Van transformation with Salty Campers: Sydney based

Taking inspiration from the laidback, coastal lifestyle of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Salty Campers Sam and Jana have transformed their love of camping and the outdoors into a thriving local business! With two vans under their wings and (potentially) a third on the way, Sam and Jana walk us through exactly how their growing little business came to be!

Who we are:

Salty Campers is a small local business, operating out of the Eastern Suburbs of Maroubra. My partner Jana and I (Sam), operate this business as a little side hustle, although at times has been pretty much a full-time gig. We have always been into camping and sharing a love for the outdoors, particularly the coastline. We previously had a decked-out Toyota Hilux, but that needed to be set up every time we reached a new destination. After researching the market, there were no Modern and uptown date campervans available to hire in East Sydney at an affordable price.

Why did you decide to convert a van and when did you start?

We wanted a campervan that was fully decked out, able to grab some clothes, pack the fridge, and hit the road. We found Toyota Hiace’s have always been in high demand for their reliability and ease-to-source parts, no matter your location in Australia. Our search started in January 2021 (Peak Covid Prices) but we found the perfect first campervan, a 'Super Long Wheel Base' (SLWB) with dual sliding doors and it was automatic which is even harder to find in good condition, We already had a layout in mind, we didn’t want a fixed bed as during the day, you need somewhere to relax or when the weather turns, you can head indoors and be in the warmth of the campervan.

How long did your van conversion take?

The build took approx 3 months and as soon as we listed the campervan, we were inundated with bookings, we knew we were onto something. In May 2021, we found a smaller Toyota Hiace already fitted with a pop-top, we stripped the campervan and started the process again. This time it was a lot quicker due to all electrical and plumbing had been done, we just needed to update the cabinetry and re-do the flooring.

Would you rather, campervan or motorhome?

This was an easy decision. I had hired a larger motorhome through Camplify in late 2020 to test out the process, it was seamless. It was the perfect getaway, the only problem we found was access to some of the campsites and ease to drive the vehicle. For us, we knew we would be limited with the space of a campervan so we spent a lot of time testing and researching the perfect layout.

What's one feature you would not compromise on?

Outdoor shower, we enjoy winter getaways where I can surf down the South Coast of NSW, after a few hours in the cold water there is no better feeling than a warm shower. We invested in a Joolca System into Rex with all onboard gas storage and it has been incredible. The feedback from our Customers has made the investment worthwhile.

Where did you go to find inspiration?

My main inspiration came from my local area of Maroubra, Sydney. We live next to the beach, so a coastal theme with a minimal approach was our brief. We had just renovated our apartment in 2020, so we took a lot of the colour schemes from the build.

What is one thing you wished you'd known before you started?

Time! It takes time to source parts online plus the delay with imports due to covid, unfortunately, we don’t make a lot of parts in Australia anymore, so to find a retailer that had parts in stock was a job in itself.

What is one piece of advice you'd offer a first-time van renovator?

Learn to scribe; nothing is square inside a van; there are lots of online forums out there that can offer advice; when in doubt, ask Google!

What's something you wish you could change about your van?

Honestly, nothing! We love both our campervans Rex and Ralph. They are both practical and make the getaway so much more enjoyable.

What is your funniest/best hirer story?

We had a lovely couple take Rex on a big adventure through the Southern Highlands and the snowy mountains and they asked to take their dog, this was a first for us. We accepted the request and they had an incredible adventure with our campervan. While they were away, a big cold front came through NSW and dropped snow across the mountain range. They spent 3 days waiting for the snow cover to settle before venturing on to their next spot and they were thankful for the warmth of the campervan. We were grateful we invested a lot of time in insulation and waterproofing the campervan to be able to handle these conditions.

What's next for Salty Campers?

We have just introduced our second campervan Ralph, we were gearing up for a busy winter with lots of bookings, but unfortunately, lockdown had other plans. Let's just say we may have a 4x4 in the pipeline!!! Check us out on @salty.campers

Which Camplify owner would you like to see on our next van tour?

We have worked closely with Seb from Nomad Vans, he has been successful in the rental market in the Northern Beaches in Sydney and he is an amazing craftsman with his work in custom builds.

Loved the look of Sam and Jana's vans? Hire them for your next adventure