I’m Emily (@adventurewithemily), a solo traveller exploring Australia with my dog Luna and my cat Misty. After living in a van for three years, I knew I wanted a little more space, comfort, and something that truly felt like home.
My Toyota Coaster became that dream. I stripped it right back to bare bones and rebuilt everything from scratch. The build was hard, much harder than I expected if I’m honest, but it was also incredibly rewarding learning new skills and overcoming the challenges.
This bus has given me a level of comfort I didn’t realise I was missing. No matter where I park, it feels like home. And I’m so proud to say I built my dream tiny home with my own two hands.
The biggest lesson I learned building the bus is that I’m capable of so much more than I ever expected. A DIY build can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re learning things like 12V electrical, plumbing, and figuring out what to tackle next.
My advice: if I can do it, you absolutely can too. You learn as you go, and the confidence builds with every step. And just a heads up... your build timeline will definitely take longer than you think and that’s totally okay.
Reliable power and a good sized fridge are absolute game changers for off-grid life. My solar setup and electrical system let me stay parked up for long stretches without worrying about power, and having enough food and water on board means I can comfortably stay off-grid for two weeks or more.
Staying off-grid really comes down to balance ensuring I manage power, water, and food so I can enjoy the freedom without having to rush back to town.
My Renogy electrical system is the heart of my build, it powers everything from my fridge to my cooking setup to all my electronics. I truly couldn’t live full time in the bus without it.
And with pets on board, having the Dometic air conditioner has been a huge game changer. In my old van, keeping Luna and Misty cool in warm weather was a constant worry. Now, knowing the bus stays comfortable and safe for them gives me so much peace of mind.
Tasmania is hands down my favourite place in Australia. It’s hard to choose just one spot because the whole state is so diverse. It’s also the most dog friendly state I’ve travelled through. Luna can join me hiking mountains, visiting waterfalls & swimming at pristine beaches which makes exploring even more special. There are so many beautiful, pet friendly campsites too, which makes living and travelling in a vehicle feel easy and enjoyable. Tasmania truly has a piece of my heart.
