Questions we often get asked
What van do you have?
Ron is a 2018 Renault Master. We bought him already converted, with 72,000 km on the clock, and had a mechanical inspection done before buying. He was the soundest van we looked at, and it's the first thing we'd recommend to anyone buying a van.
More: Meet Ron
How reliable has the Renault Master been?
Very reliable so far, and pretty uneventful. Apart from regular maintenance like brakes, we haven't had any major issues. We get him serviced after every big trip, and because he's a diesel, we run some engine cleaner through now and again.
The only problem so far was minor. The manual fuel primer pump under the bonnet started leaking and letting air into the fuel lines. Luke ordered a replacement and a new fuel line and fitted them himself, and it was an easy fix. Fuel economy has been better than some of the cars we've driven in the UK. We love the van, and he's a dream to drive.
More: Meet Ron
Who converted Ron?
Ron was converted by Savage Adventure Vans. He was one of the first vans they converted, and they're still going to this day. We've made a few changes to him since then.
More: Meet Ron
How did you find and buy your van?
We looked on a few websites, but Facebook Marketplace and the van resale groups on there were the best for us. We went to see every van in person and had a mechanical inspection done before handing over any money. That's how we ended up with Ron.
Why is your van called Ron?
When we bought him, he was called Rona, because he was built during lockdown. We weren't keen on the name, so we took the A off the back window, and Ron was born.
How is your van's power set up?
Ron has a 12V lithium system with two Amptron BluEdge ABS 200Ah batteries. They're charged by roof solar and the alternator through a REDARC DC-DC charger, and by a Victron charger when we're on mains. A 3000W Victron inverter powers the 240V sockets when we're off-grid. Our power guide explains how it all fits together.
Do you have a shower, and where does your water come from?
There's no built-in shower. When we were buying, we put a young, sound engine ahead of having a shower. We have a simple cold-water shower in the boot, run off our 12V water pump, which is great for a rinse after the beach. Most of the time we use public showers: most beaches have them, leisure centres are a cheap option, and campsites have them when we book in.
Our water tank sits under the van, and we filter the water as it comes in. We use it for washing up and washing ourselves, and buy boxed water from the supermarket for drinking.
More: Power, water and storage
How do you stay connected and safe in remote areas?
We use Optus for our mobile network and have Starlink on the roof for remote areas. People warned us how remote the Outback is, but with Starlink we've always had signal in an emergency. We also carry a full-size spare tyre under the van and a few lights for the evenings, and as we're a 2WD van, we stick to sealed roads and keep it sensible.
More: How we stay connected
What do you film your videos with?
Our main camera is the Sony A7C with the Sony Zeiss FE 4/16-35 lens, and we use the DJI Mic 2 for sound. We started out on the Sony ZV-1. We also use the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, a GoPro HERO10 Black, the Rode VideoMic Pro+ and a DJI Mini 3 drone.
More: Our filming kit
What route are you taking around Australia?
We started our Great Lap from Sydney and headed south. So far we've gone down the coast to Victoria, across to Tasmania, along the Great Ocean Road into South Australia, north up the Stuart Highway through the Outback to Darwin, and west into WA. Not everything works the way you first plan it: we'd planned to cross from South Australia to WA, but after working in Bendigo we'd missed the good weather on the southern West Coast, so we went up through the middle instead.
More: Our Great Lap so far
Are your videos in real time?
No, we're usually a few weeks behind. We film, edit and post one video a week, so there's always a gap between where we are and what you're watching. If you want to know where we are right now, we share real-time updates on our free Patreon.
More: Our Patreon
Do you drive at night?
No. It's our number one rule, because of kangaroos and other wildlife, and it was one of the first things Aussies warned us about when we arrived. On the rare occasion we get caught out, we just cruise slowly and take our time.
Where do you camp?
In designated spots. Free camping in Australia isn't “anywhere”: touristy areas have no-camping signs and fines. We find free and donation camps, including some sports grounds, on WikiCamps, and the user reviews help a lot. Now and again we pay for a caravan park, like in Coober Pedy, where we'd heard mixed things about safety and wanted to be able to walk into town.
What visa are you on, and how long can you stay?
We're from the UK and are in Australia on working holiday visas. We're making the most of every month we have here. We'd love to stay long term one day, but the visas can be tricky.
Do you work while you travel?
Yes. We stop and work along the way to top up our savings for the next leg. So far that's included a couple of months in Merimbula over Christmas and a stint in Bendigo. When we're working, our weekends become editing days so the weekly videos keep going up.
More: Our Great Lap so far
More questions
Can you sleep in your van on the Spirit of Tasmania?
Not on our crossing. Passengers weren't allowed back to their vehicles during the journey, and the vehicle decks were locked, so pack an overnight bag. The ferry sails between Geelong and Devonport. We booked recliner seats rather than a cabin. Check the current rules when you book.
When did you go to Tasmania, and for how long?
We spent three weeks going round the island in January and February.
Where did you see the platypus in Tasmania?
At the Tasmanian Arboretum.
Is the Great Ocean Road easy to drive in a van?
Yes, it's very easy to drive along the coast. Some of the national parks inland have graded roads, but if you stick to the coast you'll have no issues. We'd also recommend heading slightly inland for the national parks and the redwood forest, which were a real highlight for us.
More: Our Great Lap so far
Where's your Uluru video?
We can't share that video just yet, but we still hope to get our permit and post it at some point on our journey.
What app do you use to check the UV index?
On an iPhone, it's the built-in Weather app. Open today's weather and switch from “Conditions” to “UV index”.
Where in the UK are you from?
Leicestershire, in the East Midlands.