The Small Gear That Makes a Big Difference
A van build budget goes quickly on the big-ticket items — fridge, solar, batteries. But some of the most impactful quality-of-life upgrades cost under A$100. These are the things experienced van lifers consistently recommend to people just starting out.
1. BioLite HeadLamp 330 Rechargeable — A$65
You use a headtorch every single day in van life. A quality USB-C rechargeable headtorch charges from your van's outlets and runs for 40+ hours. The BioLite HeadLamp 330 is the sweet spot of brightness, comfort, and battery life. Stop buying AAA batteries.
2. Camco Levelling Blocks (Set of 10) — A$45
Sleeping on a tilted surface ruins sleep quality over time. Levelling blocks take 2 minutes to set up and make a genuine, immediate difference. Essential gear that most people don't think about until their third week of van life.
3. Stanley Classic 1L Vacuum Flask — A$55
Coffee at 7am without having to get the stove out. Hot water for a hot water bottle on cold nights. Tea on a hiking trail. The Stanley 1L keeps liquids hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 — and the lid is a cup. One of the most-used pieces of kit in a van.
4. MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove — A$89
73 grams. Fits in your pocket. Boils water in 3.5 minutes. The Pocket Rocket 2 is the stove that goes in your daypack when you leave the van, cooks breakfast outside when you don't want to mess up the van kitchen, and backs up your main stove when it fails. It will fail. Have backup cooking.
5. Collapsible Silicone Kettle — A$25
Collapses flat for storage. Makes coffee and instant noodles. Takes up no space. One of those items that sounds unnecessary until you've been living in a van for a week and realise you need a kettle.
6. 12V USB Power Strip — A$35
Multiple USB-A and USB-C outlets that plug into your 12V socket. Charge phones, headlamps, speakers, and cameras simultaneously. Significantly tidier than multiple separate chargers.
7. Silky Oak Compact Broom and Dustpan — A$22
A van floor gets dirty extremely quickly. Sand, dirt, dust, crumbs. A compact broom used daily takes 90 seconds and keeps the van feeling liveable. This sounds boring. It is not boring when your van looks and feels clean after 3 months on the road.
8. Dry Bags (5L + 10L) — A$30
Van life involves beaches, rivers, rain, and damp gear. Dry bags protect electronics, clothes, and sleeping gear from condensation and surprise weather. Get a 5L for electronics and a 10L for clothes.
9. Hanging Shoe Organiser — A$15
The most underrated van life storage hack. Hangs from a cabinet or door, holds shoes, tools, cables, toiletries, snacks. Adds significant organised storage for almost no cost or weight.
10. Compression Packing Cubes — A$35
Clothes take disproportionate space in a van. Compression packing cubes halve the volume of your clothing storage. Particularly important for sleeping bag storage in humid coastal areas.
11. Carabiner Clips (Pack of 20) — A$12
Hang things from anywhere. Wet towels, grocery bags, gear from roof bars, bag straps to keep them from sliding. Carabiners are the duct tape of van life organisation.
12. Portable Water Filter (LifeStraw or Sawyer Squeeze) — A$45–75
Free camps often have bore water or tank water of uncertain quality. A portable filter gives you confidence drinking from any tap or natural water source. Also useful for hiking days.
13. Silicone Stretch Lids (Set of 6) — A$18
Cover pots, bowls, and containers without needing matching lids. Stretch to fit anything. Reduce food spillage in a moving vehicle. One of those items you buy once and never think about again.
14. Clip-On LED Book Light — A$12
Reading in bed in a van without turning on the overhead lights. Simple, effective, uses USB charging. Your van partner will thank you.
15. Portable Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge — A$25
Correct tyre pressure matters more in a loaded van than a normal car. An overloaded van with under-inflated tyres is a genuine safety risk on long outback drives. Check pressure weekly. A digital gauge gives an accurate reading in 5 seconds.