Van Life Essentials

RELIABLE VAN

First things first, you’ll want a reliable van that won’t let you down while travelling around Australia.

It’s best to stick with well-known brands like Toyota, Ford, Mercedes, or Volkswagen. If you do run into mechanical issues on the road, most mechanics will be familiar with these makes and will find it easier to repair and source replacement parts.

Ideally, look for a van with low kilometres, under 250,000 km is a good benchmark since you’ll be adding plenty more while lapping the country.

Finally, it’s worth getting a trusted mechanic to inspect the vehicle before you buy it, so any hidden issues can be sorted out ahead of time.

APPS 

Having the right apps while travelling Australia is a must! The top 6 apps for travelling Australia are: 

• Wikicamps
  This app is our absolute bible and we use it every single day! It shows you where to find water, dump points, free campsites, rest stops, laundromats, and points of interest all across Australia.

  Our favourite feature is the reviews section, where you can read feedback from other travellers who’ve been there before. It’s super handy for checking if a campsite is worth stopping at or if water fill-up spots & dump points are clean & easily accessible.

• Petrol Spy

  We use this app EVERY SINGLE TIME we need to refuel the van. It shows real-time fuel prices at stations nearby, making it super easy to find the cheapest diesel wherever you are. Since fuel is one of the biggest expenses on the road, this app helps us save a few extra dollars every time we fill up.

• BOM Weather App

  You quickly realise that when you’re living in a van, the weather basically runs your life. Your plans, activities, and even travel routes often revolve around it. Having a reliable weather app like BOM makes it so much easier to plan your day-to-day adventures and avoid any unwanted surprises.

• Australia Post 

  You might be wondering how we receive parcels on the road with no fixed address while constantly moving from town to town. The Australia Post app makes it easy as you can have your parcel sent to the post office in the town you’ll be travelling to.

  There are two options: Parcel Collect, where you go inside the post office to pick up your parcel, or Parcel Locker, where you can grab your parcel anytime from the lockers located outside the post office.

• Google Maps Satellite 

  The satellite view in Google Maps is a game-changer when it comes to finding hidden gems, stealth camping spots, car parks and secret locations that other maps won’t show. It’s perfect for scouting out new places before you even arrive.

• Spotify 

  This app is a must-have for music and podcasts while tackling Australia’s super long drives. The country is huge, so it’s worth being well-prepared for hours on the road!

  Our top tip: make sure you download your playlists and podcasts before setting off. That way, you won’t be left staring at a blank screen if you lose signal halfway through your journey.

ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE

After breaking down twice on our trip, we cannot recommend having roadside assistance enough. If you’re on a road trip and don’t have it yet, stop what you’re doing and get it immediately.

We’re with RACQ, and they came through big time, providing us with a free tow and covering $1,100 worth of accommodation and vehicle hire while our van was in the shop. Seriously, it’s peace of mind you don’t want to skip.

PORTABLE TOILET

A lot of campgrounds require you to be self-contained so having a toilet on board is a must!  It’s also very useful if you are scared of the dark (like me) and need to pee throughout the night.  We use the Thetford 345 Porta Potti Portable Toilet which has lasted us throughout our whole three year trip! We abide by the golden rule that it is for number 1’s only! 

OFFLINE MAPS

If you plan on travelling to remote locations, download offline Google Maps for the area in advance. Alternatively, carry a detailed physical map as it is invaluable for planning, navigating, and making the most of your time in areas with limited or no signal.

WATER TANK 

If you’re like us and love going off-grid for as long as possible, we recommend fitting the biggest water tank your van can handle.

We initially had a 55L tank, which meant refilling every 2–3 days. We’ve recently upgraded to a 95L tank from Jayco, and it now lasts us almost a full week which is a total game changer, especially when visiting remote locations!s!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Brody to write

VENTILATION
We have a Maxx Air Fan and a Sirocco fan, and honestly, we would have absolutely struggled through summer in the Northern Territory without them. On top of that, we open two windows to create good airflow throughout the van, which makes a huge difference in keeping things cool.

COOKING EQUIPMENT

A stove, pots, pans, utensils, knives — all the normal kitchen essentials — are a must for van life. We have the Dune 4WD butane gas stove and it’s been fantastic! The only downside is that cooking outside can be tricky if it’s windy, as there are no flame barriers.

We have the Outback Explorer Smart Storage Stainless Steel Pots & 28cm Fry Pan Set the removable handles make them super easy to store in our van!

We also recommend having a camp oven set up for cooking on the fire!

AWNING

We recently upgraded from a small Kings awning to the Tuff Terrain 180° free-standing awning from Outback Equipment, and we cannot recommend it enough! The coverage is huge, and it even has built-in lighting, which is perfect for night-time cook-ups around the fire.

FRIGE
We have the 95L Brass Monkey Slim-Line Single Door Fridge with a freezer zone, which makes our van feel more like a proper kitchen. It’s really easy to use and can comfortably store about a week’s worth of groceries.

CLEANING SUPPLIES
All of our cleaning supplies are eco friendly so if any where to go on the ground, it wouldn't be harmful to the environment. Our all time favourite brand to use is Simply Clean!

SHOWER

We have a basic retractable shower from Bunnings connected to our water tank. It’s just cold water, so we use it for quick rinse-offs and to wash Miley after the beach. We always make sure to use biodegradable soap to keep it eco-friendly while travelling.

FIRST AID KIT

We have the Suvival First Aid Kit stored behind our drivers seat and is honestly been a lifesaver!

CLOTHING
Pack the clothes you think you’ll need — then halve them. Trust us, after three years on the road, you realise you end up wearing the same pieces over and over. Choose clothes that are versatile and easy to mix and match, so you can create different outfits without packing heaps. You’ll also learn that most clothes don’t need to be washed after just one wear, which makes life on the road a lot simpler.

SHOES
We recommend bringing three types of shoes with you:

Thongs or Crocs — essential for all the public showers you’ll be using.

Hiking shoes — we highly recommend Blundstones for comfort and durability on walks and hikes.

Runners or sneakers — perfect for when you feel like going for a run or doing casual activities.

JUMPER CABLES

We have the usual jumper cables but we also have the XXXKickAss 12V, 1500A Portable Car Jump Starter with Power Bank - 3000A Peak and it’s been an absolute lifesaver when our battery died in the middle of nowhere!

TOOLS (for minor repairs on the road)

We packed all the battery-operated and hand tools we could fit under the passenger seat when building the van, and it was the best decision. We’ve needed to make repairs to the van during our time on the road, and having these tools on hand has been a lifesaver.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

We bought a small one from Bunnings before we left. We haven’t had to use it (touch wood) but is definitely a must for inside the van in case of emergencies.

MISCELANOUS 

Surfboards, offee machine (bellman espresso), fishing gear, snowboards (just incase you find yourself near the snowy mountains in winter), beach umbrella, camp chairs, camp table, laundry bag, tea towels, etc.

Last but certainly not least, a picnic rug. We use our Salty Aura rugs almost every single day - we actually have three of them. One for our bed, one for the front seats and one we use at the beach! They are so versatile and can be used for a range of different things such as: table cloth, chair cover, bed cover and the best thing is that it makes the van feel instantly homely! 

You can find their website below:
https://saltyaura.com/SUNNIE

Use our code 'SUNNIE' for a 10% discount!

With the right gear and a bit of planning, your van life adventure will be safer, more comfortable and a whole lot more enjoyable! Now you're ready to hit the road and make some unforgettable memories! 🚐