TASMAN TRAVELS

8 years on the road and 5 very different set ups. It doesn’t matter what rig you start with to get on the road, just do it, you won’t regret it. 8 years ago we quit our jobs and sold everything in the UK to start vanlife in @australia We bought a 1998 @fordaustralia Transit named Muriel and toured for 2 years, we did the ‘big lap’ up the guts and @tasmania No air con in the van was a challenge along with no shower and basic features, but we had an absolute blast and loved it! We couldn’t get rid of the travel bug, so after a quick trip back home, we decided on @purenewzealand now our home, and toured in a pop-top 1997 @toyota_nz Hiace, named ‘Queenie’ for around 2 years. This van had no heating, limited water and power, still no shower, but at least we could stand up inside the van with the pop top. We upgraded to a 2015 @mercedesbenznz Sprinter van, named ‘Matilda’ our dream rig at the time, with all the mod cons we had always wanted. This was our first van with heating, and a full bathroom with a shower. For the first time we had a bed that stayed made up all the time. We absolutely adored this van. After our honeymoon in Vietnam, and coming back to a cold NZ, we quickly realised we needed more space so decided to make the switch to a caravan. We bought a 2024 Jayco All-Terrain Off-Grid X, named ‘Estevan’ with a @fordnz Ranger Tremor. Changing to a caravan was the best thing we have done on the road, it meant that we could go off and leave our home at a campsite without having to pack everything up. The Jayco was available straight away off the forecourt at the time so was chosen out of convenience but we always craved more. Skip to today, we have a custom built 2025 @australiscaravansnz High Country Xtreme, our absolute dream rig, totally off grid and off road enabling us to get to and stay longer in remote locations. We put into this rig everything that we had always wanted and learnt about over our time on the road. After 6 months of living full time in this rig, we couldn’t be happier. Not only does it have all the features to make life on the road as comfortable as possible, but it looks dam fine, inside and out, which matters. What’s next?

Right.

They’re going to judge you either way, so you may as well do what you want to do. #tasmantravels #australiscaravans #newzealand #vanlife #caravanlife Australis Brand Ambassador

L.O.V.E

“How about a nice view? Somewhere to sit back, take it all in, maybe sneak in a little nap and a good chat.” Ok, swipe > 📍 Lake Ruataniwha Freedom Camp

The coast off of @kaikouranz never fails! 🐬 And we were the required distance away. Zoom on @dji is an amazing thing. #tasmantravels #nature #ocean #dronephotography #newzealand

@purenewzealand only star gazing & hot pools tour @tekaposprings @laketekaponz @nz_mackenzie Photos do not do this magical experience justice. Take it, live it, book it. Use code: TASMANTRAVELS for money off your Soak & Stars Premium ticket. You’ll be lost in the stars. ✨ #nightskyphotography #starynight #stargazing #nightphotography

@omaramatop10 is a gem in the @waitaki_nz It’s a peaceful, cool, kinda like ol’ scool kiwi camp vibes, with modern facilities and with real sense of space, the perfect base to explore @nz_mackenzie andthe Clay Cliffs (though they were closed for us this time!), or to try world-class gliding, next time ha. The park itself is so relaxing, definitely worth a stop. And don’t miss Boots and Jandals for dinner afterward!

Link in bio.

Where to next?!? #tasmantravels #newzealand #caravaning

Our second time with @ecozip_adventures and it won’t be the last!!! Took the parents along! They had a blast!!! When in @kaikouranz this one’s worth stepping off the edge for!!! #TASMANTRAVELS #newzealand #kaikoura #adventure #familyfun

📍 Lowburn Harbour Freedom Camp, overlooking Lake Dunstan! @cromwellcentralotago 🌅 We always, always, stay here when we’re in @centralotagonz It’s a stunning spot, right on the lake, and one of the real perks of it being free is that it means we’ve got extra cash to spend supporting local cafés, wineries and businesses in the area. In six years of touring NZ, we’ve never had this happen before… We left our @australiscaravansnz and the folks @soel_outdoors parked up while we popped over to @arrowtownnz in the ute. Our @blink CCTV pinged, someone was right up next to the van. We politely asked them (through the speaker 😅) to move away. When we returned… there was a letter waiting. (See photo 4.) We were already planning to leave that day anyway. But here’s the strange part: the notice said we had four hours to vacate from the time it was issued. Without CCTV, we’d have had no idea when that clock started ticking. We absolutely agree people shouldn’t take the mickey with freedom camping. Rules are there for a reason. But this seems a bit much, reads a bit heavy, don’t you think? Keen to hear your thoughts.

Well. We all has a blast! 😆