By Carina Stathis For Day by day Mail Australia
10:06 17 Dec 2023, up to date 10:42 17 Dec 2023
- Cassandra Jovanovic, 22, has been residing in a Toyota van for 11 months
- However she warned the off-grid life-style won’t be for everybody
Cassandra Jovanovic swapped her life within the metropolis for a dream ‘van life’ journey that is seen her journey to a few of Australia’s most picturesque hidden gems over the previous 11 months.
And whereas photographs of the life-style usually seem glamorous, the 22-year-old from Brisbane instructed FEMAIL the fact is way from it with wild storms, sore limbs and really primary meals making up her typical week.
Earlier than she set off, Cass labored in site visitors management for 12 months the place she saved $30,000 and put it apart for the journey. With financial savings she’d amassed beforehand she purchased a $20,000 2010 Toyota HiAce van and spent $12,000 decking out the within.
Now properly into her journey, Cass spends a mean of $500 every week; her prime bills are petrol, food and drinks, and car-related prices.
She plans to complete her full loop of the nation by March 2024 after which she’ll head again house.
‘Van life seems very picture-perfect on-line and other people do not realise how usually issues go unsuitable,’ she stated.
Her ‘house on wheels’ has damaged down a number of occasions, she’s been cramped contained in the van throughout wild thunderstorms, and has been left with a sore neck from the uncomfortable double mattress within the tiny house.
She will solely grocery store each few days on account of restricted fridge house and has at occasions resorted to consuming tinned spaghetti on bread.
‘With van life you need to change into so nonchalant as a result of issues go unsuitable on a regular basis. You simply cop it on the again and hold transferring,’ she stated.
Cass stated van breakdowns are the ‘worst’. She’s been stranded within the ‘center of nowhere’ at occasions however fortunately she’s had sufficient cellphone reception to name a tow truck.
‘It is actually laborious as a result of clearly you sleep in your van so if it is damaged down you need to strive discover lodging whereas it is on the mechanics,’ she stated.
The car is now serviced after each 10,000km and up to now she’s clocked up greater than 40,000km.
Over the previous 11 months she’s visited each state and territory within the nation apart from Tasmania, which she is going to drive to from Adelaide early subsequent yr.
Beginning in Brisbane, Cass made her approach by Victoria and into South Australia. Then she drove up into the Northern Territory earlier than returning again by Queensland for a fast go to house.
She made her approach north then northwest passing again into the Northern Territory and into Western Australia.
The younger brunette has at all times loved travelling and had plans to go abroad however after Covid hit she determined to discover Down Beneath first.
Her 13-year-old van has a double mattress, miniature fridge, sink, slide-out kitchen bench with a stovetop, storage, a small desk, Wi-Fi, and a battery system.
Nevertheless it does not have a bathe or bathroom so Cass must make street stops, often at aquatic centres or small cities. To wash her garments she makes use of public laundry companies.
The kitchen lacks an oven as a result of house and so the meals she will put together are restricted.
At 182cm tall. Cass is not capable of sit upright on the mattress, which she finds annoying at occasions, however is happy with the compact format general.
Life on the street may be lonely at occasions – however she says that is simply the fact of solo journey.
‘I feel it is a regular factor to really feel lonely. I am on my own 99 per cent of the time however I’ve had family members come go to me, my sister got here and stayed for 2 to a few weeks,’ she stated.
‘I do get homesick however I feel it occurs to most travellers who’re away for such lengthy time period. I visited Brisbane six months into the journey earlier than heading to Queensland and I am flying again for Christmas.’
All through the final 11 months she’s additionally met numerous different solo travellers on excursions and at campsites.
However Cass admitted at first she was just a little afraid of being alone.
‘The primary evening I used to be petrified as a result of I hadn’t adjusted to the brand new environment but,’ she recalled. ‘The advantage of van life is when you really feel unsafe, you possibly can simply drive away to a different location, which I do if wanted.’
Whereas on the street she’s gained an Instagram following of greater than 202,000 and has been capable of fund a few of her travels with model offers.
She’s been skydiving, paid for excursions, visited Uluru, and needs to swim with sharks in South Australia.
When requested what recommendation she’d give to others eager to strive residing on the street, Cass stated: ‘For those who’re on the fence, perhaps do not soar straight into it like I did – do weekend journeys first to see when you prefer it.’
Subsequent yr she hopes to journey round New Zealand in a van, however might have to avoid wasting further funds first.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.