Van Life In Australia: How To Balance Work And Travel On The Road

Hey there fellow travellers! I’m Annemarie, a digital nomad who left Germany almost 12 years ago to travel this wild, whacky and wonderful world. I have been working remotely for the past 5 years and let me tell you, I have every trick in the book on how to make this nomadic lifestyle work! And I’m here to share these hacks, tips and tricks on how to navigate working while travelling with you! 

Is it easy? No. Would I have it any other way? No. It just takes time to adjust and adapt, but once you get into the groove of things, it is so worth it! 

My Experience As a Digital Nomad In Australia

I have spent the last few months living and working in a van while travelling along Australia's East Coast. I have driven as far north as Cairns and as far south as Sydney. I've spent time sailing through the Whitsundays, and exploring the rugged K'gari (Fraser Island). All while working my full-time job online!

It can be hard to stick to a routine while on the road but it helps to try and incorporate some sort of normality into the lifestyle to give yourself a bit of structure. There will be challenging times (like when the wifi doesn’t connect or the van breaks down) BUT these experiences are all a part of it, and learning how to adapt is key! Forcing yourself out of your comfort zone will teach you how to deal with unexpected changes.

In these stressful moments, I think we need to remind ourselves of why we are actually choosing this lifestyle. I’m on the road to gain valuable life experience, see new and beautiful places, immerse myself in diverse cultures, and connect with people, as well as myself. 

Tips On How To Balance Work And Travel While Living In A Van

Travelling in Australia in a van while working at the same time can feel overwhelming but I'm here to break it down for you. First of all, it depends on whether you work full or part-time, and whether you have fixed or flexible hours. Both have pros and cons. Flexibility is great, but if you struggle with discipline, it’s hard to find a routine on the road. Ask yourself if you want a routine or not. Is this important to you? How do you deal with last minute changes? Some people need structure, some don’t. I thought I wouldn't, but sometimes the German in me comes out and I get stressed if I don’t have a plan. 

So, how do we get a little bit of a structure on the road? 

1. Plan work days and adventure days

Structure your week so that you have set days for adventurous activities, and set days for work. To ensure you don't miss out on the top things to do in each East Coast destination you visit, book tours in advance. This also gives you something to look forward to if you've spent a few days in a row stuck behind your laptop! 

2. Use apps to stay organised

There are really useful apps that I use such as Trello, Asana, Milanote. These help you to balance your work tasks, as well as plan your outside of work activities! You can set reminders, add notes, images and links to destinations you would like to visit.

3. Take advantage of early mornings

I love waking up with the sunrise as it’s such a beautiful, quiet time. I love to use the mornings as ‘me’ time which I can’t recommend more. It’s the perfect time to get your steps in, do a workout, go for a hike, or meditate before you start work. If your work is flexible you might even be able to get work done first thing then you have the afternoon for some fun activities. 

4. Prioritise connectivity

There’s nothing more annoying than patchy wifi. Be sure to research places with reliable Wi-Fi, or at least plan around areas with strong mobile reception. Co-working spaces and campgrounds usually offer reliable internet. To ensure your destination does have internet, I recommend giving those places a call and requesting an internet speed test! 

5. Optimise your workspace

Invest in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot (even Starlink if it's available to you), portable chargers, noise-cancelling headphones, and maybe even a second screen. This way you can stay focused from just about anywhere - whether it's a noisy cafe or a loud campground!

Overall, the most important thing is to embrace being on the road and the flexibility it brings with it, despite any disruption you may face. Look after yourself while on the road, create healthy habits, stay present, and be sure to have FUN! 

Feeling inspired to travel the East Coast too? 

Check out our plethora of East Coast itineraries where you can travel like Annemarie! Chat to our local travel agents to book in your trip today!