It was love at first tik tok when we first stumbled across Alice Bleathman from @aliceandziggy, with her real and candid conversations with strangers series from her life on the road living in her van. We knew we had to reach out and find out more about Alice and her delicious banana pancakes!
Tell us a little bit about you and living out of a van?
Absolutely! I have been living in my van for a year now and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s been a dream of mine for years to travel around Australia, but my work never allowed me to be online, so I put it to the side for a very long time.
I started my online dietetic business during COVID and started posting on Instagram sharing my nutrition knowledge. After a while I realised that I could travel AND work in my business. So in 2023 I bit the bullet, bought a van, fitted it out and started my trip. I started my TikTok page when I left, and it’s grown quite quickly through my travel content, along with my Instagram page.
Why do you think strangers love talking to people in vans?
People are SO interested in this lifestyle. I think it’s because it’s such a new concept for younger people to travel and work in their van. It’s not just for those who are retired. I also think there are a lot of people who want to do it, but are not able to – so they live vicariously through my content and stories of others!
What is it about #Vanlife that you love?
Without a doubt the people you meet! Everyone I’ve met on the road doing similar things to me are some of the most grounded, down to earth, amazing people I have ever met! We all share a common interest and it’s great to be able to have fun, share memories, and connect with them all.
Funniest thing to happen on the road?
We laugh about this now, but we didn’t have electricity in the van for 2 weeks and so every morning we’d go to a local McDonalds to charge our computers/phones because everything was dead. We also survived off canned tuna and beans because we didn’t have a fridge for those days as well. It was a ‘this’ll be funny in the future’ moment for sure!
Do you plan your trip or go where the wind takes you?
I haven’t planned much at all. I planned to go anti-clockwise when I first started my lap of Australia (starting from Sydney and driving up the coast), and I’ve changed direction completely (now going clockwise to the west), following the seasons! It’s great to have some plan to make sure you’re not missing any amazing spots but being too strict on the route/timelines can restrict you a lot.
Best cooking hacks and gadgets when cooking in a van?
I hardly eat much meat because it’s so much easier to cook veggo! I was introduced to soy protein recently and it’s the BEST mince replacement on the planet! I only have one pan and one pot, and I can make so many different meals from these alone. Less is best!
Fave Australian destination to travel to?
I’ve been so impressed by South Australia so far! I cannot wait to head to Western Australia and explore areas like Esperance and Exmouth. I don’t have favourites but anywhere with a beach you can drive on or some epic snorkelling will always have my heart!
Secret spot that you’ve discovered that should be on the map but is not?
South Australia 10000%. There’s a spot called Sellicks Beach that you can drive straight on with a 2WD and it’s hardly ever busy. Such a beautiful part of SA.
Fave Cocobella product?
I LOVE the OG straight up Cocobella Coconut Water
What’s in your go-to smoothie?
Banana, peanut butter, Cocobella Coconut Yoghurt, and some chocolate protein powder! Simple but it taste SOOOOO GOOD!
Dream destination you could drive to even if physically impossible.
I would LOVE to road trip are New Zealand – especially in the winter season with skiing!
Three people you would recommend following on Tik Tok?
@tjtauroa (bias but true haha)
What is it like living in your van with your gorgeous dog Ziggy?
Living in a van with a dog can be difficult, I’m not going to lie! We can’t go to some national parks, and we always have to make sure he’s not too hot (especially during Summer periods), has enough water, and isn’t left in the van (which can be hard when you need go to shops etc!). But he is my everything and I would never ever do something like this without him.
