A five-year solo adventure in a camper across New Zealand

Digital nomad Lisa Jansen shares how she came to live in a campervan to travel around New Zealand for five years, lessons learned along the way, safety as a solo traveller, earning money as a nomad and more. 

By Lisa Jansen

@lifedonedifferentlynz

I don’t think there is a better place to explore in a campervan than New Zealand – especially for those who love nature and the great outdoors. Where else do you find golden beaches, crystal clear lakes, ancient forests, snow-covered mountains, world-famous volcanoes and much more – all within a few days’ drive and in a country that’s safe and offers modern infrastructure? 

I’ve lived in New Zealand for 17 years. For six of those, I’ve been a nomad, constantly moving around exploring new parts of this beautiful place on earth. I don’t think I will ever tire of it. 

It all started back in 2017. I was 33 years old and asking myself the big questions. What am I doing with my life? What will bring me happiness? 

For most of my friends, the answers seemed simple. They were all busy getting married, buying houses, having kids and progressing their careers. However, I wasn’t sure if that path was right for me. And so I started to look for alternatives. 

What do you do when you feel lost and unsure about what to do with your life? You travel! 

In my case, that involved buying a campervan, quitting my job and city life in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, and setting off for a summer on the road. That summer turned into almost five years. Along the way, I met incredible people, overcame challenges, admired and explored the stunning scenery of New Zealand, challenged society’s norms and expectations about what a woman in her 30s should be focused on, and found the answers I was looking for – all of which I share in my book Life Done Differently: One Woman’s Journey on the Road Less Travelled. 

The Highs and Lows of Vanlife

I loved vanlife from the very first day. I found the transition from living in a house to living in a van easy, and it felt like it was always meant to be. In the beginning, it was all about adventure and excitement. I travelled fast, saw lots of different places and had so many amazing experiences. After a while, things started to slow down, and I discovered other perks of this lifestyle. I loved the simplicity of it. I loved living in a small space that was easy to clean. I loved having less stuff. Most of all, I loved the calmness that had settled into my life. 

I had gone from living in a modern house with lots of stuff to living in an almost 20-year-old little van with only the few things that would fit in it, and I was happier than ever. It showed me how little I need to be happy. Even now, almost six years later, I still consider that one of the most valuable lessons vanlife has taught me. It showed me that I wouldn’t need a big house, a fancy car and lots of stuff to be happy. That, in turn, meant that I wouldn’t have to work 40+ hours a week in an office to be able to have the kind of life I want. To me, that is freedom. 

However, vanlife isn’t without its challenges. Having such little routine and structure in your life can be overwhelming sometimes. Vans, especially older ones, tend to have issues and need repairs, which is stressful because it’s your home and vehicle. Beyond that, swimming against the stream, choosing travel and adventure at an age when everyone around you is choosing family and stability, can feel isolating at times. Sometimes, it’s hard to feel connected to people and society. Nevertheless, for me, all the good has always far outweighed the bad. Given the chance, I would do it all again without hesitation. 

Life as a Solo Traveller: Loneliness and Safety

Over the years, I’ve often been asked about travelling on my own. “Do you get lonely?” and “Do you feel safe?” are common questions. 

I’ve always loved travelling on my own. I love the freedom that comes with it. There is something liberating about not having to compromise and being able to do everything at my own speed without feeling rushed or slowed down by others. I rarely get lonely, but when I do, I’ve always found it easy to connect with other travellers. The nomad community here in New Zealand (and globally, from what I’ve heard) is very welcoming. At campgrounds, there were often opportunities to connect with others for a conversation and maybe a drink or meal together. There are also several online groups where nomads can connect and support each other virtually, or plan in-person meetups. So the answer to the “Do you get lonely?” question is easy. No, I don’t. 

Safety is a different matter and something I worried about more, especially at the beginning of my journey. New Zealand is a very safe place to travel on your own as a woman. Nevertheless, crime exists and accidents happen. In all the years I’ve been on the road now, I’ve never had an issue. However, I do take certain precautions which help make me feel safer.  

When I bought my camper, I made sure I could get from the back into the driver’s seat without having to leave the van so that I could easily get away if I ever felt unsafe. In addition, I got a personal locator beacon (PLB) so I can call for help even when I don’t have cell phone coverage or when my battery is flat. 

I always double-check that all doors are locked at night and put the key in the same place so I can find it quickly if needed. I’ve also always avoided parking somewhere completely on my own, especially when near towns. I’ve always felt safer with at least one or two other campers around. 

Making It Work Financially

A question that I hear almost as often as the ones about loneliness and safety is how I make it work financially. I haven’t paid rent or a mortgage in over six years and am generally happy living a frugal life. But even that costs money, and over the years, I’ve also learnt that I value financial security almost as much as adventure and freedom. In other words, working and earning money is a part of my life. 

I’m very lucky to have not one but two jobs I can do from anywhere. I’m a writer and also work as a marketing consultant. Both jobs only require a laptop and internet, and thanks to my low-cost life, I don’t have to work full-time hours. 

A Future Full of Possibilities

After almost five years of living in my little camper, I sold it last year. Since then, I’ve been a full-time house sitter, travelling around and looking after people’s homes and pets while they are away. It’s a different way of travel. I spend more time in one place and stay in everyday homes rather than at campsites and in tourist destinations. I enjoy it, but after six years as a nomad, I’ve been thinking more about the future lately. I love the nomadic lifestyle and the freedom and adventure that come with it. However, I sometimes miss being part of a more stable community, so maybe I will stay somewhere for a while. I would love to travel more, and I also love the idea of living really remote for a time, like a cabin in the bush somewhere. 

The truth is, I have no idea what my life might look like in five or ten years. There are so many options, so many things I could do. Not knowing what will happen used to make me nervous, but now I love having a future full of possibilities. 

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About the Autor:

https://www.lifedonedifferently.com

https://www.instagram.com/lifedonedifferentlynz/

https://www.facebook.com/LifeDoneDifferentlyNZ/

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