Top 5 Tips for Starting Vanlife

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or going full-time, these five tips will hopefully make your transition a bit easier!

1️⃣ Ease Into It – Test the Waters First

One of the biggest mistakes first-time vanlifers make? Going all in without testing their setup first.

Before you commit to full-time vanlife, take your van on a few short trips. A couple of overnighters or weekend getaways will help you figure out:

• What gear you actually need vs. what just takes up space

• If your bed is comfortable (trust me, sleep is everything on the road)

• How your van handles different conditions—heat, cold, rain

• What’s missing from your setup (spoiler: there’s always something)

It’s so much better to learn these lessons close to home than when you’re 1,000km away with a dodgy setup and no plan B.

2️⃣ You Don’t Need the ‘Perfect’ Setup

A huge myth about vanlife? That you need everything sorted before you leave.

Truth is, you’ll figure out what you actually need as you go. I can’t tell you how many things I’ve picked up on the road that I never even thought of before—like extra storage bins, a better power setup, or even something as simple as a better frying pan.

Start with the basics, hit the road, and tweak things as you go. Your setup will evolve with you, and that’s part of the fun!

3️⃣ Follow the Seasons

If you’re doing vanlife for more than a few weeks, one of the best pieces of advice I can give is: chase the sun!

Here in Australia, most vanlifers follow the seasons:
☀️ Head north in winter to soak up the warmth in Queensland, the NT, and northern WA
🍂 Stay south in summer when places like Tasmania, Victoria, and SA are at their best

Why? Because wind, rain, and freezing nights in a van? Not a vibe. Bad weather can turn even the best setup into a nightmare. Following the seasons means you’ll be more comfortable, your van will function better, and you’ll get the most out of your adventures.

4️⃣ Be Your Own Best Mate

Vanlife can be incredibly freeing—but it can also be lonely.

There will be days, sometimes weeks, where it’s just you and the open road. So, learning to enjoy your own company is key. Find hobbies that make you happy—reading, journaling, yoga, surfing, playing an instrument—whatever fills your cup.

Solo time is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. I’ll do a whole separate blog on dealing with isolation on the road, but for now—just know that embracing your own company will make your vanlife experience so much richer.

5️⃣ Keep It Real & Don’t Compare Your Journey

Let’s talk about the biggest vanlife trap—comparing your journey to others.

Social media makes vanlife look like it’s all golden sunsets, cute setups, and beachside campsites. And yeah, sometimes it is like that! But there are also:
🌧️ Days of nonstop rain where everything feels damp
🛠️ Breakdowns, flat tires, and unexpected expenses
🧼 Messy vans, limited showers, and bad campsites

Just because you don’t see people posting about the tough moments doesn’t mean they’re not going through them too. Vanlife is about freedom—so live your dream, not someone else’s.

Final Thoughts

Starting vanlife isn’t about having the perfect setup or an Instagram-worthy journey. It’s about getting out there, learning as you go, and making the most of the freedom vanlife offers.

So, take it slow, be kind to yourself, and embrace the adventure—ups, downs, and everything in between.