In this episode, we speak to bob who is living the van life Australia dream!
Bob gives us a sprinter van tour of his long-wheelbase Mercedes sprinter DIY conversion that he calls home. this van has many interesting things, so join us as we get a van tour of a Mercedes sprinter!
Name of the Van:
None yet
Type of Van:
Long wheelbase Sprinter
Vane Make:
Mercedes
BOB AND HIS SPRINTER
“The unity between each other is very
common and it resonates with a lot of people!” – Bob
ONBOARD
Bob lives the van life Australia dream in his long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter that he converted himself.
The feature of this van is the bath, and Bob loves it! Having no trouble fitting in it, he’s had a few good bubble baths while watching the sunset (just like those Insta photos!). It was having ice baths that originally inspired him to include the bath, and he’s now rigged up a heat exchange so that he can also get hot water.
With a shower, 85 liters of freshwater, a flush 12V toilet, and a solid 12V electrical setup, this DIY Mercedes Sprinter van conversion has no troubles going off-grid. This is exactly what Bob wants as it gives him the freedom to think about life, celebrate life, work, and give back to the community.
LIVING FULL TIME IN A VAN IN AUSTRALIA
There’s no windows, doesn’t it get hot inside!
GOOD VAN INSULATION IS KEY
TO KEEPING COOL IN THE AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE
Bob explained why he used mini orb (corregated iron) to line out the interior of his van. He also explained how he used Earthwool and Foilboard to insulate his van. And it works really well! Sitting inside his van on a hot summer day, felt like we were sitting under the shade of a Coolabah tree!
A couple of air vents helped to circulate the air and not having windows in the van isn’t a problem!



Loving van life Australia in a Mercedes Sprinter van conversion with a bath tub
WHY IS THERE A COCONUT
SCREWED INTO THE KITCHEN WALL?
On this DIY Sprinter conversion tour, Bob shows us his many resourceful inclusions. Besides the bath, Weetbix tin and wooden suitcase that now acts as his toiletries cabinet, there’s a half coconut screwed into his kitchen wall.
Why you ask! Well this is no ordinary coconut, it a coconut knife holder! It took Bob ages to saw the coconut in half, but now it’s been in use for 18 months and works a treat!
Another nice feature of this DIY Mercedes Sprinter conversion is the paper bark wall lining and pallet cupboards. And screwing old glass jars into the bottom of the overhead cupboards makes a great way to spices, teas, herbs, etc…
There’s even a cabinet that is used as a shop front to sell things like jewellery and spiritual healing when the sliding side door is open!
A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES TO LIVING VAN LIFE?
- The list is quite small for me!
- When I’ve got the Vansion or the Palace it’s very easy – Very, very easy.
- Whatever I want, I just open the door and it comes to me. It’s really interesting!
- And people just come and bring gifts and music, and come to give some knowledge and wisdom.
HOW DID VAN LIFE HELP YOUR AWAKENING?
- It fit perfect! In that to be able to let go of materialistic things. And to live simply.
- I feel like it had to happen.
- And it created a different purpose in my life, to help others live simply and be able to experience the world.
- And I think, when you’re bored you become sad. And familiarity breeds boredom.