Cost of living has been the talking point of 2024 as people across the country do it tough with seemingly no area of their lives left untouched by price hikes — housing, groceries, or bills.
Those looking to get ahead are increasingly forced to think outside the box and one Aussie doing just that is South Australian graphic designer Lyndsay who turned her back on a traditional way of living to move into a campervan full-time.
“I’ve been working my whole life, running my freelance business, and after dealing with housemate politics in a sharehouse, sinking money into rent and watching bills stack up, this just feels like the new version of ‘I bought my own place’,'” she told Yahoo News Australia.
One of the major drawbacks of living in a moving home is how to do it discretely, and Lydnsay has recently revealed the $7 Bunnings item that allows her to go unnoticed as she camps out on residential streets and car parks to save cash.
Free camping has become a contentious issue as many look to save cash by living in cars, vans and caravans — with many local residents voicing their concerns when the practice is done illegally. But there is one product Lyndsay said has helped her go unnoticed — the trusty tradie vest.
“Stealth camping is camping on the down-low— keeping it quiet and low-key so you don’t draw attention,” Lyndsay explained. “It’s often done in urban or semi-wild areas where camping isn’t officially allowed, like a quiet street, a park, or a tucked-away spot in nature.”
Lyndsay uses a tradie vest to keep her campervan acitivities “stealthy”. Source: TikTok/Instagram
Bunnings $7 item helps solo traveller ‘stealth’ camp
The idea, Lyndsay says, is to “blend in” and “leave no trace” while respecting the area of high importance.
“It’s perfect for van lifers or adventurers who just want a place to crash for the night without setting up a big campsite, or dealing with camp fees. This is where the trusty tradie vest comes in clutch,” she said.
The idea came from a friend who was converting a van into a liveable space with the help of a tradie who left his high-vis vest on the dash. He quickly realised it was a “genius stealth move”.
“To anyone passing by, it just screams “work van”, not “someone’s sleeping in here”, she said.
“So, I hit up Bunnings, grabbed one, scrunched it up a bit to make it look legit and now it lives on my dash. Whenever I’m not in the van or need to go stealth camping, I toss it up there. Works like a charm and nobody ever gives it a second glance.”
Stealth campers go unnoticed in Aussie towns and suburbs
Lyndsay has been “stealth camping” every night since she got her van a month ago and said it’s “such a vibe.” It’s been her dream to hit the road for over three years.
“The idea of a mobile home that doesn’t cost the earth, that you can take anywhere, just felt like the ultimate win,” she said. The decision allows her to “live freely and travel”.
“It’s about independence and sustainability and honestly, it’s exciting as hell,” she said.
Now, Lyndsay said she’s in her “hustle phase” working three jobs to build up a nest egg so that she can hit the road, and squeezing in small weekend breaks when she can.
“Even though I’m still in my hometown, it feels like I’m travelling—and that little bit of adventure makes everything feel so exciting,” she said,
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