Freedom with Connection. Adventure with Community.
One platform that brings together the essentials for travelling Australia
The Founder’s Story
“When Tanya and I packed up and headed around Australia, freedom was what we were after. Along the way, we realised the road gives you space and adventure, but not always the genuine connection you expect”
Two Years of Freedom, 40,000 Km of Perspective
Yes, the sunsets were epic. The landscapes were breathtaking. But between those picture-perfect moments was a different reality:
- Campground chats that rarely went beyond polite hellos
- We’d meet lovely people who we’d genuinely click with, only to wave goodbye the next morning and never see them again
- Real-time, local updates were missing—the information you needed wasn’t available where you needed it most, scattered across numerous Facebook groups and social media sites
Every time we rolled into a new camp, it felt like starting from scratch. You never knew if there was something happening, or if people you’d met earlier were just a few vans away. Was there a group barbecue tonight? A hike tomorrow? Were friends we met earlier in the park?
We were surrounded by this massive community of people doing exactly what we were doing, yet somehow, we all felt like we were doing it alone.
And then came the everyday road struggles:
- The small mechanical issues that stop a trip cold, with no local help in sight
- Sitting on skills that could help fund the journey, but no way to offer them
- Finding out about a campfire gathering after it had already ended.
- Meeting incredible people on the road, knowing you might never see them again.
- Wondering who you knew was nearby, but having no easy way to find out or keep connected
The Lightbulb Moment
One evening at a bush campsite, we were sitting around a campfire with a couple of dozen other travellers. Everyone was friendly, but most of us stayed in our own little circles, scrolling on phones or making polite small talk.
One of the hardest parts of travelling was meeting great people and knowing that, by tomorrow, you would likely be heading in different directions. You would often think about who might be camped nearby, or who you had met along the way, but there was no simple way to reconnect or keep in touch on the road.
The vanlife community was already strong. The technology was already in our pockets. What was missing was a way to turn passing moments into meaningful connections.
Building VanLife Connect
VanLife Connect came out of all those frustrations Tanya and I experienced on the road.
It’s more than a travel app. It’s a simple way for travellers to find each other, built from what we needed out there ourselves.
Services Marketplace
A trusted way to find or offer real help, from caravan repairs to haircuts. Secure bookings, verified reviews, and fair payments mean no more uncertainty.
Community Noticeboard
One central hub for local events, meetups, activities, tips, and safety alerts. No more information scatter.
Travel Mates
Stay connected with your road family. See who’s nearby, get alerts when friends arrive, and never lose touch with the people who make the journey meaningful.
Smart Arrival™
Our game-changing feature that surfaces services, community and mates the moment you check in somewhere new. No endless searching—just instant connection.
Why This Matters
VanLife Connect is being shaped from the road, not from a city office. It’s built while living within the community it serves, learning firsthand what works and what doesn’t.
More people than ever are choosing a nomadic way of life in Australia. But the support systems around that lifestyle are still patchy and disconnected.
VanLife Connect is a step towards bringing that community together in a more practical way.
“It’s about more than day-to-day problems. IIt’s about finding a better sense of community when home is wherever you park tonight.”
Imagine arriving somewhere new and instantly knowing:
- ✨ There’s a happy hour at the community firepit at sunset
- 🔧 A fellow traveller who can fix your solar setup
- 👋 Three friends you met weeks ago are already camped in the caravan park
- 💰 Opportunities to earn income doing what you love, anywhere you choose
That’s what we’re working towards. A way to keep the freedom of the road, without losing connection or community along the way.
Gavin Spoors
Founder & CEO of VanLife Connect
“Life on the road showed me how easy it is to feel disconnected, even when you’re surrounded by people. VanLife Connect is my way of changing that”
Helping travellers stay connected on the road
Join the VanLife Connect early access list
Be among the first travellers to access the app as we launch beta testing across Australia.
Beta testing begins March • Public launch April
