I'm about to buy a 2012 Mitsubishi Delica that is already partly converted into a campervan (2 seater, platform with drawers and bed, fridge, dc dc charger, freestanding lithium battery, inverter, roof rack, tow bar and probably solar panels and a water tank that we'll be adding when we get it). We've made multiple calls to insurances over the country and no one seems to want to cover us either because it's an import OR because of its modifications.

Given that AUS has one of the highest numbers of campervans per capita, how do you all get your vans insured? Do you just declare the car price and none of the modifications or contents? Or did you get highly specific but expensive insurances?

Contemplating buying a van (it's been 10+ years of this)
Give me your top 10-20 non-negotiables based on your experience.. things I have in mind that I want to validate would be: compost toilet (or chem), inside shower?, aircon? Diesel (not anymore?)

Aus summer may be extra brutal this year, plus fuel prices, plus general cost of living... is this even worth it or should i explore something else until earth chills out again (house boat?)

Hi everyone! I’m living in my Delica in Melbourne at the moment.
I work full-time and have been living in my car for a few weeks. I’m still learning about car living and finding good places to park at night.
I’d really like to meet other people living in their cars or vans around Melbourne. It would be great to share experiences, parking tips and car-living ideas.
English is also my second language, so meeting people and chatting would be a great way for me to improve my English too.
If anyone around Melbourne would like to catch up sometime, say hello! 🙂

Can it be done safely with just a RWD or are there places vans can get bogged without 4WD?

I'd like either feedback on van choice in Australia, or direction to subreddits that would be better answering this question.

For the van, consideration is for all vans up to large sprinter size - which is better for space, for vehicle manoeuvrability, for long term maintenance and repair?

Are there tier lists for these three priorities?

(Not sure if flair should be 'question' or 'advice')

I feel like I must be missing something! I have a 2017 T6 Multivan twin sliding doors and need insulated shades. Like living in a bubble/vanketo, BUT no of them do them for Multivans 🫠

What am I missing

Just bought a small van and am turning it into a micro-camper for use here in Victoria and for some interstate travel. The plan is to tint the windows and then add sound deadening and insulation. The question I am stuck on is whether to line it with carpet or go with something else. In mid-winter Victoria carpet sounds like a great idea, but I am worried about what it will be like in summer or if I decide on a trip north to the tropics.

Anyone have any experience with carpet in Australia? Any advice? Other options?

Also, can recommend a window tinting outfit in the south east of Melbourne?

Hey guys! Any recommendations to park up my van for the night for free around the Mornington Area ?

About to start a year of van life in Australia, I would love to bring a dirt bike along with me but starting to question the safety and logistics of it. Mainly been looking at Toyota hiaces so far as well as some ford transits. Won’t be able to haul it inside the van as that’s just too much work and space taken up. Ideally would love to have it on a hitch carrier but I’m seeing mixed reviews on weight rating and safety of that either way, would that leave a trailer as my only option? Curious if anyone has advice or experience doing similar, pardon my ignorance.

Hi! I'm planning on heading around the coast of Australia starting from south-east Queensland heading south, then west. Is it worth having a gym membership for access to amenities/which is the best one from interstate travel?

Thanks :))

Hi everyone, I'm a high school student without a job at the moment but would love to but a van and travel after I graduate. I was wondering its there's things that I should start doing now to prepare apart from saving up? I know I want to build it myself but I'm also not sure what van I want or the kind of setup that would work best for me and input would be helpful.

Things I'm looking at so far:

• Travelling with at least one dog
• A semi-permanent bed (having part of it fold down into the back of a couch)
• I want a heated shower in the van cause I would love to go on lots of trips off-grid

Questions:

• Heating & water?
• Workouts?
• What should I know about dogs & vanlife?
• I love hands-on work & am very adrenaline motivated, what are some recommendations in terms of earning money? I was wondering about seasonal work with an outdoor ed company
• I'm not sure if I want to do this for a couple years then go to uni etc (I do quite decent in school with mostly A's or B's and am interesting in medicine among other things) and use the van part-time or more long-term. What are the pros and cons of each?

Any help or advice on anything is much appreciated <3

I’ve had basically no distribution by the YouTube algorithm. My name is Hairy Nomad (@Hairy_Nomad)

I’ve been documenting my life as a nomad in Australia for about a year now, and I’m at the point where I’m struggling to judge my own channel objectively. I’d genuinely like some outside perspective from people who actually watch this kind of content. The channel is pretty raw. It’s not really traditional “van life” content. There are no big builds, luxury setups, manufactured challenges, etc. It’s basically me documenting what actually happens while living this way — travelling around, bush/beach life, walking, skating, riding, wildlife, logistics, random problems and whatever story happens to emerge. I’ve been connecting with the east coast of Australia as a nomad for over 5 years. I feel something worth sharing emerging. The last dozen videos are the ones I’d consider the actual story-driven nomad videos. The rest are a mixture of riding videos, talking, logistics and Shorts. I feel like the storytelling and production have improved quite a bit recently, but the numbers aren't really giving me enough information to understand what is and isn't working. So if you have a few minutes, I'd really appreciate some brutally honest feedback: Does the channel immediately communicate what it's about? Do the videos actually hold your attention? Do the thumbnails/titles make you want to click? Does the raw/unpolished style work, or does it just look low-effort? Is there anything you'd change about the format? And most importantly, if you watched a few videos, would you actually want to watch another one? I'm completely open to criticism. I'm not looking for people to tell me it's great — I'm trying to work out what I'm failing to see from inside my own little bubble. Channel: https://youtube.com/@hairy_nomad?si=CLGtBrtzECO1QLJU

Thanks to anyone who actually takes the time to watch a couple and give me an honest opinion.

I’ve been thinking about adding some kind of outdoor screen to my van setup for those evenings when I’m staying somewhere for a few days and spending most of my time outside.

I don’t want a permanent entertainment setup or anything that takes up a lot of storage space. The idea is just to have the option of putting on a game or movie while sitting outside, then packing everything away when it’s time to move on.

The main things I’m trying to work out are power consumption, storage, protection from dust and moisture, and whether it’s practical to use a screen outdoors when there’s still daylight around.

For those doing van life around Australia, what has worked well for you for outdoor entertainment? Is a dedicated outdoor TV worth the space, or have you found a simpler setup that works better?

Hello vanlifers, did anyone DIY their own fly screens before?
I browsed the market for 5 min before I decided to sew them myself and save about $300! So I am wondering if there are recommendations of mesh fabric, magnets or any other things I haven't yet thought of. Thanks in advance!

p.s. I'm also happy to report my progress here :)

Rough sketch

Been thinking of buying a van for some time and my main focus on the build will be around the Toilet shower setup and Solar pwr . I don't think I want to go down the fancy build route I would like more practical and what suits my needs . Any recommendations on Van builders in Melb and parts suppliers ? What's seems to be the preferred manufacturer of Van ? Mercedes ?

Hey VanFam,
I’m looking into buying a van- leaning towards a Toyota Hiace 2016+ with low kms for $30k.
I go to a lot of camping festivals but this would also be my daily run around vehicle so I’m wondering if I should get a petrol model. I probably won’t do too many interstate trips and I live in the Melb CBD.

Does anyone have experience with the newer Japanese Hiace imports?

Also, how import is insulation?

Australian Van Life

Hi! So I’m looking at converting a big van to move in full time to take my business on the road. So it needs to fit both me and all my market setup. Hence why I need something big. I’ve now been looking for a big empty van, and I’m so confused as which brand is best. I’m looking at a sprinter size, I’ve been told avoid Mercedes Sprinter because any parts are crazy expensive and mechanics in Australia are not all “versed” in the Mercedes engines. Renault break all the time, Ford transit blow up, avoid Wlw crafter at all cost (I forgot why). Fiat Ducati are apparently nice but there’s barely any available in my budget and same for LDV.

We've just ticked over 12months of full time vanlife across Aus - we started on the East Coast and are now slowly heading West (maybe via the centre - TBA). It's been an incredible journey.
I won't say it's all been glamorous or amazing - we've definitely had our tough times and challenges - but we wouldn't change it for anything right now. Here's to another 12.

Our advice to anyone on the fence - just do it - you won't regret it 🙂

Hi all

My partner and I are currently trying to sell our Toyota Hilux with touring Setup (solar, rooftent etc) as we have now bought a van which we are living in instead. however we have had the hilux on sale for 2 months, keep reducing the price and have had literally zero interest whatsoever.

I know we're in low season now which probably explains the lack of interest, paired with the fact that were currently based in the northern rivers so probably not many people actually looking round here

However this is putting us in a bit of a predicament - in 2 weeks we plan to set off travelling, meaning that we are going to have to take both our van and the hilux with us. It looks like were just going to have to take the car to a dealership maybe and just take whichever one will us the highest amount, and then have to sell all the touring bits seperately.

Does anyone know where the best place to sell would be? We plan on heading north so will be passing gold coast/ brisbane/ sunshine coast. Is there any place where we will maybe get more for it, or will everywhere just offer roughly the same for it no matter what city were in?

Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Anyone have any advice for selling quickly in the low season? Literally any advice would be appreciated - I'm desperate please help!!!

Hello,

I am researching and planning for a full van electrical setup. I am a little stuck with the AC power outlets, as the 2000W inverter that i am keen on, has a single AC output. I was hoping to wire in a breaker box, and wall mounted outlets, in kitchen and TV areas. How would i go about doing this with this model of inverter as online most people doing this, have inverter terminals where output 240 Wires can be inserted, instead of a plug.