Matthew Storer
Travelling Australia full-time in a self-built van
This is my story — the honest version. No filters, no influencer, just a bloke trying to figure life out on the road.
Hey, I'm Matthew
A decade ago I was clocking in, clocking out, and wondering, “Is this it?” Life felt small. Predictable. Like I was living the same week on repeat.
So in 2012, I did the one thing that scared me most — I left Australia with a backpack, a one-way ticket, and the hope that somewhere out there I’d figure out who I was meant to be.
I didn’t just want to see the world. I wanted to challenge myself, grow, and build a life that actually felt like mine.
My Story: How Travel Changed My Life
What started as a simple escape turned into a life I never saw coming.
I’ve travelled to more than 100 countries — living in places like the UK, Canada, Germany and Slovenia, backpacking through Southeast Asia, hiking in New Zealand, and campervanning across America’s west coast.
Every place gave me something. Every challenge shaped me. The uncomfortable moments were the ones that forced me to grow the most.
The person who left Australia isn’t the same person who came back.
And somewhere along the way, I realised how lucky I was to call Australia home.
Why Van Life in Australia Became My Path
After years of travel, I realised nothing fit me better than living on the road.
I’d campervanned through more than 20 countries, and something about it just made sense — freedom, simplicity, and everything you need in one place.
I knew I couldn’t go back to a “normal” life. It didn’t challenge me, and it didn’t feel like mine.
So I built my own van — my home, my reset button, and my way of living full-time on the road in Australia.
And the best part? I built it with my dad. That means more to me than the van itself.
Now I live full-time on the road, exploring Australia, telling stories, and giving this dream a proper crack.
What I’m Doing Now
This website is my travel diary — the good days, the tough days, the breakdowns (mechanical and mental), and everything in between.
It’s where I share honest stories from life on the road, the ups and downs of van life, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
You’ll also find travel inspiration, practical advice, and the things I wish I knew earlier — along with photography, videos, and a real look at what this lifestyle actually involves.
I’m not here to be an influencer. I’m here to be real.
And if you leave this page thinking, “Maybe I could do something like this too,” then it’s all been worth it.
Why I Do All This
I don’t do this because I think I’ve got life sorted.
I do it because I know what it feels like to be stuck — to want something different, but not know where to start.
This life isn’t perfect, and I’m not here to pretend it is. But it’s mine. And building something that feels honest, meaningful, and fully my own has changed everything.
If this journey helps someone back themselves a little more, chase something that lights them up, or realise there’s more than one way to live a good life, then putting it all out there is worth it.
You don’t need to copy this life exactly — but I do hope it reminds people there are other ways to live.
If You’re New Here… Stick Around
You’ll find honest stories from the road, practical lessons from van life, travel inspiration, and the things I’ve built along the way.
If any of that sounds like your kind of thing, you’re in the right place.
- Read the Journal
- Watch the videos
- Join the e-mail list
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
Join My Travel Journal
Get honest stories from the road, practical lessons I’ve learnt living on the road, new videos, behind-the-scenes adventures, and things I don’t always share publicly.
Contact Me
South Australia
m: 0459367713
e: [email protected]
Living on the Road • Sharing the Story
Australia-Based
Copyright © Matthew Storer