Fulltime Vanlife in Port Stephens, Australia

Fulltime Vanlife in Port Stephens, Australia | Part 2

Рет қаралды 2,330

Күн бұрын

Following on from my last video around Port Stephens on the mid north coast of New South Wales in Australia.
Kicking off the day with a sunrise walk on Shoal Bay Beach before getting on the bike for a ride through Nelson Bay, Salamander Bay and up to Soldiers Point. The warm winter afternoons were coercing me to just sit around and take in the peaceful environment. One thing this area does well is make you relax.
I got back to Gan Gan Lookout before sunset this time and took a timelapse of the sunset. Did the same from Mt Tomaree as well, so you can compare the sunsets and see which is best.
The highlight of these few days was the trip out to Rocky Beach in the Tomaree National Park. Stunning rocky coastline to explore and beautiful clear water.
Keep an ear open for some of my vanlifer tips, recommendations and general experiences throughout the video.
About me:
My name's Jason. Never one to miss an opportunity to have more fun in my life, after 25 years of working as a Mechanical Engineer, I took a redundancy, moved out of my house and started living full time in my self converted Ford Transit campervan. I pass my days mountain biking, bush walking and generally exploring the beautiful natural attractions that Australia has to offer.
Solo Fulltime Vanlife vlog
Chapters:
0:00 Shoal Bay Beach sunrise
1:10 Ride along coast
2:26 Soldiers Point Boat Ramp
3:21 Lunch with Magpies
4:33 Gan Gan Lookout sunset
4:54 Removing soft close from cupboards
7:08 Rocky Beach
12:52 Mt Tomaree sunset
15:39 Dinner
16:20 Good Morning
17:50 Little Beach breakfast
19:34 Water top up
21:15 Pearson Park walk
22:22 Afternoon kayak
25:24 Evening settle down
26:35 Final morning in town

Пікірлер: 65

@chrssiem 11 күн бұрын

I’m really enjoying your videos and following your travels - thank you!

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

Thank you. Really appreciate the support 🙂

@Beeannks 10 күн бұрын

Seeing these videos does make me realise how blessed and lucky I am to live here except for at holiday times 😅 I don’t think anyone around here would care where you parked overnight as long as you’re quiet.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 9 күн бұрын

It is beautiful up there! I must say, I didn't get any disapproving stares while I was there. There was one couple that looked a little funny, but then they came over and starting asking questions about how I built the van 😂

@Mirtle_Tirtle 11 күн бұрын

Love waking up to a new video from you - so good to have an Aussie channel 🇦🇺 🤩 Also love your content - especially the rock formations and trees, moss, water, waves, seaweed, sea slugs, rock pools - the list goes on and on 😆 Keep up the good work!

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

Thank you very much! Sometimes I think I go overboard recording little details, but that's what makes it interesting to me 😁 Glad you like it!

@koala2464 10 күн бұрын

We are so blessed to live on this beautiful country.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

It's pretty damn good, isn't it 😁

@andanssas 18 сағат бұрын

Amazing views and sunset at 15:00, thanks for sharing 😊

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 17 сағат бұрын

Yeah, some great lookouts up there!

@allieb1621 10 күн бұрын

This was fantastic with marvellous scenery - your photography is excellent I could imagine a calendar (or three plus) full of stills from this video! Plenty of land and sea wildlife too which is of great interest to me. Well done and keep them coming. Also amazed at your stamina after these long bike rides and adventurous hikes to rock pools and rock climbs. Thanks for these many inspiring views of NSW coastlines and scenic areas - I've really enjoyed all your recent videos especially since only just becoming aware of your channel. Cheers!

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

Thankyou very much, Allie! Really appreciate the encouragement 😊

@bausy2196 11 күн бұрын

Nice video mate 👍 ... I'm lucky enough to live in this beautiful area. I think it's easy to take it for granted, until someone like yourself comes and discovers it and puts it in this format. Hope you enjoyed your stay.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

Thanks mate! Really is beautiful up there. Had a very pleasant stay but need to com back when it warmer and do some snorkeling 😁

@crhooke7449 9 күн бұрын

Hi Jason, great scenery captured. How could you get bored of that lifestyle. Going north would be ideal this time of year. Looking forward to the next vid. Cheers

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 9 күн бұрын

Thanks. Yeah, I'm loving this life! 😁

@fatmanoverlanding 11 күн бұрын

Before the NPWS made Rocky Beach more accessible to the public, to get there required a 4WD as the track got really soft (sand) closer to the beach. There even used to be a carpark halfway through the track with a sign that read "4WD access only from this point". And before they built the carpark at the end and put all the barricades, you could drive all the way to the Rocky Cauldron. Only the natural rock formations prevented you driving further. We used to drive right on the beach and camp there. Though back in the 90s us locals called it Shelly Beach due to all the vast shells on the ground. We've also kayaked to Fingal Island. But we started at Fingal Bay (carpark). From the carpark it's only 20m to the beach shoreline. And if you had a 4WD, you can even drive onto the beach itself and park there. You certainly maximised your time at Port Stephens. Another enjoyable episode. Great stuff. 👍

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

I have similar memories of driving through areas in the blue mountains that have since been barricaded off. At the time it was very disappointing, but with the number of people with 4wd's these days, I kind of think it's for the best. Places are still accessible, it's just a bit harder to get to them. Fingal island is an annoying one 😂. Wouldn't be hard to kayak over to it but carrying the 15kg kayak all the way in there....🤔 Depends on the sharks 😂

@mistymint7983 11 күн бұрын

The underwater scenery is amazing, beautiful spot 🧜‍♀️

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

It's always fun to see what's on the video after I pull the camera out. I love the little shrimp 😁

@sallyb1433 10 күн бұрын

Such a beautiful area. I love that you go walking & riding & show us things I would otherwise never get to see. I’ve had my hip problem since birth so I’ve never been able to walk long distances, so I miss out on a lot of good sights. I’ve been visiting Port Stephens most of my life but you’ve shown me lots of beautiful places I’ve never got to see before. It’s great to get to see it through your eyes. Loved seeing all the life in the rock pool too! Great footage!

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

Thanks Sally! Really appreciate you sharing this and makes it worthwhile putting up the videos to have you and everyone following along. I like the rockpool shots too. Once it's warmer I'll do some snorkeling too.

@jeanie7369 11 күн бұрын

Such a beautiful area , amazing sunsets, and you had some pretty spectacular weather by the looks of it. Last time I was at soldiers point I saw my first ever koala in the wild 😁. Great video, thanks for sharing

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

The weather was awesome for mid winter!😊 Saw lots of signs for koalas but didn't actually see any. You were lucky!

@andrewannetts5267 11 күн бұрын

Great video in a beautiful area of NSW. I’ve been kayaking around Lemon Tree and Mallabula and been lucky enough to see the dolphins 🐬 .

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

That would be cool. I want to go over that side for a look too. Next time.

@amandalee7783 11 күн бұрын

Love this video Jason. The dives in the clear water. Spoiled us for sunrise/sunsets spots. Glad you summit Tomaree Mtn. I love Shoal Bay! Look forward to the next adventure.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

I was lucky with the weather up there. The next few videos will feature a fair bit more rain! 😂

@amandalee7783 11 күн бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces here we go! Rain, hail or shine😅

@SeanC1959 11 күн бұрын

Another great video Jason. The underwater footage was great. I liked the scene of you sorting out that soft close hinge. They're a pain. I've got a kitchen full of them. Georges Reserve brings back a few memories of past stopovers and departures to my sisters catamaran. Watch out for those white pointers. Take care and thanks for an entertaining half hour. Cheers, Sean.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

Thanks Sean. It's be a nice bay to spend a few days on a boat. I like the water shots too. Want to do some GoPro fishing and see what I can see around some jetties 😁

@Tony-ep7jh 10 күн бұрын

I hope your captive audience isn’t putting the pressure on you to always feel as though you need to always need to find something to do. ☺️ You’re doing well feeding us so far. I hope you’re find some of your own time to switch off, and enjoy boredom. It doesn’t appear to be in your DNA though. Thanks for the vid!

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

I'm just doing what I enjoy doing and loving that so many people are interested. 😊 Surprisingly, I do still have days where I do nothing, but you're right, its not in my DNA to sit still for too long 😁

@leanneblake5773 10 күн бұрын

Thanks for your really enjoyable videos. Love the everyday life, sunrises, sunsets and the adventures of finding a place to sleep each night. Did you have an intro video about why you went full time van life? I might have missed that. Your videos highlight our beautiful country and how to discover some hidden gems. Looking forward to the QLD sights.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

Thanks Leanne. No, I don't have any intro videos. I've only recently started doing this kind of video and it's turned out to be very popular....need to catch up on those backstory things at some point 😁

@abettermankind9761 11 күн бұрын

Another great video Bluey, thank you. Insane GoPro footage Wow! You've inspired me to get one. Look forward to seeing you up here in Qld. Safe travels 🚐💨

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

Thanks mate! I need to be up in Qld where it's warm, but just keep getting held back by various "commitments". One day I'll make it.

@paulineh4019 10 күн бұрын

Thank you for taking me on another wonderful adventure. As someone else said, it's great to watch Aussie content. Those underwater shots were 👍 and the sunsets 💖 Beautiful colour water. What cheeky maggies, they are such inquisative friendly birds, except in Spring! Nice capture of the echidna too. I had to laugh at your lazy day, drive here, drive there, a walk over here, then a paddle. A,ha I see those blinds are just stuck on, I'm still thinking about getting some for my side window. Ikea I think you said...

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

Thanks Pauline. Seems to be a lot of tame Magpies everywhere I go recently. Pretty sure they'll forget me when I'm riding my bike in a few months time 😂 Yes, IKEA for the blinds. Search "up down blind" $49 ea. You do need to cut down the metal rods to get them to fit and if the self adhesive doesn't hold, super glue works just fine....though I do plan to finish them off properly one day 😁

@paulineh4019 10 күн бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Thanks for the extra info on the blinds. Ahhh, be nice to the maggies and they'll remember you, leave you alone in the Spring 🤞😁

@Julia-lo5uq 11 күн бұрын

Great content as always, love the small details. You really did capture this stunning area well! We were having lunch at Newcastle Beach on Thursday and saw what appeared to be your blue van up on the hill, above King Edward Park. My husband's a bit of a stalker and wanted to say hi so we walked up only to find it wasn't you 😥 BTW, the blue van stayed overnight 🤫

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

😂 yeah, I headed back to Sydney pretty quickly last week....oops, spoiler 😂 Always welcome to come and say hello.

@wendyhoward472 10 күн бұрын

Pearson park walk looks perfect spot to chill and read

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

The whole area just begs you to sit back and relax 😁

@jazzycool2950 11 күн бұрын

Inflatable kayaks are convenient and are good for a bit of fun. Hope you were wearing a personal floating device(PFD). They come in handy when things go wrong on the water plus wearing one is the law in NSW and you can be fined if you’re caught not wearing one.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

I didn't know they were law! Hmmmm...might need to get one. Thanks. 😊

@jazzycool2950 11 күн бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces You can get PFDs that inflate after you pull the cord or belt types that don’t restrict you when paddling plus other types 👍 And there are types for enclosed water and open water. I think you were in open water in your video.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

@jazzycool2950 yeah, I had a quick look at the rules. The bay is classed as enclosed water still, but apparently if there's only one person in the kayak, you have to always wear one....

@coral8313 11 күн бұрын

You show cased my home town beautifully peaceful except peak times when it’s very busy because of the surrounding swimming & beaches

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

I've never been there in school holidays, but I know what Forster gets like...would imagine it would be the same

@coral8313 11 күн бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces it’s only for a few weeks you learn when to go out not near Fingal though extremely busy

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

That's true. They all disappear after the holidays then normality is restored.

@TempyBuilds 10 күн бұрын

Wow!! to live in those beach houses , right on the sand , very lucky people. Those views from the mountain look out where so stunning , I loved seeing the life under the water , so beautiful , thank you again for another awesome video , I find Auzzie content more interesting to watch then American most of the time , you have a much more chilled approach , more natural in front of the camera , Thanks again from a dull Wales :D

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

Thanks and always a pleasure. Yeah, some spectacular and spectacularly expensive houses up there! 😂

@tedbullpit6164 11 күн бұрын

Pretty sure I seen you drive past antique Burwood Drive Whitebridge round 9:00 a.m. today you should Park at Gates Hotel Adamstown and ride the Fernleigh track down to Belmont

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

Nuh, not me, I'm back down in Sydney at the moment. I do want to do that ride though. Might be a good endurance run for me 😁

@joannehaskew5398 10 күн бұрын

One of my favourite swimming spots at Port Stephens..Caves Beach is a favourite and another is really good spot is Parrita Island Nature Reserve behind Swansea Lakeside Caravan park (Lake Maquarie ) has Water and Toilets available.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 10 күн бұрын

Thanks Joanne. I was in Swansea and Caves beach a few weeks back. I need to ride more around there once it dries out....so wet right now!

@joannehaskew5398 10 күн бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces yes the weather has been atrocious. I'm definitely looking forward to the warmer months , sun and surf or the lake on those big surf days ...I enjoy your videos ✌

@carolbonnett7409 11 күн бұрын

It was great seeing this beautiful area again, through your eyes. :) Im glad to see you climb Mt Tommaree that I had recommended. How did you find it. Last time I climbed it I struggled abit. :) :/

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 11 күн бұрын

It certainly has a lot of steps, but I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the sunset so walked up there pretty quickly. I worked up a sweat 😂