The biggest learnings from van life

... leave no trace

I’ve just emptied my van’s toilet waste into a dump point. It was one of those jobs I despised at first, especially when there are other people around but now, after over 3,000km, it’s ok. I don’t love it, but it’s ok. Queensland doesn’t seem to have as many of these sacred places so I have used my imagination about what to do and I was kind to the environment, promise.

These points are precious landmarks along the road. Never before have I considered how many times I’ve been to the toilet and the timing of emptying said vessel. All other thoughts seem to melt into oblivion as the basic essentials of water, solar/sun/power, diesel and dump points. I don’t normally have to think about internet service as Telstra said they ‘have me covered’ and they generally do but there are plenty of times when service drops out, the longest for three days and the location at Proserpine, Qld was well worth it.

Our park for the night in Nambour

We left Varsity Lakes and headed for Nambour, Qld we stayed a night in Noosa on one of the islands, catching the barge across. The only thing about staying in touristy areas like this are the restrictions on free parking. I’m not a fan of caravan parks, especially the Big4. I’m learning how to be a better rule breaker as a result and the desire to be more Brave. I finished Topher Field’s book on this leg of the ride titled, “Good People Break Bad Laws”. If we don’t question authority then what’s the point? Just because there’s a law in place doesn’t mean that it’s for the greater good. A lot of the time to limit or restrict and to take control. Questioning teachers, parents, ourselves and our behaviours… that was the theme on this leg.

Tachi’s first experience on a barge...

From Noosa we took a detour intuitively and found ourselves in a little town called Kin Kin, Qld. I’m the most unplanned traveller and thankfully Tachi hasn’t brought up any concerns about this. There was a Sunday market on with a dog theme, I think the entire town was there with their dogs. We didn’t know this until we parked in the main street with a pub, bakery, real estate agent and a population of about 800 people. It was easy to spot the gathering.

I went straight to the coffee van and tarot reading lady and Tachi went to the treat stalls and stopped at every wee message. I could live here (I wonder how many times I’ll say that)

Kin Kin dog market

I love her :)

We stayed in a free night park up in Chatsworth and then onto revisit Gympie, where I lived in my late teens and I’m pretty sure I even managed to find the house I lived in with my boyfriend, his mate (they were playing in the local rugby team) and our white cat, whose name I can’t remember… I think it was probably Casper. We all travelled up in a yellow Sandman panel van, one in the back and two in the front on rotation from Tumut to Gympie, probably listening to Cold Chisel the entire way.

Tin Can Bay, Maryborough and then another night camp at Childers.

I’m more than content in my own company, I thank my numerology of being a 9 for that, the Hermit card. When I do venture out I’ve met gems of people. One lady had been living in her camper van, a very up market one, for over two years. She was about to take the next leap of faith and sell her van and move to Bali. She told me that she had to sell ‘everything’ to be able to live there - she had to cut all ties with Australia. Her new apartment is $5,000 per year. Crikey!

Have you been to Bali? I never have…. It makes me think…

Our next jaunt was straight through Bundaberg (we try and avoid the major cities, we drove around Sydney through the Blue Mountains and straight through Brisbane, gosh it’s a pretty city.

Agnus Waters and Seventeen Seventy. Wow.

We found the best little Hipcamp ‘Agnus Park Enviro Camp’ for $10/night, which you place in an honesty box upon entering the paddock. There are no lines, no rules or restrictions like a caravan park, (and why do they have speed humps the size of mountains in caravan parks?) it’s all left to good old common sense at this gem.

You can stay at this place for a long as you like the owner told me, and I have to say, it planted a little seed inside my head for a longer stay down the track.

One of the little nooks at the Enviro Camp...

The owner suggested we walk around the area and find a park up we like

Onto Yeppoon which is absolutely gorgeous but not van friendly so we parked in a street… It’s not always pretty…

After one night, we left Yeppoon and drove into the night…

We landed here. Waiting for the aliens to arrive at our park up in Ogmore (there were a few other UFO enthusiasts around).

Onward to Clearwater and into Sarina where we met another local down at the beach and had a good chat about crocodiles and take away fish and chips.

Then I headed inland to a mining town, Moranbah to meet my cousin, Deb, for the first time. I got to meet her Mum and Dad in Nambour and it was like we had known each other forever. I have Nana Yorgey’s tarot deck and now I have a deeper connection with like-minded family and it feels amazing!

Next up was Airle Beach. A stunning part of the world especially if you’re into partying and experiences. Alas, Tachi and I were more into slow strolls and tarot cards. I arrived late in the evening and I saw the biggest python ever! Its tail was on the middle line of the road and its body was in the bushes about two metres off the road. It took my breath away! Wish I’d snapped a picture of it!

Waking up to the harbour somewhere in Airlie Beach

Our camp without service for two days

Proserpine I absolutely loved! We stayed in the area for four nights. One of the nights I tested my above mentioned bravery and stayed at the Cedar Falls car park, one of the areas with no service and where it gets pitch dark by 7pm. I was happily alone and then at about 8pm a ute pulled in and then left… that was ok then at midnight another ute with trailer pulled in and parked across from me. I nearly sh*t myself! I grabbed my wacker thingy and my keys peaked out through my front curtains. He was walking around a lot and using a torch to check things out. ‘Be brave’ I told myself! He wouldn’t have a clue who’s inside this van, and with Tachi snoring like a steam train, he probably thinks it's a guy! I gave myself a pep talk, telling myself that I’ve trained for this in my head… we’ll be fine. The ute guy eventually went to sleep and then I did too and Tachi snored into the early hours of the morning… and we all lived happily ever after.

This place fell in our laps and we were so grateful

Witnessing the sugar can burning at our camp at Home Hill. Outback.

Tonight we’re in Tully, another small town with a population for about 2,400. We’re staying in a camp for $20/night (non powered). There’s a garden bed here that we can all access. I could live here too. There I go...

During the drive I was thinking about an old program that I have running in my head that I will always get into trouble… I have to do the right thing…

It’s not that I’m going to do the wrong thing, it’s more about me doing what I feel gives me freedom. I’ve challenged myself a few times when looking for parks where to go to next. I’ve taken the more challenging path and it’s worked for me. I’ve gone places that I never would have and I’m learning how easy it is to walk into fear, shake its hand, give it a hug and saying thanks for the ride - I came out the other side and I’m ok. Everything is ok.

When I woke this morning I walked Tachi around the park and I looked back at the other travellers who were also parked there… There was a motorbike rider sleeping in a tent, utes with pop up beds, pimped campervans and vans like mine, people sleeping in their cars, caravans. I’ve even seen people walking with their backpacks on back roads. I thought how amazing it was that even though we don’t know each other, we’re all looking out for each other, sharing space, taking care of it - ‘leave no trace’ is the motto and we all do it well. There’s a nod of the head from the man across the way and people who stop for a chat and offer golden nuggets of information that I’m forever grateful for.

Everything is ok. Even though ‘they’ try and convince us it’s not. The obstacle is the way. Let go what’s holding you back and use it to catapult you into your next story. I’m excited to see where we all go next.

Love,

Tania and Tachi xx