Most of the people I see doing van life on instagram or parked up at my local surf break are couples or men. I got to thinking about what are the barriers that women may face when wanting to hit the road alone.
Most of the people I see doing van life on instagram or parked up at my local surf break are couples or men. I got to thinking about what are the barriers that women may face when wanting to hit the road alone. The main one that obviously came up is, unfortunately, safety. So I’m here to remind the women out there who dream of the wanderlust and freedoms that van life can afford you: Go for it. It is totally attainable to seek those spontaneous and inspiring adventures without totally throwing caution to the wind with these 10 handy tips for travelling alone as a woman.
- Trust your van: Visit the mechanic before leaving
- Dream easy: Build a bed you’re truly happy with
- Think security: Bring your dog
- Camp safe. Try and Stay in official campgrounds or DOC sites.
- Stay on the grid: Use a buddy system
- Prevent shortages: Keep stock regularly
- Keep cash on you (old fashioned I know)
- Stay fresh: make the most of beachside facilities.
- Get chatting
- Record it : Keep a map and camera close by
I bought my first van in 2010 (an old Mitsubishi carpet van with psychedelic seat covers). I was living and travelling around the south west of England and Wales for summers, lifeguarding and surf instructing, with Europe just a stone's throw away.
While van life didn’t go without its hiccups, like when losing my keys in the surf, running out of fuel because the petrol gauge was faulty (oh and that time someone stole my steering wheel?) but nonetheless, travelling alone as a woman was fun and exhilarating.
Based on some of my experiences and those of my girlfriends- some a heck more adventurous than me, here are 10 van life how-tos for women van adventuring solo, or really anyone who’s planning their first van trip.
Trust your van: Visit the mechanic before leaving
I know we all think our vans are bomb proof, until something goes wrong. Do yourself a favour & find a mechanic you trust, and take your van in right before you travel. Tell them specifically that you’re about to go on a road trip and how far you plan to drive. Make sure you’ve checked the spare tyre too and carry your own jump leads (a sure-fire way to make new friends also).
Dream easy: Build a bed you’re truly happy with
If you’re going to be on the road for a considerable amount of time, check if your bed is comfy. That includes the mattress and the slats or whatever your base is. Knowing you’re getting a decent night's sleep makes all the difference and sets you up for a decent day of exploring. While it took up the whole width of the van, I chose to use a full-sized platform bed. I ensured there was still plenty of room for storage underneath, including for two surfboards and a longboard.
Think security: Bring your dog
Ok, this may not be possible for all. But if you are already considering a 4 legged friend, and you’re also considering travelling alone, believe me, having our dog makes all the difference. If a dog is a no-no, make sure you’re happy that your van is secure with you in, and outside it if you’re leaving it while surfing or exploring hiking trails. See our blog on some top tips for travelling New Zealand with your pooch.
Camp safe. Try and Stay in official campgrounds or DOC sites
Try not to feel like you're ducking out of adventure by taking this option, avoid the temptation to seek out non-official spots to hide the van for the night. When in NZ I use camper mate as it gives you a pretty good feel for a place before rocking up. Saying that, try to always have a contingency plan if something doesn’t work out.
Stay on the grid: Use a buddy system
Let friends and family know where you are, especially if you’re going quite remote and aren’t sure what the signal will be like at your end destination. If you’re going tramping make sure you sign in and out of the DOC guest books. If you’re surfing try and let a girlfriend know when and where you're paddling out or seek a spot with a few people already in the water.
Prevent shortages: Keep stock regularly
Having to make multiple stops for food, gas and other supplies exacerbates any stress that driving already causes, especially in rural areas where you don’t know when the next stop will be. Make sure you keep an eye on your gas bottle levels and don’t be caught out. When you get to somewhere decent, top up the tank, stock up on snacks, swap out the ice in your cooler. In Aotearoa you don’t know when the next store will be.
Keep cash on you (old fashioned I know)
Whether it be for DOC sites or some fresh avocados on the side of the road, make sure you always carry a little bit of cash with you. This can also serve to help you out in sticky situations or even help out someone else who may be in need. Some showers at campsites can also require gold coins for 5 minutes so keep a couple hidden away for a freshen up.
Stay fresh: make the most of beachside facilities
While I’m a big fan of surfing and am a total beach bum, there’s nothing worse than getting into your bed at night feeling crispy from a day of sun, sea and salt. New Zealand has some wonderful beachside facilities, so make use of the epic beach showers before you head off for the night. Campsite showers aren’t always the cleanest of places and often come at an extra expense (another reason to carry a bit of cash if needs must).
Get chatting
Just because you’ve set off on your own doesn’t mean you need to remain on your own. Some of my best friends I’ve made while travelling have been random people that I’ve struck up a conversation with when facing another meal alone. Not everyone will end up being your best friend but strangers are interesting and you will more than likely meet up with them again at some point on your trip. It may also be reassuring to see a friendly face if you're on the road for a long period of time.
Record it : Keep a map and camera close by
When travelling on my own I am always sure to keep a paper map to hand. I’m not great at journaling so I like to keep track of the route I have taken and take note of some of the favourite spots on the way. This is an epic way to look back on your trip and spark memories that you’ve created. I also make sure I keep my camera in the center console for random snaps along the way.
Oh, my final and most important tip, always keep a bar of chocolate, pack of cards and head torch in the front console and a bottle of red in the pantry - you never know when you’re going to need it.
