I spent six months travelling the country in a van, this is what it taught me

This Gold Coast grandmother loves hitting the road in her van because it gives her a sense of freedom. Now, she's helping others do the same.

Gold Coast grandmother Jodie Cockerill has driven solo around Australia and loves the adventures of van life so much she’s urging us all to take it up. This is how she travels: 

I travel to…

Have a sense of freedom. I took six months off work and did a solo lap of Australia in a campervan. It was incredible.

Travelling down the coast of Western Australia was amazing – there were so many beautiful places, Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo being favourites. Road trips give you such a sense of freedom and you meet so many wonderful people. 

I loved it so much I started my business when I got home because I wanted to be able to keep my campervan but I could not afford to have it sitting in the driveway. So, I started renting it out on Camplify when I wasn’t using it. 

Once I saw the potential, I bought another van and since then two more. I looked at the business as a way to retire as I don’t have enough super. This way I could have the vans, work part time and still have an income.

Driving is my favourite mode of transport because...

It gives me the freedom to really explore an area.

I plan the trip…

Myself. I often have an idea of where I want to go and use Google Maps to help me plan the route. I am now using ChatGPT to help me plan road trips as well.

Inside my suitcase you will always find…

Mozzie spray. So many places I look to go have the worst sandflies.

The first thing I do when I hit the road is…

I always get this feeling of “Here we go, Spirit (my van), off on another adventure.” I talk to Spirit, which I know is pretty weird, but we have done a lot together.

My favourite travel companions are…

My grandkids, because they get so excited when we go camping. I have six and they love their campervan adventures. I always try to find a campground where we can have a campfire. If it also has animals and somewhere to swim, that’s a perfect combination for the kids. There are some great places around the Gold Coast; one of the kids’ favourites is Thunderbird Park at Tamborine Mountain.

My packing style is...

Super-organised. I pack everything into travel cubes to save space and keep my van tidy. When you are living in a small space, you don’t want to be having to keep moving stuff around to find things.

On the road I dress…

For comfort 100 per cent. I always choose loose, comfy clothes, especially if I have a long day’s drive ahead.

My preferred roadside meal is…

At the end of the day I finish off with a glass of wine and make a little charcuterie board.

The hack that saves me hundreds is…

Camping in national parks or using Hipcamp, which has the largest collection of private campsites, caravan parks, cabins, and glamping sites.

I always use public transport in…

Melbourne. I don’t like driving in the CBD because I just don’t get hook turns.

The destination that offers best bang for my buck is…

Lane Cove National Park in Sydney. It’s only about a 900m walk to North Ryde train station and from there you can get a train to Central in 20 minutes. It costs about $60 per night, which is super-cheap for its location.

My best tip for saving on van life expenses is…

Think about where you want to go and try not to backtrack too much as fuel is one of the biggest expenses. Also, find the local supermarket when you arrive in a new town and buy your groceries there. Eating takeaway or eating out will chew through your budget. That’s the beauty of campervanning – you can carry what you need with you.

The travel app I swear by is…

WikiCamps, for finding and planning camping trips.

I stay in caravan parks when...

I need to do washing or want a long shower. They are often in a prime location, especially in coastal towns. My pick is Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park at South West Rocks.

Jodie Cockerill’s campervans are available for hire at goldcoastcampervanhire.com.au

Originally published as I spent six months travelling the country in a van, this is what it taught me