The search for a family caravan suitable for long term travel was certainly no small task. We looked at second hand options, visited dealers and all the caravan and camping show’s we could get along to, all in search of the perfect van. Unfortunately, nothing we saw really stood out. That’s when we decided to approach this a little differently. If we can’t find what we want, why don’t we just build it??

So, we bought a 1989 tandem axle caravan in a baby poo brown and a widow maker air con hanging out the front. It seemed like every previously owner had had a go at renovating it along the way, as there was mis matched cabinetry, a few extra brackets not to mention a few leaks. It sure wasn’t much to look at but we had big plans and a vision of transforming it into our little home on wheels. 

The idea of breathing new life into something with history and character really appealed to us, and it also meant we could design and set it up exactly the way we wanted. Little did we know just how massive the task ahead would be.

We ended up stripping everything from the van—right down to the bare chassis and external walls—before starting again. In hindsight, we probably should’ve just had a chassis made and built from the ground up. Trying to design a layout around the existing windows turned out to be one of the biggest challenges. It felt like trying to solve a puzzle with the wrong pieces.

 Nate’s background in cabinetry proved invaluable. His skills in building and craftsmanship made a huge difference throughout the build. As for me, Pinterest quickly became my best friend—it's such a great platform for finding ideas and helpful tips, although going to Nate with a new idea or colour scheme every couple of days didn’t exactly help.  

Everything inside the van was fully customised—from the overhead cupboards to the shower, the bunks, under-bed storage, and even a beautiful single-piece timber benchtop that stretched from one end of the van to the other. We upgraded the suspension, axles, and hubs, had the ATM increased, and reinforced the drawbar. We did everything ourselves, inside and out—except for the gas pipes and certification, which we left to the professionals. We tried to make the van as comfortable and homely as possible with a full-size queen bed, instant gas hot water, large compressor fridge, plenty of solar, plenty of freshwater storage, large lithium battery, custom sized bunks with room for the kids to grow. We really did try to think of everything. 

Even though the task we took on was way harder and more time-consuming than we ever imagined, it was such a fun and rewarding process. We learned so much along the way—and hey, our marriage survived, so that’s a bonus Haha!

We travelled in our renovated van for three years, exploring the beauty of Australia and making countless memories. Tragically, our journey with the van came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end after an accident that was completely out of our control. This accident, which should never have happened, resulted in the loss of our cherished home on wheels.

We hope to build another caravan in the future that’s either another renovator or possibly a build from ground up.

Below are some Photos of the progress, hope you enjoy!