New life. New Chapters. New Adventures.

 

In 2018, I moved with my daughters to Queensland. Once we were settled, that familiar itch for road trips, camping and adventure started creeping back in. But my daughters were now in their later teenage years, and their priorities had changed. Friends, social lives and teenage adventures had taken over — and apparently, camping and roadtripping with Mum was no longer “cool.” 

 

So, it was time for a new kind of adventure. Then along came the Vans. Enter #TheVanginas (a registered trademark) and #MyVangina

 

I wanted the freedom of a van — something easy to drive, easy to pack up and, most importantly, something that would allow me to be "spontaneous". I wanted to be able to wake up one morning, decide where I wanted to go, throw a few things in the van and simply take off. But now I didn’t feel safe doing it completely on my own.

 

Then I met Julie - Julie was also flying solo and had been dreaming about buying a van and building it out for her own adventures. It didn’t take long for us to realise we had more than friendship in common. Our passion for vans, vanlife, and the desire to explore, travel and embrace adventure was the same. We knew that having a travelling companion would make life on the road feel a little safer... together.

 

And then came Joyce - When I met Joyce, our adventurous spirits and zest for life connected immediately. Joyce is a sporty, outdoorsy and independent woman who loved getting out and exploring as well. I told Joyce about what Julie and I were planning… and immediately Joyce chimed “count me in!” And just like that, we were three Sisters. With three Vans. Together we became Vanlife enthusiasts and adventurers.... and the biggest supporters of each other.

 

We decided we wanted to give ourselves a nickname. We wanted something cheeky. Something fun, and about girls… and our vans.

 

Wine was poured. Lots of names were spun around…. until “VAN-GINAS” came out amongst a spray of wine filled laughter. It was cheeky…. and hilarious…. And oh so perfect! So it STUCK.

 

Together we learned the ins and outs of Vanlife together — sharing tips, experiences, road wisdom, sunrise coffees, sunset drinks, mini getaways, and random road trips. Together we made lots of (hilarious) mistakes along the way. Missed turn offs. Break downs. Dead batteries. Turning right when we should have turned left, naked creek swims, campfires that were nearly raging out of control (ok maybe that’s just like telling the tale of the fish that was “this big”), waking up to cows sticking their heads in our vans … hungover mornings… shared hearty cooked breakfasts …. hiking trails and hugging trees ... and a whole lot of belly-aching laughs along the way.

 

And then something beautiful and unexpected happened. Our  Vangina Vibe was becoming contagious….

 

As our three Vanginas (yes our vans...) travelled around, we would meet other incredible independent women living, travelling and adventuring on the road as well. Some on their own. Others in with friends, or families. It was the mid 2020’s, and getting out in vans of all shapes and sizes was quickly becoming more popular than the many decades before. It was becoming a “thing” during a time that “staycations” were a priority when we couldn’t travel the world. It was a time everyone was redefining their lives, relationships, and their ideas of adventure and new freedom chapters ahead. Everyone would see the “The Vanginas” logos on our Vans, and our V-Tees. People would stop dead in their tracks …and look twice. Then they would see it… the words  “The Vanginas” …. and immediately burst out laughing.

 

Then came the chats. The laughs. The stories. The connections. And the questions of “How can I be a VANGINA SISTA too?”

 

What had started as me chasing a dream that was taken from me, and three friends looking for companionship, adventure and a little extra confidence on the road together. Quickly became something so much more....

 

It became a place where women could connect, share stories, swap tips, laugh at the misadventures of Vanlife, cheer each other on — and enjoy some much needed soul sister time along the way. The Vangina Sisterhood started to multiply. More like minded women started to joining in on our getaways and adventures. 

We opened the doors…

Not just to women with vans.

Not just to experienced travellers.

For women looking for connection.
Women craving adventure.
Women wanting to grow their social sister tribe.
Women who wanted a few more laughs, a little more encouragement.

Women who wanted to feel WILD and FREE again.

Women who wanted to feel welcomed, supported and like they belonged….
 

After all what’s better than one Vangina…? A whole Sisterhood of Vanginas!

 

Because “Roadtrips and Adventures are better together”

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