Fulltime Vanlife on the NSW Central Coast, Australia

Рет қаралды 2,584

Күн бұрын

I've stopped working, 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.
After having a disturbed nights sleep in the Ourimbah State Forest, I felt the urge to share some of my vanlife night time stories - some of the cases where people have taken it upon themselves to give me a hard time for living. Once I got that off my chest, I went and filled up my water tanks, then drove in to Bateau Bay for a walk along the rock shelf at low tide.
The afternoon was time for a bike ride around The Entrance, paying a visit to Toowoon Bay, Blue Bay, and heading into The Entrance North along the bike path.
Keep an ear open for some of my vanlifer tips, recommendations and general experiences throughout the video.
Chapters:
0:00 What happened last night
2:27 Stories of rough nights
6:36 Moving out
7:48 Filling up the water tanks
9:55 Scoping sleep spots
10:54 Bateau Bay Beach
13:52 Lunch time microwave issues
15:59 Talk about van size
17:13 Long Jetty
18:01 Bike ride
20:45 The Entrance
24:09 Sunset shots
25:00 Moving to a sleep spot
27:31 The next day
Fulltime Vanlife vlog

Пікірлер: 71

@chrisscibisz9231 Ай бұрын

It is unfortunate that society has to deal with the ‘adult children’ who seem to enjoy inflicting their stupidity onto people that do nothing wrong and just ask to be left alone to enjoy their lives. Often, it’s ignorance, arrogance, low emotional maturity and very likely, low intelligence. The level of entitlement of some people I come across astounds me sometimes. I must admit that I feel sorry for people with such shallow lives. I am thinking of doing more free camping as I am working less now, but plan to travel more. I appreciate watching your experiences and learning about the realities of free camping. You’re very philosophical about antisocial behaviour around you. Hopefully it’s not too frequent. You can’t fix stupid so it’s best not to reward them with a reaction if you can. I’ve come across bad behaviour in caravan parks too. You’ll never escape it unfortunately. You have been to some beautiful places and seem to enjoy your lifestyle a lot, and that’s all that matters. Hopefully you’ll encourage more of us to get out there more. A bike is such a great way to see places and get exercise. I enjoy your videos. Thanks for posting them.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thank you very much for the thoughtful comments. Must say I was feeling a little negative on that morning, but once I got out into such beautiful places, it really didn't matter anymore 😊 You're right, ignoring these people is the best strategy.

@wernerbauer2652 Ай бұрын

Hey Chris, couldn't have said it better , spot on!

@fatmanoverlanding Ай бұрын

During your bike ride, if you went around that closed section on the bike/walk path (they're working on the carpark), the track is open all the way to Magenta. From there, there is a section of the track that is under-construction. But past that (just after Magenta), the track is open all the way to Norah Heads. Plus, the northern side of Budgewoi lake (Budgewoi, Buff Point etc), there is a very scenic bike path. Recommended. Also along Lakes Beach, there are several camper van friendly carparks. Budgewoi Beach Southern Carpark & the large carpark where The Lakes Beach Cafe is located are particularly popular. And across the road from these car park is a bike path that goes between Norah Head and Budgewoi.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

It's great to get your local knowledge! That track is a serious piece of work. Drove past it a few days later and the bridges they're building 😳 I'll add the 2 parking suggestions to my list! Thanks 😊

@shanonedser1 Ай бұрын

Good on you for not letting idiots spoil your time out there in your van. Some people are probably jealous that they are so tied down with their mundane boring lives.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Yeah, it's unfortunate, but typical so we just need to be prepared to move on when necessary.

@Deemay5555 Ай бұрын

Another great video, thanks for sharing some of the experiences you have with negative people in van life, I will know what to prepare for when I eventually move into a van. I really hope you channel grows.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thank you! Yeah, there's difficult times, but you just need to stay focused on all the good things. 😁

@darlonsadettan-six2497 Ай бұрын

Have you thought of getting an airflyer instead of using a microwave?

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

I do have one, but don't use it in the van. Not really useful for the types of food I cook.

@user-hc4or9yk4g 23 күн бұрын

I enjoy your videos. You are so neat and clean and everything has a place. Keep up the great work 😊

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 23 күн бұрын

Thanks Mandy, glad you enjoy them. And yes, I have been told I'm a bit of a clean freak 😂.

@Jonesydawg Ай бұрын

i live off a main road and you get the heroes revving engines and hooting horns. you're not alone

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

The price we pay for having to share the planet I guess 😊 Would be nice if we had it all to ourselves....

@lilvalentine545 Ай бұрын

I enjoy the bike rides. Keep the videos coming , I hope your channel gains some well deserved traction for you soon 😊

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! The channel has really taken off since I changed the video formats. It's a lot more effort now, but worth it 😊

@keithmesser1408 Ай бұрын

Liked the video and in particular liked the bike ride. I have watched a few of your videos so I decided to sub. and I look forward to further travels.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Cool thanks for the feedback and thanks for following along! I wasn't sure if people would be interested in the rides, but seems many are....which is good because I ride a lot!☺️

@williamcopelin4513 Ай бұрын

I miss the days of biking around tuggerah lake from Berkeley vale to the entrance

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Certainly a nice ride around the area.

@saankita8033 Ай бұрын

Great attitude.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Need to keep positive! Even though it's hard some times 😁

@wyattfamily8997 Ай бұрын

I'd suggest that you get a recording of a German Sheppard growling and barking that you can play to when morons and idiots are around, they would think twice before doing anything more, and place bright lights on the outside that you can trigger at any time.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

😂 I do plan to add some lights soon, but not sure if it will just aggravate more than deter 😁

@hankcuccina5260 Ай бұрын

. Australia is not the safe place it used to be... Good on you Jason for living the dream.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thanks! I think it's more that everyone is so much more mobile these days....and there are a LOT more people....but that's life 😊

@night-heron954 Ай бұрын

good video keep it up

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching 😊

@DebGeeDee Ай бұрын

As a solo woman doing van life I’ve only left one free campsite so far due to trail motorbike riders revving their bikes at midnight for no apparent reason. I didn’t realise I ended up by myself with them at the campground so I did take off. In hindsight I probably should have been a bit more vigilant. Enjoy your vids! 🙂

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! One of my problems is that I'm super untrustworthy of others and probably move on more than I need to. Remember that in all the cases I've mentioned, no one has ever done anything physical, but why hang around to take the risk.... We just need to not let it get us down. That's the key 😁

@offroadrover Ай бұрын

I have a microwave in my small van and have had no issues at all. It draws 1170w and I think it's 700w output. I use a 100a/h power station with a built-in 1300w inverter.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thanks, that's excellent info! I'm really thinking my Giandel inverter is under performing so the most cost effective option for me might be to buy a low power microwave. Let's face it, I'm in no rush for my food to heat up 😁

@letsgo2510 Ай бұрын

Nice video, I am thinking this is van life reality, I am enjoying your travels.Is your van a All Wheel Drive...Cheers

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thanks, I try to keep it real, even if it's boring 😁 My van is only 2WD. I wish there was an affordable AWD version available, but the Mercedes are so expensive.

@ianm5249 Ай бұрын

Thanks for another great post Jason. I was wondering why you decided to go with a Ford transit instead on the usual Mercedes or Fiat?

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Mainly because I worked for Ford and got an employee discount. But that aside, the features you get in a Transit make it really good value for money compared to the others.

@user-ub2mu6iz5y Ай бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces What do you think is too much mileage on a secondhand Ford Transit?

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

There's no clear answer, unfortunately. It all comes down to how the van has been treated through its life, which is really hard to tell. I think you would be best getting a mechanical inspection done on anything you plan to buy.

@michaelmedicworldoftanks33fps 5 күн бұрын

I`ve same things happening to me like I live in my car and put that silver sun shades on my windscreen and it actually glows at night while I am up I use tent light inside and there are people honking their horn, reving engine going past me, sometimes shouting stuff, parking 20m directly opposite of me and just sitting there shining high beams at me while draining their battery, parking behind me reving engine, parking in front of me and just holding foot on brake for 15min shining their red brake lights at me and the list just goes on 😏

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces 5 күн бұрын

It's bizarre how people find a need to do this kind of crap. I guess it just serves to make use more resilient to the rubbish we get thrown at us! 😁

@michaelmedicworldoftanks33fps 5 күн бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces yeah it's unbelievable most hoons find their inner strength with their car engine otherwise they are weak as piss 😌 Friday night is worst when they vent their frustration at us after they just spent 80% of their paycheck on paying rent 😌 I did confront 2 on a carpark once after they just sat behind me reving engine like nuts then they took off and haven't seen them back on that carpark again but to my amazement when I got out I was shocked that it was a girl driver doing it whike her boyfriend was on passenger seat 🤨 both looked about 20 or 21 😌

@interestedinstuff1499 Ай бұрын

I live on the road in a bus and the hoons are a constant issue for me everywhere if I'm in town. Newcastle was the worst for hoons. They even egged my bus in a driveby that a friend told me was a thing they did. Cops didn't turn up to help. Hoons down in Tassie too in Launceston. As soon as it gets to Sunset on a Fri and Sat they turn up. I don't trust them so I generally move.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Yeah, it's not easy thanks to these people. I do the same....just move. Crazy people are too unpredictable 😂

@interestedinstuff1499 Ай бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Yep. The number one animal I don't trust is the humans. Anytime there's young folks and grog I get nervous and move. I don't especially want to get into conflict with them. Getting egged was stressful enough. Stay safe. See you on the road sometime.

@wernerbauer2652 Ай бұрын

Hi Jason, I'm new to the channel and love your videos. Trying to get out more but am finding it hard at times because of the inconsiderate morons out there. I essentially go out camping to get away from people and enjoy the solitude. I'm one of the few who own a 4x4 that's not a knuckle head. Maybe I should have bought a van, because you have a great setup. Do you mind sharing a few favourite quiet spots to camp?.....if not, I get it. Anyway love your tips, off to Bunnings to get me a tap key!

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Yeah, it is very hard to have some peace and quiet, particularly on weekends. So far around the spots I've been to around NSW, I have failed to find anywhere that is reliably quiet. I guess we just have too many people in Aus now 😂. So really, it's just hit and miss. Spots that are quiet one night can be terrible the next. It is unfortunate, and I think the only real solution is for people like us to try not to let it bother us....which is hard!😊

@user-ub2mu6iz5y Ай бұрын

Very enjoyable and lovely photography. Thanks, ? (sorry, I've already forgotten your name!). 👍 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Thanks you, glad you enjoyed it. Jason. 😁

@user-ub2mu6iz5y Ай бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Thanks, Jason.

@Beeannks Ай бұрын

I wouldn’t feel safe camping anywhere in central coast 😅 Port Stephens (1.5hrs away) much nicer here

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

😂 Central coast is probably too close to Sydney! I love Port Stephens too, but no mountain bike parks...that's my biggest issue 🙄

@zwarst Ай бұрын

3:39 Self appointed Social Justice administrator - SAJA for short.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

😂

@MrGundawindy Ай бұрын

Have you tried using your microwave on defrost, or even setting a lower power? Even at home, I rarely use full power on my microwave because they reheat so unevenly. I find defrost on mine (other microwaves I havev owned the defrost was a bit too low power) works much better than full power. I can reheat a full meal for myself in 5-6 minutes on defrost and the food temperature is much more even. In comparison, the same meal would take about 2-2 1/2 minutes on high, but would have some very hot, even overheated parts. The alternatives are a bigger inverter ($$$) or a lower power microwave ($).

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Unfortunately my current microwave isn't and inverter type, which means if you reduce the power, all it does is switch between full power and no power....if that makes sense 😁 Certainly a lower power microwave will do the trick. Might be heading that way.

@MrGundawindy Ай бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces ah, yeh. That's an issue. Well, a new microwave will be cheaper than a bigger inverter. I have a Breville LMO420BLK and it is great not having a turntable. I can't remember what size your inverter is, but it is an 800W microwave that draws 1200W max. I think I paid about $180 But I just googled it and it seems to be on sale at target for $37.25!!!

@MrGundawindy Ай бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces oh. I just read the reviews and it seems to break on a lot of people. I have owned mine for 2 years or so, but I don't know if I can recommend it now with those reviews. Personally, it has been great for me though.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

I'll check it out anyway. If I can get it at that price, it doesn't matter if it only lasts the warranty period 😁 My inverter is 2000W so should be good however I go.

@HammerRocks Ай бұрын

Out of curiousity, what power is your inverter? 1000W or 2000W?

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

It's 2000W. The microwave usually runs at 1650W but has a big start up load, which I think is the problem. I need an inverter microwave, I think...

@kenkellalea329 Ай бұрын

I ride push bike very fast weather permitting

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

😂 that pretty much sums me up!

@ianm5249 Ай бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces what brand of mountain bike do you prefer?

@deecarter147 Ай бұрын

So other people are jerks for honking their horns or making noise in your vicinity for reasons you have no idea of but must surely be directed at you, but you're not a jerk for using a key to unlock anti-vandalism taps that are locked by the local council because they don't want people using them because they're not for public use. Ok bud.

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

Yeah, you're right. I'm just assuming that people that honk and yell abuse are aiming it at me. Perhaps they just drive all around the streets and forests honking and swearing and I'm just over reacting.I have Victimhood Syndrome.....look it up 😁 And on the water issue....you don't need to feel guilty. Anywhere I use a tap is on council property, in places that anyone has free access to water via public toilets and bubblers - the water is intended for free public use. In most places the taps are all auto shut off to stop people leaving them turned on and wasting water. That's why the conventional taps are keyed, to stop people leaving them on. It's all pretty simple 😁

@user-ub2mu6iz5y Ай бұрын

I was just wondering, Jason, do you mind me asking what did you do for a job? You said something about bullies, and I just wondered. 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Ай бұрын

I was a Mechanical Engineer, but had several managerial roles. People are hard, machines are easy 😂

@user-ub2mu6iz5y Ай бұрын

@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Isn't that the truth, Jason?! I don't think I find machines easy either!