Essential van life tips to know before you hit the road

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Doing a Big Lap of Australia (or any long road trip for that matter) often involves calling a campervan or caravan home for a while.

 

Here, we get some tips and hacks to living life on four wheels from those behind the hugely successful Van Life Diaries blog (and now book).

Van life interior
Van life certainly has its perks

1. Find those hot showers

Having a hot shower option when living full-time or part-time in a van is a big thing for me that makes it feel more like a home.

2. Try to camp for free

Look for free camp options in nature as often as you can. I love the van lifestyle of travelling and exploring Australia as it cuts down on accommodation costs. I always have all the gear I need with me, and, most importantly, I have my bed with me wherever I go!

3. Have some respect

If you are in a city or town and you want to free park for the night, find a safe place to park, don’t be loud and bother those with homes, leave early and don’t leave rubbish or clean your teeth on their sidewalk.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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4. Don’t be shy

Start conversations with fellow travellers along the way to build community and find out about the best waterfalls, beaches, lakes and walks from them, and from the locals too. I enjoy having conversations with the local community, raising awareness about our conscious van-living community who care about nature and people and want to have a minimal impact on the places they enjoy.

5. Utilise op shops

Being light packers, we buy 90 per cent of our essentials from thrift stores, [from] bedding to kitchenware, and additional clothes depending on the season. Generally we will take one jumper, a jacket and, if it’s colder than expected, buy another one there.

6. Unpack

Unpacking and ‘moving in’ to the van is like coming home. When everything has its place and I am not digging through my suitcase like a madman, I can immediately absorb experiences faster and feel more present and relaxed.

7.  Embrace change

Travelling in a van is for those open to change. You can journey at your own pace, savouring experiences with the people you cherish, or seek a different path, creating a once-in-a-lifetime trip of your own design.

8. Choose your own adventure

When looking for an adventure vehicle, ask yourself what kind of adventure you want to go on. You might already own a car or truck that can take you where you need to go, and you might be able to build it out for the type of trip you’re looking to go on. Also, don’t underestimate smaller rigs. It’s been nice travelling in a van like the older Toyota ones because I use my outdoor space as an extension of my living space.

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9. Network

Attend [traveller] gatherings or meet-ups if they are close by or on your route. It can be quite lonely travelling around in a van and it’s nice to find like-minded people to be able to share conversations and meals with.

10. R&R

Take periods of rest; travelling can be tiring on the body. Find areas where you can camp for more than a few days, whether that’s national parks or a friend’s backyard. Every so often, it’s nice to take a hot shower, do a load of laundry and clean out your rig.

 

Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom on the Open Road by Kathleen Morton, Jonny Dustow and Jared Melrose (Hardie Grant, $39.99) is available now.

 

Thinking of attempting The Big Lap of Australia? Check out our ultimate guide you’ll want to read before you hit the road…

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Can’t handle the cold? Hamilton Island serves a slice of summer in winter

(Image: Hamilton Island)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.

    As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.

    Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.

    Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.

    1. Year-round summer weather

    A woman hiking along the Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island.
    Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.

    2. Getting active without the humidity

    A buggy parked overlooking Hamilton Island’s golf course, with sweeping views of the sea at Whitsundays in winter.
    Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.

    3. Hamilton Island Race Week

    Yachts racing across the sparkling Whitsundays during Hamilton Island Race Week.
    Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.

    4. Best time for snorkelling

    A woman snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
    Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of the best times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.

    It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.

    5. Fewer crowds

    People kayaking.
    Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.

    6. Delicious dining

    The interiors of Bommie Restaurant, featuring modern coastal design with warm lighting and elegant detailing.
    Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)

    The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.

    5. Clear skies for idyllic views

    The golden hour across the Whitsundays in winter.
    End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.

    To learn more about travelling to the Whitsundays in winter, visit hamitlonisland.com.au.