Meet young Sunshine Coast 'vantrepreneur' Izzak success

Ever since a road trip around New Zealand in 2017, Izzak Morris from Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, has been hooked on the # vanlife. In June 2019, Izzak purchased his first campervan and converted it. His hobby quickly became a side hustle earning comfortably over $2,000 per month from his listing and is now expanding his fleet with two more vans in the works.

'It was the feeling of living a minimalistic lifestyle & adventuring to new places that inspired me to chase the dream…'

A van fittingly named 'The Dream'...

After returning from his first van trip, the young entrepreneur Izzak spent a lot of time researching the best vans to convert, and eventually found his conversion inspiration on Pinterest. With the help of a friend in Burleigh Heads, Izzak successfully converted his campervan to include everything needed to travel Australia in style and ease.

'A great deal on a Ford Transit popped up in South Australia, I hopped on the next flight and drove it back to QLD to start the conversion.'

Who do you usually travel with?

Some of the best memories I've made have been surf trips down the Lennox Heads & Ballina areas with mates. Between bookings, my girlfriend and I will try to squeeze in a night or two just somewhere local, as we miss it when it's gone. Occasionally my sausage dog comes for a tour and with his size he fits perfectly into the vanlife!

I haven't done many big trips, but the overall goal when building out the van was to explore our backyard of Australia just like my dad. Three years ago he sold his house and purchased an ex-army communications bus called The Beast and travelled much of the country with his partner. Inspired by the ease of his lifestyle, I planned a 3-6 month trip while working on my business from my laptop. The eventual goal is to van swap and do the same thing in another country, perhaps in the UKor Spain.

Where are your favourite places to visit and where's next on your bucket list?

In 2019, I made a solo vanlife trip around Norway, Tromso region, with the one sole purpose to chase the Northern Lights. Seeing the aurora borealis has always been # 1 on my bucket list & I was lucky enough to tick that off on the 7 out of the 10 days I was over there. Truly a breathtaking experience that I would recommend to anyone—with or without a van it's spectacular even in -30 degree temperature.

While Australia's borders are shut, next on the bucket list for Izzak is to go North from the Sunshine Coast, hit Airlie Beach, then head into North Queensland and visit the Kimberleys with some friends.

Izzak's bucket list places to visit in Queensland:

• Burleigh Heads Hill at Sunset • Whitehaven Beaches • One Tree Hill, Maleny • Rainbow Beach • Bagara - A cute and laid back coastal town where turtles come to lay their eggs • Purling Brook Falls, Gold Coast • Noosa National Park

Izzak's top road trip advice

My top camping tips would be to go off the beaten track (just don't get bogged) and set up for sunset and sunrise! I've discovered some fantastic spots to pull up and stay the night by going up service roads. Hardly anyone uses them, and you're guaranteed full privacy for the night. When planning for sunrise and sunset, take into consideration the orientation of the van when parked up. For example, face the back of the van East in QLD overnight, so when you open the doors, you can still stay in bed while admiring the sunrise. Try to find elevated areas for sunsets, particularly near the beach. Sunsets are the perfect time to enjoy a vanlife cook up with a few red wines & music... Vibes!

How do you plan to invest the money you earn via Camplify?

With the money earned from The Dream's listing on Camplify, I have already invested in a second van currently getting built - a 2009 Toyota Hiace called "Cupid". Smaller and more compact, Cupid will be suitable for a lower price range on Camplify.

Izzak plans to build out a fleet of 3-4 vans and outsource the management to one of our Camplify approved partners in his local area so he can travel off the income earned.

What do you enjoy most about sharing your van?

I love being able to facilitate incredible and memorable experiences. It's really cool hearing the enthusiasm and happiness the customers speak with when returning the van, and also learning more about places they have been for my adventures one day.

Tell us more about your van?

The sole purpose of the van initially was to use it as a mobile office plus to have a vehicle where I could swap it internationally and live the vanlife in other countries.

I wanted a van that would be sustainable and functional all around Australia. The back has been designed for entertaining, comfort and as a mobile workspace.

The van holds sentimental value to me as I've launched a few online businesses from the van and come up with some of my best ideas whilst sipping a cold beverage and nibbling on a cheese platter, it's even got a whiteboard for those late-night ideas!

My favourite part about the van would be the interior design & functionality, the table swings 360 degrees and also pops down into slats to create the queen size bed.

It has gas hot water shower out the back (for the winter months) and the TV/Apple TV - perfect for live sport, chilling out watching Netflix documentaries or even a fake fire background!

The van conversion was done in Burleigh Heads by a good friend Nathan and his team at Vintage Campervan Conversions - check him out on Instagram- he just moved to Melbourne and is converting amazing vans down there. If you're looking to get a van converted, I couldn't recommend him enough!

How has your experience with Camplify been?

An absolute breeze. The team are always super friendly and supportive to talk to, and they really want the best from your listing/bookings. Dealing with customers via Camplify app is super easy and handy as I am a member of their premium subscription. The bookings are flowing - well-done team!

I think it's a perfect time for anyone who is looking to hire out their campervan, trailer or caravan as travel bans with COVID are mainly allowing local travel. All you need to do is make a listing, clean your vehicle/camper, take some good quality pictures, fill the van with the essentials and you're away!

You can book an adventure in Izzak's van here. Want to stay updated on Izzak's vanlife? Follow his vanlife journey on Instagram.