Fulltime Vanlife in Newcastle and surrounding mountains, Australia
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- Continuing on from my last video on the Watagans, this episode kicks off with me getting a flat tyre in the middle of the bush. Once that was sorted out, I headed down to Hunter Lookout and MacLeans Lookout, before deciding to spend the night at Hunter Lookout.
After a quick stop in at Heaton Lookout, I headed down the hill for another bike ride at Awaba Mountain Bike Park. After lunch it was back to the city for supplies as I went down to Speers Point and Warners Bay for the evening.
After getting my flat tyre replaced, I decided to head to the coast to check out Glenrock State Conservation Area, which coincidentally, also has mountain bike trails. From there the day ends in Merewether, admiring the amazing views of the ocean as the sun goes down and the full moon comes up.
Keep an ear open for some of my vanlifer tips, recommendations and general experiences throughout the video.
About me:
My name's Jason. I worked as Mechanical Engineer until mid 2023 when I was made redundant. Never one to miss an opportunity to have more fun in my life, I decided to move out of my house and started living full time in my self converted Ford Transit campervan. I pass my days mountain biking, bush walking and generally exploring the beautiful natural attractions that Australia has to offer.
Solo Fulltime Vanlife vlog
Chapters:
0:00 Traversing the Watagans
0:18 Hunter Lookout
0:39 MacLeans Lookout
2:00 Night parking spot
4:28 Morning discussion
6:37 Finding the exit
9:35 Heaton Lookout
10:03 Awaba MTP Park
13:50 Drive in to Speers Point
14:53 Warner Bay sunset
15:55 Carpark wake up
18:19 Water fill up
20:35 Tyre replacement
21:54 Lunch at Glenrock
26:04 Glenrock MTB Park
28:04 Merewether sunset
![[228] The day alone in the car on a rainy day. | Solo Car Camping |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2bAQCdPsoto/mqdefault.jpg)
![MURDER DRONES Series Finale [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/p6mhC5Iatns/mqdefault.jpg)
If your in Newcastle a good night stop is in King Edward Park. I use it often, it has the best ocean views too😊
Yep....wait for the next video 😁
Terrific video Jason. Your POV footage of your mountain bike runs truly had my head spinning. Great way to keep fit during van life. Also, your footage of those very scenic views is always great. Thanks for your efforts and stay safe. Cheers, Sean.
Thanks Sean. I definitely need to ride more and try to build up my fitness again!
Awesome. You did well to get your van to Hunter and MacCleans Lookouts. I frequent that area on two wheels and Hunter Lookout is my favourite spot. Realty enjoying your content.
Thanks Charles.
I was lucky that all the main roads seem to have been recently graded. Didn't save my tyre though 😂
Believe it but I recently drove my 2 wheel drive Hiace up that track you didn't go down 😅
Nice work! It would have been a bumpy ride 😂
Thanks Mr Blue.
My pleasure, Lisa😁
A tip for the pot sliding on the induction stove, I've seen people use a heat proof oven silicone mat under the corner of the pot. It grips.
Thanks Lynette. I actually bought one last week. Haven't tried it yet but have high hopes! 😁
Great video Jason thank you.
You shouldn't feel guilty about sleeping in your van on the street over night mate. From all the states in Australia, Qld is the only state where they've made it illegal to sleep in a vehicle on a public road. As long as you've parked safe and legal you can relax and enjoy your night.
Safe travels BLUEY!
😁 thanks mate! I do my best to make sure I don't annoy anyone.
I’ve parked at Mona Vale and do a lot of street parking around Sydney and I definitely have my lights on at night. Trick is for daytime tinted windows to stop prying eyes. At night good window covers that don’t have any light leaks so from the outside you just look like a parked van and no one can tell your inside. I’ve been doing it close to 3.5 years and no problems or knocks. I travel with a dog so it’s not like I’m not coming and going either. I just avoid heavy traffic paths and don’t park outside houses and I don’t stick to the arrive after dark leave early principle either because parking in quieter spots means I don’t really risk people worrying about me being there.
That's definitely the right way to do it. Having the mindset if not trying to upset anyone goes a long way, I think. It's really just about being respectful. Good work!😊
Thank you for preventing a bush fire Jason. Such irresponsible people😠
To be fair, it was an Indian family so probably not aware. With the volume of immigration these days, we probably need to have these public service ads again.... particularly "Do the right thing"!
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces fair enough. You are very empathetic.
I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.... sometimes 😂
Thank you again for the beautiful sea views and those little birds where so sweet , what a lovely song they sing
Just cooking my lunch now and those Magpies are coming inside the van trying to get food scraps 😂
Awesome as always looking forward to seeing those places again when I move back to Australia plus weather be warmer lol
Thanks William. We're certainly getting some beautiful days even though it's winter 😁
Thanks for sharing another great adventure. Such a beautiful sunset at Warner Bay too.
Thanks Allie 😊
Nice video Jason. Fantastic views from those lookouts and carparks, best 9f both worlds, Bush and Beach. I recently bought new tyres for my Transit Custom, $230 each, ouch! ...you did well. I must be getting used to the MB footage, didn't have to turn my head away, as much 🙂 Yeah I always get out and walk any rutted/tight tracks and go around the next bend just to make sure. Ohhh to have a 4x4 van! Thanks for the vid.
Thanks Pauline. The same brand tyre as the originals was $250, so I told them to give me the cheapest they have 😂
I'm trying to use a different camera settings now for the riding shots...it's less likely to make people feel sick watching it....I hope 😁
And yeah....shame we don't get the 4x4 Transit in Australia!
Nice video. I grew up in Warners Bay, live 10 minutes from Glenrock and often run in the Watagans, so great to see you showcase my backyard 👏👏
Certainly a beautiful place to be! Thanks for watching 😊
Another great video!
You were in my local area at Speers Point. One of my best investments for the cold was getting an outdoor oodie. I love sitting with the door open right up till I go to bed so the oodie has been a game changer & allowed me to do that even in winter. It’s definitely worth it if you can afford it in your budget, though I imagine there’ll be no treats for a while after the tyre replacement lol. I just spent 2 more nights in Newcastle & loved sitting all night with the door open watching the moon rise on the water. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your adventure in Newy!
Thanks Sally. I think you can see your van in the next video 😂
I think in a few weeks I'm going to drive further north... hopefully solve all my cold weather issues 😁
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces That’s a great idea. Wish I could do the same!
One day you will. I did weekend trips like you do for years as well. It's still great to get out there 😊
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces yes I love getting out there any way I can. My daughter only has 2 more years of high school left & then I’m hoping I’ll have a bit more freedom to wander. Fingers crossed 🤞
Another good episode. Looked like a great ride on the MTB. You handled those corners well. Have you considered investing on a set of TPMS? Even the cheap ones from Amazon or eBay work well. But try and get a better reputable brand. I recommend the ones that have a solar powered main unit. No need to have wires plugged in for power. And if you're going to frequently venture off the bitumen, I'd also recommend getting a tyre puncture repair kit and an air compressor.
I was thinking the same thing...TPMS would have saved me the cost of the tyre. Given that I really couldn't tell that anything was wrong, I'm thinking it might be a good idea.
8 minute mark is why I am building a 4X4 camper van. 🤣
Yep! It would certainly give a little more flexibility.
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces yes, but my one is only going to be for short trips away, not living in on a long term basis. 👍
The Hunter Valley vineyards are just below those lookouts. You drove past our property to access the Watagan state forest
Pretty good place to live, I think 😊
Unfortunately, I don't drink alcohol, so that rules out wineries, but also saved a lot of money 😂
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Same here, we don't drink alcohol, so whenever we plan for areas that are famous for vineyards/wineries, we'd just pass them and go to other places. But yes, saved a lot of money 😄
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces not 'unfortunately', merely a personal choice, no need to explain to anyone!
Thanks Bettie. You wouldn't believe the looks I get when people find out I don't drink and never have 😂
Love Kookaburras 😊
Me too. I don't think I've ever seen that many together before 😁
Hi just a not I live on a yacht and I have the same cooker as you do and to stop the movement of the pan I use a silicone mats just put it on electric stove and then place pan on it no more sliding 😊
That's an excellent idea! I'll have to pick one up, thanks. 😊
Were you in Coles at Warner’s bay when you were there, as my friend reckons it was you they saw. And I said nah wouldn’t be, but then you realease video from warners bay
😂 I must have a very common face. A few people have thought they've seen me now.
No, didn't drop in to Coles. 😊
Woo hoo I won, the no beanie won it for me lol
@user-vw4pl2ij8z 😂😂
I am sure you have probably explained it 1 or 2 times but can you make a video on why you have installed 2 ceiling fans in such a small space? and any footage on their installation.
I do have an installation video in my channel. If you look for the playlist on van build or just go way back in time on my videos, it's the second video of my van build.
I have 2 fans for ventilation, but only needed one fan and one vent as I rarely turn on both fans. Normally I have the back fan on exhaust, and open the front hatch to let the air in. You need to have cross flow and I don't want side windows open when I'm not in the van, or even when I'm sleeping.
ruclips.net/video/Ckz6GJX-xBI/видео.html
I always want to know other's thought about having cold breakfast during Winter. I personally prefer warm breakfast, but recently I need to eat some particular food to "adjust" my health and that includes yoghurt 🥴 How about you? Is it your all seasons' choice of breakfast? Or just because of convenience? 😅
Either Weet bix or muesli, with a banana and yoghurt. It's just no fuss. I enjoy it enough that I don't want to invest the effort in preparing anything else 😁
Sometimes I like French toast or a Chinese pancake with scrambled egg, but haven't bothered with that since I've been in the van.
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Understand what you mean.
I used to have Weetbix too and during Winter, I'd have few pieces with a bowl of warm milk 😋
French Toast is yum, but a bit of preparation 😓
Chinese pancake? Did you mean Chinese scallion pancake? That's the only Chinese pancake I know of 😅 They're yum and good for Winter, but a bit too oily for my current health 😮💨
@GiGiWellness28 Yes, same as the scallion pancake, just without the scallions. It's essentially a roti. I cook them in my sandwich press without oil, so not too oily 😁
Was that view in the Watagans?
It was, yes. If you put the place names from the video into Google Maps, it should find the exact spot.