Couple raising daughter in 50-year-old Kombi

Together with our friends at Your Food Collective, we sent vanlifers and previous The Block contestants Karstan & Maxine on a foodie adventure to Hunter Valley to experience the ‘taste of freedom’. Read on to learn more about their family, their experience travelling with a toddler and how their kombi has changed their family life for the better

Tell us a little bit more about your family…

G’day, we’re Karstan, Max and Zuri. We are an adventure-loving Kombi family who thrives on the road and we’re extremely passionate about exploring our big beautiful country AUSTRALIA! For us travelling to remote destinations and going off the beaten track is what gets us excited!

What would you say your life motto would be?

We’re big believers in putting ourselves out there and giving everything a go, ‘cause why not? With a positive ‘can do attitude’ approach to life, we’re always eager to do things that many could only dream about and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

What you see is what you get with us, and that’s how we like it. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, we laugh a lot, embrace everything that is thrown our way and get a kick out of sharing the ins and outs of our crazy, beautiful and adventure-filled life.

Where did your passion for vanlife come from?

Our Van Life journey started back in 2008 when we purchased a VW 1971 Pop Top Kombi unseen whilst we were travelling Europe. We were in Spain and the Kombi was back in Australia, but we were hungry to explore our own country, so we just took a risk and bought it. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made and that one decision truly has shaped our future.

It was one of the best decisions we have ever made and that one decision truly has shaped our future.

We remember at the time when we decided to do a lap of Aus, we didn't know anyone who had done the same and plenty of people thought we were crazy, but that's what made it so exciting. We navigated with hard copy maps (yes can you believe it - CRAZY) used payphones and internet cafes to stay in contact with family and friends and fully embraced just how bloody incredible it is to have your home on wheels and experience everything that Australia has to offer! We successfully completed our full lap of Australia in the year of 2009 and we still dream about that trip today... and it certainly doesn't feel that long ago!

How did you choose the right van for your family?

Choosing a van for our family was easy… it was only ever going to be a VW Kombi as we have owned them for so many years and they are now part of who we are. We love the fact that they are simple to work on (for Karstan anyways) and that it will always be a talking point no matter where we are … there truly is something very special about owning a kombi, they bring people together. We’ve met some amazing people from all walks of life through our Kombi’s over the years.

You own a Kombi, there must be a lot of history behind the van itself?

Our van was built in 1968, shipped from Germany to become part of the PMG fleet (painted red) where it was used to service the telephone lines in QLD. At some point in the ’80s, the van was sold on for private use. The individual who purchased the van did a full restoration on the van painting it blue and doing a basic camper fitout in the back.. not long after being restored the van was stolen in 1985. The thief took the van west until the engine blew up just outside Tenterfield NSW.

It was here the van was towed onto a paddock and it sat baking in the sun, surviving floods and fires and was used for some of its parts to keep other VW’s on the road. Until 6 years ago I (Karstan) was zooming in from above using Google Maps and saw him... It was love at first sight... Rust in all the right places.

We replaced everything mechanically and couldn’t bring ourselves to paint it! Every ding and dent tells a story! For a while, we kept the interior the way it was done in the 80s… but since our last trip, we have begun to rip it out and start afresh!

What impact has the van had on your family? ****

For us, being in the van always feels like home. We feel calm because of the simplicity it brings. Our space is tiny (we literally cannot stand up inside) so we have to carry minimal, which means fewer things to worry about and more time for the things that really matter. Van life puts everything into perspective, for our family, we focus on the beautiful moments.

Toddler and vanlife?

Zu had her first van trip at around 6 weeks old, we had no idea what we were doing, however, we approached it as we do with everything else in life - we worked as a team, went with the flow and adapted. Our experience with a baby and now a toddler has been very enjoyable, she's seen more of Australia than most adults we know!! The most memorable times on the road are the bubble baths we give her in buckets in the middle of nowhere, swimming in freshwater pools and waterfalls and watching her get excited when she sees all of the beautiful Australian wildlife.

What’s your favourite memory from the road?

Our favourite memory on the road is kinda a collection of memories… THE SUNSETS AND SUNRISES in the desert are incredible… Time really slows down and it’s at that point you feel completely in the moment.

Where’s next on your Aussie bucket list, and why?

Our next bucket list is to attempt to cross the 10 Australian deserts in the Kombi... The kombi is a 2WD but we are upgrading the necessary components on the van to get us the traction we will need on the sand.

What's your best advice for people that are curious about vanlife?

You don't know what is good for you unless you give it a go. That's the beauty of Camplify, you can test out a whole heap of different options and you're always going to get a different type of experience. From adventurous 4WD options to vanning in complete luxury - you might surprise yourself with what you actually enjoy most!

Australia is filled with so many diverse places to stay and visit and your van selection can easily change, making each trip feel new and exciting! We can guarantee you'll be hooked!

You don't know what is good for you unless you give it a go. That's the beauty of Camplify, you can test out a whole heap of different options and you're always going to get a different type of experience.

This type of living is so fulfilling! Life is short, challenge yourself, try new things, be spontaneous, take the road less travelled and wonderful things will happen! You'll make memories that you'll hold onto forever. Van life is so damn addictive and so is the big beautiful country we live in - so find a van and GET OUT THERE!