The Reality of VAN LIFE in Australia - What THEY don't tell YOU

Рет қаралды 4,293

3 ай бұрын

Welcome back to Carl Travels! In today's video, I'm diving deep into the world of van life. Ever wondered if it's really as amazing as it looks on social media? Well, get ready for some real talk from yours truly.
During the peak of the COVID period in 2020/21, I found myself caught up in the allure of van life while living in far north Queensland. But let me tell you, it wasn't all picture-perfect beaches and glamorous adventures like you see on Instagram.
From breakdowns in the middle of nowhere to the struggle of finding legal parking spots, I've experienced it all during my travels around Australia in three different vans. And let me tell you, the reality of van life is far from what influencers make it out to be.
In this video, I'll share the good, the bad, and the downright dirty aspects of van life that nobody talks about. From the challenges of finding showers and toilets to the steep costs of fuel and maintenance, I'll give you the full scoop.
So before you dive headfirst into the van life dream, join me as I debunk the myths and shed some light on the realities of life on the road. And if you find this video helpful, don't forget to hit that like button, subscribe to my channel, and share your own van life adventures in the comments below!

Пікірлер: 34

@1WHATSUP1 28 күн бұрын

My idea of traveling is to go where other people ARE NOT.

@CarlTravels 28 күн бұрын

Try Greenland.

@jim-se5xc 16 күн бұрын

The best time to travel up north is summer. its deserted.

@robertwilson1827 10 күн бұрын

😅😅😅 @@CarlTravels

@priscillacatania8275 Күн бұрын

There are heaps of portable toilets now . Yeah U need a decent camper. Very expensive It's my wish to travel. We struggle to get good parking our hire van was so big. Hard to park we went on goggle maps and found some spots. Nothing that we could stay to long

@priscillacatania8275 Күн бұрын

Yeah portable toilets are good. I got bitten so bad in Cairns. My 2 legs had marks everywhere.

@oldbloke204 3 ай бұрын

Yeah good take on it all imo. I've never understood the fascination with it tbh as the compromises are really pretty obvious if you even think about it at all. It's no surprise either that councils or whatever don't offer free camping very often as it would likely end up as a complete dogs breakfast in no time. Having to supply facilities or pick up rubbish etc would be never ending. I've stayed at campsites that were fairly remote and the amount of crap that grubs leave behind or the damage they do is quite confronting sometimes. Also if you were living in a popular tourist area, we do, and you're paying a lot in rates or to purchase a place about the last thing you would want is a heap of vans with people living in them lined up out the front.

@beyondher 2 ай бұрын

Yes but only a few people are disrespecting the places, and then everyone else gets cancelled. It's not fair when most van-lifers literally can't afford to purchase a home and many are women escaping from domestic violence. Majority of Australian home owners lack empathy.

@oldbloke204 2 ай бұрын

@@beyondher Maybe so but then the onus should be on Govt. or other bodies to fix the problem or provide areas to camp safely and hygienically and not on homeowners or local councils. There are plenty trying to travel around on the cheap and just get what they can for nothing as well. The problem is that if you let a few do it then it becomes a never ending issue for those who live around the same area imo. We've likely donated a lot more than many to those less fortunate but it doesn't mean I want our quality of life compromised by others. Sorry.

@jackryan2135 2 ай бұрын

I love Vanlife in Aus, get to live in the most expensive suburbs of Melbourne. Saving about $600 a week. A nice big stealth Van is kinda a must however, mine has cost me close to $55k. But with only 120,000km on the clock im hoping it lasts 10 years. Moving up to Sydney soon for better weather. :)

@stevejjon2010 3 ай бұрын

I actually bought a Ford Transit Custom in 2021. It was metallic blue. It was a hassle to drive though as they only come in manual gear. I also used to worry about people scratching it etc. I was always worried about being able to parking it places or not, although it does have an excellent parking help system. There's no camping just about everywhere on "public" land it seems. Councils are really quick to ban just about everything with a sign. I sold the van within a year.

@CarlTravels 3 ай бұрын

Australia always taking the fun out of everything with regulations and rules.

@beyondher 2 ай бұрын

You just ignore those signs. Chances are they won't fine you. You might get the occasional fine. It's worth it to be living on the beach full time.

@tonyneal4716 Ай бұрын

The fun police are coming after campervans.

@robertwilson1827 10 күн бұрын

Woke, part of the agenda! @CarlTravels

@priscillacatania8275 Күн бұрын

Especially in Cairns. We risk it I couldn't sleep at night. Was scared hahahah.

@CarlTravels Күн бұрын

id be scared too. chances of your car getting stolen are very high.

@kiwizz2177 14 күн бұрын

MG , what a DH !

@lowrider075 8 күн бұрын

Have you heard of Wikicamps......also, portable showers.....maybe, instead of telling people about vanlife....you should have asked people about vanlife. BTW, you can buy a van and import it from the UK cheaper than you can buy one here in australia

@beyondher 2 ай бұрын

Carl, you're supposed to ignore those 'no camping'' signs. That's the secret to van life. You might get the occasional fine, but it's still worth it to be living on the beach full time! I think your video is focusing on all the negatives, but there is many many positives to this lifestyle as well. It's all about giving up comfort for the sake of freedom. Get a small bucket with a clip on lid and line it with compost bags and there is your toilet. Then it can be dumped in the bin like the dog owners with their dog poop. Also van life is not a new fad, it's been popular since the 1960's. It's just that it's being documented now since we have instagram and a huge number of young Aussies can't afford to purchase a home these days.

@helenellsworth9556 Ай бұрын

He focuses on the negative because everyone else doesn't

@CarlTravels 26 күн бұрын

That's the point, Im just trying to be honest, and not show some instagram fake reality.

@vichetkim5533 23 күн бұрын

Excellent review on the honesty report on van life. I thought about entering Van life myself but given that i may end up smelling my own feces inside the vehicle while driving, I'll park the idea and tow it in a camper trailer instead.

@ponto08 7 күн бұрын

What did the guy sh*t in.....all portable toilets you put chemical in that breaks up the faeces and eliminates odour....i have porta potty in van since 2013 and have never smelled it once.

@zanebarnsley5903 14 күн бұрын

reality check for sure, thanks for the honesty, driving from the west to east coast along the south coast come January.

@ponto08 7 күн бұрын

In relation to the video.....portable toilets don't smell because you put chemicals in them. But when planning on trip like that in this country, there are things that you need 1 toilet....2 shower ( solar bag).....3 bed..... 4 stove. Then whatever else you need...but the 4 are essential. I If you haven't been across before, you will love it....don't rush.....I followed the Murray River all the way to the high country to Corryong.... Free camps all the way. Enjoy it.