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Working from a camper: "A new way of living" for savvy millennials
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Ever been on an epic weekend camping trip - and when Sunday afternoon rolled around, wished you could stay another day ?
Well... What if we told you there was a growing number of savvy millennials which have discovered how to bring their laptops with them - and extend their adventure into the working week?
Turning 'working from home' into 'working from a camper'
Meet Kim Robinson, a 34-year-old project manager & travel enthusiast. Kim's love for road trips isn't new – she's explored Australia, New Zealand, and the United States in the past - even living in a van for six months while travelling Australia. But after these extensive trips, she knew she needed a way to "incorporate travel more into my everyday life".)
Kim Robinson, living the dream with total location freedom while working from a camper.
The WFC idea sparked post-COVID, when remote work became more common. With her van ready, Kim began experimenting with "Work From Camper" days.
She realised "there’s no reason why I need to work from home anymore, when I can work from lookouts, gardens, rivers, beaches, markets and more."
This soon led to regular WFC days, and opened Kim's eyes to "what adventures I can pack into a week".
Why ditch the desk for the highway?
"The opportunity to see new places, get outdoors more and meet new people (while still getting paid) has made the days feel so much more valuable".
It’s about making adventure "commonplace, rather than repeat the same day and week over and over and wait for a vacation".
This lifestyle shift also taught Kim to "live simpler, become incredibly resourceful and to prioritise life experiences over the norm".
She finds herself "much more productive when travelling", attributing it to "new scenery that is inspiring to the mind and physically too when exploring rather than sitting in an office all day".
Plus, "it’s also a bonus knowing that if you get the work done, there’s something new outside to explore".)
No filter needed for your video meetings when your background looks like this. Reflections Caravan Park at Seal Rocks.
A day in the life: Working on the road
Kim works a regular 8-hour day, but "in sections to suit the adventures of the day". Her workspace varies; she splits her time between scenic spots in her van and regional libraries, hotels, caravan parks, and coworking spaces.
Typically, her morning starts "at a lookout or campground and do half a day of work before taking a longer lunch to explore or move on to another town". She then logs back on "in the afternoon or night depending on meetings". For meetings, she parks "somewhere quiet and use my block out curtains for privacy". For documentation, she likes to park "somewhere scenic with the windows open to take in the view for inspiration".)
Knock out your workload - and then get ready to explore.
Kim works for a company who "largely embraces this lifestyle". "When I need to be in the office I am; any other time I have the freedom to complete my work as I see fit". While she swings between long trips on the road, she also maintains a home base, often taking coastal van trips during the week.
The road less smooth: Challenges of work from camper life
While Kim finds living on the road overwhelmingly positive, even the most adventurous lifestyles have their quirks. For her, the most "annoying part of the day is when a bug flies into your freshly made coffee (a common occurrence on the road)".
There will be times "when the confines of the small space or the desire for comfort creeps in, so I work from a library or café for a day". And, as with any vehicle, "there will also be inevitable breakdowns or things that go wrong". However, the advantage of a "house on wheels is that you can pull up wherever and have access to facilities while you wait it out". Kim also notes that "good roadside cover really helps too".)
Redefining your lifestyle has never been more possible.
Getting started: Your work rrom camper essentials
Kim's initial WFC attempts involved trial and error, often "overpreparing". Her focus soon shifted to core necessities:
Van Mechanics: Ensuring the vehicle is in top shape.
Power and Internet Setup: Reliable power and connectivity are non-negotiable. If spending long periods on the road, consider Starlink.
Laptop and Screens: Having the right tools for efficient work.
Functional Kitchen and Bathroom Facilities:Either in the van or easily accessible nearby.
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Kim's current basic setup includes "a laptop, second screen, mobile wifi and a battery system with an inverter". She stresses having "the same level of equipment that I would have in an office or at home". Beyond these basics, she advises "no need to overengineer the set up". Her dining table and couch serve as her workspace, which can also be moved outdoors. All her work supplies are neatly stored in a crate.
She also highlights practical considerations like the van's layout, height, privacy, and ventilation. Her biggest tip: "Make the van comfortable for you and trust yourself travelling".
And her number one tip?
"With Camplify, you don't even need to own a van
to be able to live this lifestyle".
With thousands of custom caravans, campervans & motorhomes available to hire right across Australia, Camplify makes van-life accessible to everyday Aussies - just like you.
Connecting tens-of-thousands likeminded van owners and holidays makers every year. Learn more about how it works today: and join a thriving community of outdoor enthusiasts who understand that the perfect trip starts with the perfect van.
Kim's pro tips for aspiring WFCers
Ready to make your "Stay Another Day" dream a reality? Kim has some invaluable advice:
Invest in the Basics: "Make the van comfortable for you" and "invest in the basics for the fit out, mechanics and work equipment". Consider practical aspects like layout, van height, privacy, and ventilation.
Balance Work and Play: "Make work, work for you". Plan out where you want to be and what you want to see. "Find a way in your schedule to accommodate both working hours and exploring hours and time box these". It's a "delicate balance".
Identify Your Backup Facilities: "Find facilities that work for you as backups and safety nets when need be – libraries, Mcdonalds, gym access, coworking spaces etc.".
Start Small: "Start small… work from a park, a library, a beach, a café… and then incrementally you’ll start to see the opportunity in more places".
Outcome Over Method: "I’ve learned it’s the outcome that matters, not the method, so give yourself the permission to try something new and see where it takes you!".
Best road trips to kickstart your WFC adventure
Australia offers endless opportunities for WFC trips. Imagine working with views of stunning coastlines or ancient landscapes! While Kim loves the authentic scenery of the Northern Territory and the breathtaking grandeur of Conspicuous Cliffs in WA, your perfect "office" view could be anywhere.
Need inspiration for your first Stay Another Day extended weekend? Camplify's blog is packed with itinerary ideas to get you started. Start with "10 Road Trip Ideas from Sydney" or "Exploring the Great Ocean Road: A 6-Day Itinerary.")
With hundreds of incredible campsites & roadtrips: Australia makes for the ultimate WFC destination.
Ready to redefine your reality?
For Kim, a nomadic lifestyle is simply "freedom & choice". It's the "freedom to choose your own place (or workplace), to choose your own scenery each day, to choose your environment and choose who you interact with".
"This is absolutely a new way of living. We all have a choice in how to live, and there are many ways to do it". If you have the option for remote work, the world truly becomes your office. So, why not embrace the opportunity to Stay Another Day and turn an ordinary work week into an extraordinary adventure?
The information in this blog is accurate and current as of the date of posting. Please be aware that information, facts, and links may become outdated over time.