バンライフとスマートカー：賢い選択か、それとも大混乱か？（ミスティ・マウンテンズ、マランガニー）
We’re Sandy, Tim, and Pablo—travelling Australia in our self-built Sprinter van. Join us for vanlife, travel, and Big Lap adventures around the country.
In this episode, we take our support car out for its first real test as we explore the Misty Mountains near Kunghur. We weren’t sure how it would go — and after a few days on the road with two vehicles… well, we’ve got some thoughts 😅
From narrow roads to steep drives and unexpected logistics, we’re asking ourselves: did we make the right call?
We also make a quick stop in the quiet little town of Mallanganee, explore the area, and share what it’s really like traveling with a tiny car alongside our vanlife setup.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a support car makes vanlife easier — or just adds more chaos — this is the episode for you!
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, ask questions, or tell us about your own Big Lap adventures in the comments below.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more travel adventures! Hit the bell icon to stay updated with our journey around Australia.
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: [@the_sand_van]
Facebook: [The Sand Van / Sand Van]
Thanks for watching, and see you on the road!
Join our Community!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0jBcBjVoQt0Dirf2WMJYPA/join
Postal Address:
Sandy and Tim
P.O. Box 1173
North Lakes QLD 4509
Brisbane, Australia
Our Fleet:
Vinnie: 2004 Mercedes Sprinter CDI LWB. Self-built – Lift bed, Work station, full kitchen and lounge.
Pablo: 2019 Chihuahua – Tan in colour.
Compact Innovations (Bed lift kit) – $100 Discount:
All Powers 10% Discount:
https://allpowers.com.au/?ref=THESANDVAN
Discount code: TSV
VANKETO $50 DISCOUNT:
Window Covers – Australian Made 🇦🇺
Discount code: THESANDVAN50
Buy a treat for Pablo / Buy us a coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/6LeVMUBEyA
Where we get our music from:
www.epidemicsound.com
Amazon Affiliate Links:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/the_sand_van
#BigLapOfAustralia #vanlife #vanlifeaustralia
27件のコメント
We’re Sandy, Tim, and Pablo—travelling Australia in our self-built Sprinter van. Join us for vanlife, travel, and Big Lap adventures around the country.
In this episode, we take our support car out for its first real test as we explore the Misty Mountains near Kunghur. We weren’t sure how it would go — and after a few days on the road with two vehicles… well, we’ve got some thoughts 😅
From narrow roads to steep drives and unexpected logistics, we’re asking ourselves: did we make the right call?
We also make a quick stop in the quiet little town of Mallanganee, explore the area, and share what it’s really like traveling with a tiny car alongside our vanlife setup.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a support car makes vanlife easier — or just adds more chaos — this is the episode for you!
We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, ask questions, or tell us about your own Big Lap adventures in the comments below.
🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more travel adventures! Hit the bell icon to stay updated with our journey around Australia.
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: [@the_sand_van]
Facebook: [The Sand Van / Sand Van]
Thanks for watching, and see you on the road!
Join our Community!
 / @sandvan
Postal Address:
Sandy and Tim
P.O. Box 1173
North Lakes QLD 4509
Brisbane, Australia
🚐😊
Guys, it's about the journey not the destination. Cheers
You could use walkie-talkies to keep in touch, but yeah my hubby & I travel in our Van only, which is a Toyota Commuter SLWB
Hello Sandy and Tim have you thought about buying a 4×4 Sprinter van when we catch up have a look at our Sprinter Van and our new channel.
Cheers Andy & Jayne
Where are these camp sites you are at in this vlog.
This place looks great! Sadly it’s a twelve hour drive from my place so not possible for a weekend visit. But I’d love to go there one day, always looking for good dog friendly campsites
Another pretty place thank you. Travelling together is much more fun. It's so nice to share the joy ad it comes into view
Hey guys, thanks for another great vlog. We are Moho owners but have a support vehicle a Jimny and just love it do economical and gets us off the beaten track. Handles all terrain. Highly recommend.
We have managed for 10yrs with nothing but legs, think we will stop that way. Unless you can post LOL
Where’s Willy? I thought you had him on the back.
Hi, Enjoy yr blog.
Question. Can you tell me where you purchase your Coffe Bags to fit over v yr cups. Been looking but cannot locate in Qld.
Thanks
another great video, nothing like a nice fire on a cool evening, thanks guys, cheers
I loved Misty Mountain. The second stop was pretty good though not as picturesque as Misty. What are your fold up chairs? They look compact and lightweight but a bit of a puzzle setting up? I’m looking at replacing my heavy bulky chair.
Hi, I'm just watching latest clip. You need to travel down to the Barrington Coast area and over to Gloucester. You will love the views and countryside
Good to know about Mallanganee camp site.
Having a support vehicle must add a lot more cost to your travels? Perhaps you just need to hire cars here and there when necessary? Maybe budget vehicles like a ute?
Mallanganee is pronounced Mell- ang-anee. I have a friend who lives there but I have never been there. I was hoping you would show more of the place.
Is Misty Mountain a paid campground?
Hi, enjoying your trips, Suzuki would be a winner, we have an e-bike, but can you share the brand name of your chairs, they look lightweight ?
Why don’t you tow it so you can both travel together
We have a motorhome and travel all over never had any issues in needing another vehicle with a large vehicle you just need to think about where to park to do the shopping but never had any issues except in tassie but w caught taxis from the caravan pk into Hobart only cost $14 and we booked tours which were brilliant
Yes , part of the journey ia sharing it with your partner . I have just recently lost my soul mate of 47 years , he battled cancer and the treatment side effects for 6 years before loosing his battle . We tripped around on short camping adventures when he was not to crook or in hospital every chance we could . Yes , to enjoy the scenery of the trip and the walks etc together , look at this , look at that etc . He passed away on 26th April , no more memories to make or memories to share with him . That is what I miss so much is his company and sharing our journey , it is not the same all on your own and now my life will never be the same . Make the most of every day as we did , but even though we knew his time was running out you can never be prepared for the loss that hits you like a brick wall , , you are left to pick up the pieces and try to go on with life all alone . I enjoy watching your adventures , thanks for sharing .
Two way radio's will help with communication. "Breaker, breaker, you got a copy there Smart car?"
Perhaps putting the little car on a trailer would be the way to go. It would be okay for town travelling, probably not any great distance.
1978, my new wife followed me in her Mini, me in a Mazda wagon, from SEQ to SE SA, some 2400km. No radio, mobiles were just being thought about, so we used indicators and brake lights to communicate. Both cars were loaded to the maximum. So, I definitely would not consider a small car as a convoy car, I'd put it on a trailer. (11 years later, we moved back to Qld, again with 2 vehicles, but a mate drove our second car to Qld).
Enjoyed Misty Mountain, it's not far from where we live, so might go for a day drive and stay somewhere overnight – how we miss our Merc Motorhome. Motels and cabins wherever possible these days.
Anyway, I hope your trip to SA goes to plan. Stay safe, cheers…
I like you van’s name.
Curious to see where you guys end up with the support car idea. We were considering to have one and tow with the Van ilo driving separately.
Hi guys. We have just set our smart car up to tow and just love it behind the sprinter👍👍👍
E bike for 2
Being a solo fulltimer myself i totally understand about sharing your trip with someone, even in a seperate vehicle changes the dynamic of the journey… so no doubt you will both be in the can together as you both travel so well together..😊
Loving your journey south and cant wait to see what and where you get upto given all the suggestions you have had from your followers..🚍