Crafting My Mobile Home
The Van Conversion
Arriving at the WWOOFing place in Kurrajong, it dawned on me just how huge Australia is. Without my own transport, I was limited to wherever public buses or trains could reach, stuck on tiny green islands of possibility. Hostels were too expensive, and I craved freedom. The obvious solution was a van—something I’d never seriously planned before, but now seemed like the only way forward.
Getting funds in order became the first obstacle. I initially aimed for a 10,000 AUD budget, transferring money from Belgium and upping my bank limits. But reality hit hard: I’d likely need more. Borrowing some money from my parents, I also decided to get a pre-purchase inspection (+-300 AUD) on any van I considered. Trusting a stranger’s word felt risky for such a big investment.
I ended up with a 2008 Toyota HiAce—10,500 AUD, about 270,000 km on the clock, no service logbooks, but a gut feeling that this was the one. The buying process was surreal: renting a car, driving on the left side of the road, checking multiple vans without knowing much about engines, and hoping I wouldn’t get ripped off. When I finally handed over the cash and got the keys, I felt a thrilling mix of excitement and fear. I drove back to the farm, still nervous about shifting gears with my left hand, but I managed.
The next challenge was turning this empty shell into a home. Five hours in the garden each morning for my WWOOF duties, then five hours in the afternoon wrestling with insulation, plywood, and a million tiny decisions. I created a rough roadmap in my journal—clean and treat rust, insulate, cover walls and floor, install a skylight, build a bed. It looked simple on paper, but hardware stores revealed an overwhelming universe of screws, timbers, and varnishes. Every choice seemed to multiply into ten more.
Costs piled up: 3,750 AUD for building materials, IKEA essentials, and camping gear. Another 940 AUD for roadside assistance, insurance, and registration. A big mistake—putting the wrong type of fuel in the tank—cost me another 660 AUD. By the end, I’d spent around 16,600 AUD (roughly 10,000 EUR). Far more than I expected, but this was the price of genuine freedom: no hostel bookings, no waiting for the next bus, just me and my van.
Cutting the skylight was a defining moment. Carving into the roof felt like crossing a line, no turning back. But I did it. I sealed it up, prayed for no rain, and stood back to admire the transformation. The bed build was another triumph of patience and math—carefully measured drawers and supports that, to my amazement, fit perfectly. Each small win fueling my confidence and the end coming closer.
Information overload was constant. Anna, Jasmine, and Ali offered different opinions, YouTube and forums suggested a dozen methods for every step, and my own brain wanted to shut down after a long day’s work. In the end, I had to trust myself. I learned to embrace uncertainty, make a call, and move on. Not everything would be perfect, but it would be mine.
When I finally stepped back and looked at my finished van, I saw more than plywood and insulation. I saw resilience, problem-solving, and the courage to build something from scratch. With the van ready, I could roll out of Kurrajong and explore Australia on my terms—Sydney to Melbourne, Melbourne to Adelaide, and beyond. After weeks of effort and endless decisions, I’d created a home on wheels, ready to carry me into the unknown.
From the Journals: Notes Along the Way
“1. Prep: Clean, cover holes, sand rust, anti-rust. 2. Framework: Measure, cut, attach. 3. Insulation… 4. Panelling… 5. Bed & Seating… Figure out :)”
“Insurance puzzle: AAMI, NRMA, QBE. Maybe just third party?”
“Anxious about the skylight. Need to order it before doing the ceiling. In the meantime, work on the bed.”
“Sold the rubber floor mat and shelving—score! Every bit counts.”
These snippets capture the behind-the-scenes thought process. They remind me that while the journey felt chaotic and uncertain, it was propelled by small steps, trial-and-error, and a willingness to learn as I went.
ps. check out the YouTube video I made on the Van Conversion