I saved $30,000 and quit my job to travel around Australia on a dream ‘van life’ adventure: It looks glamorous but here’s what it’s really like

Cassandra Jovanovic traded her city life for a dream trip that has seen her spend the past eleven months traveling to some of Australia's most picturesque hidden gems.

And while photos of the lifestyle often look glamorous, the 22-year-old from Brisbane told FEMAIL the reality is far from that, with wild storms, aching limbs and very simple meals making up her typical week.

Before leaving, Cass worked in traffic control for twelve months, saving and putting aside $30,000 for the trip. With the savings she had collected in advance, she bought a 2010 Toyota HiAce van worth €20,000 and spent €12,000 on the inside.

Now well into her adventure, Cass spends an average of $500 per week; her biggest expenses are gas, food and drinks, and car-related costs.

She plans to complete her full tour of the country in March 2024 and then return home.

“Vans life looks very picture-perfect online and people don't realize how often things go wrong,” she said.

Her 'house on wheels' has broken down several times, she has been cramped in the van during heavy thunderstorms and has suffered a sore neck from the uncomfortable double mattress in the small space.

She can only go grocery shopping every few days due to limited refrigerator space and has sometimes resorted to eating canned spaghetti on bread.

The 22-year-old bought the used van for $20,000 and she paid professionals $12,000 to unpack the inside

Starting in Brisbane, Cass made his way through Victoria to South Australia. She then drove into the Northern Territory before returning via Queensland for a quick visit home. She made her way north and then northwest, returning to the Northern Territory and Western Australia

'At Van Life you have to be so nonchalant, because things always go wrong. You just grab it on your back and keep moving,” she said.

Cass said van failures are the “worst”. She's occasionally stranded in the middle of nowhere, but luckily she has enough phone reception to call a tow truck.

“It's very difficult because obviously you sleep in your van, so if it's broken down you have to try to find somewhere to stay while it's with the mechanics,” she said.

The vehicle is now serviced every 10,000 km and so far she has driven over 40,000 km.

Over the past eleven months she has visited every state and territory in the country, except Tasmania, where she will drive from Adelaide early next year.

Starting in Brisbane, Cass made his way through Victoria to South Australia. She then drove into the Northern Territory before returning via Queensland for a quick visit home.

She made her way north and then northwest, returning to the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Over the past eleven months she has visited every state and territory in the country, except Tasmania, where she will drive from Adelaide early next year. She is currently in Western Australia

'At Van Life you have to be so nonchalant, because things always go wrong. You just grab it on your back and keep moving,” Cass said

The young brunette has always loved traveling and had plans to go abroad, but after Covid hit she decided to explore Down Under first.

Her 13-year-old van has a double bed, miniature fridge, sink, extendable kitchen bench with hob, storage space, a small table, WiFi and a battery system.

But there is no shower or toilet, so Cass has to stop along the way, usually at aquatic centers or small towns. She uses a public laundry service to clean her clothes.

The kitchen lacks an oven due to space constraints, which limits the meals she can prepare.

With a height of 182 cm. Cass cannot sit upright on the bed, which she sometimes finds annoying, but is generally happy with the compact layout.

Cass spent $20,000 on the 2010 Toyota HiAce and $12,000 on the inside. Before traveling, Cass worked in traffic control for twelve months and saved $30,000

Now she spends an average of $500 a week. Her biggest expenses are gas, food and drinks, and car expenses

The 13-year-old van contains a double bed, a miniature fridge, a sink, an extendable kitchen bench with a hob, storage space, a small table and WiFi. But there is no shower or toilet

Life on the road can be lonely at times, but she says that's just the reality of solo travel.

'I think it's normal to feel lonely. I am alone 99 percent of the time, but I have had loved ones visit, my sister came and stayed for two to three weeks,” she said.

'I do get homesick, but I think it happens to most travelers who have been away for so long. “I visited Brisbane six months after the trip before going to Queensland and I'm flying back for Christmas.”

Over the past 11 months, she has also met countless other solo travelers on tours and at campsites.

But Cass admitted at first that she was a little scared of being alone.

“The first night I was terrified because I hadn't yet adapted to the new environment,” she recalls. “The great thing about the van life is that if you feel unsafe you can just drive away to another location, which I do if necessary.”

When asked what advice she would give to others wanting to try living on the road, Cassi said: 'If you're on the fence, maybe don't jump in like I did – take weekend trips first to see if you like it '

Along the way, she's gained more than 202,000 followers on Instagram and has been able to fund some of her travels with brand deals.

She's been skydiving, paid for tours, visited Uluru and wants to swim with sharks in South Australia.

When asked what advice she would give to others wanting to try living on the road, Cass said: 'If you're sitting on the fence, maybe don't jump straight in like I did – take weekend trips first to see if you like it .'

Next year she hopes to travel around New Zealand in a van, but she may have to save some extra money first.

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