We will be down in the south of the country till around March.

[@dianne3891]

Surprisingly it’s not too bad at the moment 27 deg. I’m sure it’s going to warm up though. We’re thinking we’ll head down the middle after Cairns area to avoid the wet season/extreme heat January February. Then maybe back up the west coast for winter. 😀

[@paulaportelli1499]

Hey Sue, if you want to come to Gippsland you can free camp on our farm. Happy to have you.

[@nigelandsueadventures]

That’s so kind, thank you so much for the offer 🧡

[@Megan7088-6]

Good morning Sue, I love that idea a house on wheels, no mortgage, no rent, no rates to pay, nice size to clean, don't have to mow lawns do garden's, just make sure the battery is charged, petrol, water, food, drink and great tip on parking incase ya need a quick escape and the best view's wherever you park up but the best is having Nigel back with you "welcome home Nigel" enjoy your days you two and see you in your next vlog ✌🏽

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Cheers Meg! With the housing crisis and high cost of living it’s definitely a cheap way to live. Except when we travel and have a big fuel bill!! Thanks for watching 🧡

[@S11-h5l]

Hi Sue and Nigel, great video again, don't envy you down south in the cold 🥶 I'm up in FNQ in the Daintree 🌴 bloody beautiful 😊 Welcome home Nigel, I worked in Saudia back in the mid 80s in a town up north Tabuk in the Dental Clinic of the hospital for 2 years, as you can imagine it was very "interesting" to say the least 😅 Inshala! Where were you?

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Oh I’m so jealous! Love the Daintree. Nige was mainly in Riyadh this tour, but should be heading up north when he goes back.

[@VanventureswithKaia]

I love 💕 camping at the Green lake free camp in Ararat too

[@nigelandsueadventures]

It’s so nice! I’ll be back there again soon

[@aussiequest9543]

Love that area and dalsford

[@nigelandsueadventures]

It’s so nice isn’t it? Thanks for watching!

[@ianm5249]

Hi Sue, just found your channel and subscribed. You have probably already thought of this, but I was wondering, why you don't use portable solar panels or a solar blanket when you park in the shade or for the low winter sun?

[@nigelandsueadventures]

That’s a good question Ian. The reality is, we’ve been living in the van for almost 3 years and have never needed it. It’s only now in Victoria it sometimes becomes an issue (and because while Nigel is away I’m not driving as much). Definitely something to consider though (if we can find somewhere in the garage to store it!!) Thanks for watching and subbing, hope you enjoy the journey 😊

[@michaelsecomb4115]

You might want to consider buying a folding solar panel to supplement your fixed solar when stopped for several days. That toilet canistrr is rather small compared with ours. Have you considered buying a second canister? We were surprised at the number of people living fulltime on the road during our recent trip around western Qld. One couple had been travelling for 9 years after selling a business and had no plans to stop. Others were travelling for work. Maybe the obsession with 'The Australian Dream' of a big house in the suburbs is being squeezed by economic reality.

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Hey Michael, Yeah a portable panel would be good. This is the first (and last) winter we will spend in the van in the south of the country. The last two winters we spent in Qld and the NT and our battery never dropped below 70%. Is your toilet a composting toilet? That separates pee and poo? We find the 10L pee jug plenty but enough as there’s no chemicals or anything else in there. And yeah you’re might be onto something there about the dissolution of the great Aussie dream of home ownership! Thanks for watching!

[@angelanurton6349]

😊 Perhaps you can share your van workout please Sue. 😊

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Great idea! I’ll put it in an upcoming video for you.

[@mangotree2110]

Mt Franklin camp ground has no water ? 😳

[@nigelandsueadventures]

There’s a tank of rainwater there, collected from the roof of the toilets, but that’s it. I like to leave that for tent campers and those living in cars who don’t have a water tank like I do (110 litres)

[@rosemaryshepherdsmith5110]

N, what make is your all wheel drive van?

[@nigelandsueadventures]

It’s a 2011 Mercedes Sprinter 4x4. It has hi and low range, so a bit more than an AWD. Mercedes aren’t making the 4x4 for Australia any more, only AWD

[@SuperDonald64]

Whats your budget like?

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Very up and down!! We spend a lot more when Nigel is here and we’re travelling, I’m quite frugal on my own as I don’t travel far. Fuel is usually the biggest cost. We will probably do a video in it in the next few months

[@StephenandSusan6557]

Re people who have to live out of a van or car, one of our coastal councils apologised for issuing move on notices to people actually living in their vans. They wanted to get rid of travellers, but have a different approach to people who can’t afford housing. They try to make sure they put them in touch with organisations that can help them. This seems such a sane approach, rather than demonising all people living in vans and cars.

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Wow that’s nice of the council. I can think of a few who certainly wouldn’t do that!

[@mangotree2110]

That's not condensation, it's frost

[@beyondher]

This is what van life is like for the 1% of Aussies who can afford a van like yours.

[@philliproberts7294]

Your right about how many people have no choice i walk a lot and there is heaps in cars tents and under bridges ans some are mine and your age lucky country no more im watching this video because if my wife died i wouldn't be able to pay the rent so I'd be living in a car or van nice van you have

[@nigelandsueadventures]

It’s only getting worse too, in the last 6 months since we published this video I’m seeing even more people living in cars and tents. Very sad. All the best to you.

[@davidbailey4533]

Don't be paranoid nothing's going to happen.

[@nigelandsueadventures]

Definitely not paranoid! Thanks for watching 😊