Multi-Continent Vanlifers: 80,000 Kilometers Across Australia and Beyond

We’re Nigel and Sue—currently living life on the road and loving every moment. Our vanlife journey started in Brisbane, Australia, though Nigel is originally from New Zealand. Back in 2018-2019, Sue stumbled across videos of people traveling through South America in vans while researching for a trip. That sparked an obsession. Fast forward to 2020 when COVID changed the world, we found ourselves grounded. With international travel off the table, we pivoted to exploring our backyard—Australia—by converting a van and hitting the road.

The Van: Building Our Home on Wheels

Choosing the Van

Within weeks of deciding to embrace vanlife, we bought a 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter—rare as hen’s teeth in Australia, as they say. Luckily, we snagged it before the COVID-induced price hikes. It was the perfect choice for our needs: spacious enough for comfort yet rugged for off-road adventures.

The Conversion Process

The conversion was a crash course in DIY. Over five to six months, we transformed the van ourselves, barring legal requirements like electrical and gas installations. Nigel was the hands-on builder, while Sue managed the project and painted. YouTube became our university, guiding us through every step, from plumbing diagrams to cabinetry. The journey wasn’t without its mishaps—Nigel even had a near-miss with a power tool that landed him in the hospital!

Despite the challenges, we powered through, designing every detail to meet our needs. From under-bed storage for mountain bikes and kite-surfing gear to creature comforts like a toilet, shower, and standing room, we ensured our van was as functional as it was comfortable.

Lessons Learned

One major lesson? Plan meticulously. 

Our mantra is Measure 20 times and cut once.

Half our time went into researching and sketching ideas. Another takeaway was flexibility. For instance, we later realized we hadn’t accounted for installing an awning, which meant ripping out part of the ceiling and overhead shelves post-build. It was a classic case of learning as we went, but those lessons became the foundation for our next chapter.

Life on the Road: Australia vs. Europe

After completing our Australian van build and spending three and a half years exploring the country, covering 80,000 kilometers, life took a turn. Nigel’s job as a helicopter pilot brought him to the Middle East, and we started looking toward Europe. Transitioning from Australia’s vast, open landscapes to Europe’s dense historical towns brought a whole new set of challenges and adventures.

In Australia, we’d fill the tank three times just driving between one town and another over a couple of days because it’s so vast. If you drive 300 kilometers in Europe, it’s a really big day of driving, and you’ve probably gone through a couple of countries.

Our current setup includes a smaller, factory-built van with a quick two-week upgrade to make it more off-grid friendly. We added 400 watts of solar, a 200-amp-hour lithium battery, and a compressor fridge—essentials for extended stays off the grid. But the European experience is more urban, with security concerns leading us to stay in camper stops or campsites.

A Typical Day in Vanlife

In Europe, our days blend exploration with practicality. A driving day might involve a morning tea, a short trip to a historic village, and leisurely exploration before moving on. We often rely on shuttles to access tight old-town streets. Public transport is another game-changer compared to Australia. When bad weather strikes, as it did recently in southern Italy, we adapt by staying in and planning our next adventure.

How to Succeed as a Vanlife Couple

Living in a confined space as a couple definitely has its challenges. In a van, there’s no escaping to separate rooms when you need space or time to yourself. Communication becomes so important—you have to be able to talk things through and be patient with each other. 

Understanding and tolerance are key. You really have to work together as a team to make it work.

We’ve found small ways to create personal space when needed. For example, we have a little partition between the bedroom and the main living area. If one of us needs some downtime, we’ll go sit on the bed while the other uses the living area. It’s not much, but it helps. Living in such a small space isn’t always easy, but we’ve made it work, and it’s definitely brought us closer together as a couple.

Tips and Advice for Vanlife Success

Hacks for the Road

• Minimize Possessions: Travel light and only carry what you need.
• Be Water-Wise: Water is often the limiting factor, not electricity. Short showers and efficient dishwashing are key.
• Communication for couples: Living in tight quarters requires patience, understanding, and the ability to compromise.

Advice for Aspiring Vanlifers

Before committing, consider renting a van to test the lifestyle. It’s not all Instagram-worthy sunsets and beachfront campsites. There are challenges, from confined living spaces to unpredictable weather. If you love it, though, it’s incredibly rewarding.

Future Plans: What’s Next?

Our European adventure is slated for three years, but even that feels too short. Looking ahead, we dream of an expedition-style vehicle to explore Africa, Central Asia, and South America. 

There’s a lot of world to see, and we’re not getting any younger.

Vanlife has become a way of life for us, and we plan to continue exploring the world’s hidden gems for years to come.

Follow Our Journey

If you’d like to keep up with us, check out our YouTube channel, Nigel and Sue Adventures, where we share weekly videos about vanlife and travel. You can also visit our website, NigelAndSueAdventures.com, for more updates.

• Website: https://nigelandsueadventures.com/
• Instagram: @nas_adventures
• YouTube: @nigelandsueadventures
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nigelsueadventures