Jason is a DIY tragic who would rather build it himself than pay someone to do it for him. In addition to travel videos, this channel will include some videos on his creations ranging from campervan builds to landscape gardening - Jason can do half a job on anything!
I did have a short ride around there, but it was really wet and muddy, so not that enjoyable. If it ever dries out, I will definitely be back to try again.
You're so brave thundering along those off-road stoney bike paths. I love following along, and you edit your videos seamlessly.. I keep expecting to fall off the bike but so pleased that never happens. Your really getting the most out of your van life. I appreciate your down to earth, calm Aussie exploration vibe too. Im a new subscriber. Thank you and keep going. I'm learning a lot about Van life in our state too.
Thankyou very much and really happy to have you following along 😊 really appreciate the feedback! I did crash in the Bowen Mountain video. Doesn't happen often but sometimes I go too far 😂
Hey Jason. Do any of the mapping apps you have enable you to pin location details (GPS coordinates), add notes, etc. so you can use those details for directions at some point in the future? A little like a fish finder allows good fishing or bait spots to be GPS tagged. Great video once again. Cheers.
Thanks mate!😁 For long term pinning, I just use Google maps. I save locations into various lists....camps sites, taps,etc. Strava will plot your entire activity and you can clearly see the line of where you've been. That's the app I showed on the video. I think other apps do allow similar features but you need to pay 😂
Love the videos. I was riding around north head and Q station area same day. Happy to show you some nice mtb trails here on central coast. Unless of course you know them all. Can provide some off st parking too. 😂
Thanks! I'm thinking of heading to Kincumber as I haven't done any videos there yet. Some nice scenery around the trails. Not sure when though. I'm pretty bad at sticking to plans....no real need for me to do so 😂 Be sure to say hello if you see me around 😁
Yeah, daily 😂 It's a bit costly to get it done and I'm on a limited budget at the moment. Also, I do like the amount of light coming in during the day....it's a tough one, because I would like the privacy....bank account says no for now though 😂
We get the same issue, here in the north coast, with people parking/camping and not really making any attempt to make it look like they are every trying to conceal it, even though some places specifically say no camping 😀 There's gotta be that small percentage that spoils it for the rest. The council workers know who the "houseless" people are and usually obliging, and turn a blind eye to it but it does invite others to think well if it's ok for them then it's ok for me to do it; which kinda irks locals. Lots of tough situations that councils have to deal with. I guess you can officially call yourself houseless, and not be lying about it 😀 Thanks for the vid. Does the mountain bike cam make the tracks look hairier than they are? Certainly looks pretty wild in some sections!
Yeah, I get the impression that councils are being a little more lenient with the known homeless people. I've had a warning from a ranger once (I was only day parking too) while there were 3 old cars parked on the road behind me that are clearly people's homes...but they were doing it rough....I'm definitely not....that makes all the difference. Actually, the camera on the bike tends to make things look less extreme. Everyone talks about the "GoPro effect" where things that are crazy steep in real life just look flat on camera 😂
You know, I don't think I've ever seen that movie. Or maybe it was so long ago I just can't remember 😂 Think I was about 10 or so when it came out....that's scary😜
I worked as a Paramedic in this area for many years. Went to some horrendous injuries from the mountain bike track during that time. A lady also broke her ankle on the Falls Walk and had to be winched out, which all went well. Her husband and dogs were supposed to walk back out to their car, but he never emerged. A major search ensued for many, many hours. It got dark and the sign posting was pretty average to say the least. He got off track and couldn’t find his way back. We eventually found him when we heard his dogs bark, but he had been wandering for about 6 hours at that point and was a man in his late 7O’s. Thankfully he was unharmed. The Pines can get wild. We used to go up there frequently to big parties where it was usually someone super intoxicated teenager puking. Hard to find a prettier place when it’s quiet though.
Fortunately I haven't had a big stack yet where I haven't been able to make my own way to hospital 😁 I have picked up a few people off the tracks over the years. Worst one was a dislocated shoulder, but when he asked me who I was for the 5th time, I figured ambulance time... And I can imagine everything you've said about that walk! Can't say I'm overly well prepared, but I have enough to not get lost....also have ambulance cover, which I'm sure will be great if they ever find me 😂
Love watching the riding, looks like lots of fun!! Also appreciate that you put up the google maps location, very helpful! Stay away from those mosquitoes… I was travelling around Australia 7 years ago and got infected with Ross River and never recovered and have been chronically ill since.
That's terrible....I knew Ross River wasn't a lot of fun, but to have such long term impact.....I need to get into the habit of spraying myself when I go into these places, particularly as the weather warms up. Glad to hear you and others enjoy the riding footage. I do a lot of it so hopefully can keep it interesting 😁
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces yes, it’s been awful, but it is what it is. One of the reasons I enjoy videos like yours. I still get that sense of adventure! 😊
Hi Adam. Yes, I used to work for Ford and got an employee discount 😁 Having said that though, they are very good value for the equipment and technology you get for the price. No need for me to be loyal to Ford anymore, but I would definitely consider buying another in the future.
@@Whisky_Warriorhard to tell cost exactly, even though I track all my spending. It's just that my movements vary quite a lot. It would be around $60 per week. I try to fill up every 2nd week and I get about 800km per tank. The van itself gets about 11.0 l/100km when I'm doing a lot of short trips. If I'm cruising in the highway, it can be about 9 L/100km, but I don't do that sort of driving often. Overall, though, I'm very happy with how little fuel it uses for a 3300kg house 😂
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Thanks Jason, that makes sense that it is not wholly consistent. Great info though for when I get a van and thought it might be higher. It is a relatively cheap way to live and as you are showing highly rewarding. Love your vids mate.
Thanks mate. As a comparison, the Ranger with slideon that I had previously (see one of my old videos) would do 12.5 l/100km on the freeway....vans are good! 😂
I’m enjoying your channel. I love how you are showing off Sydney’s wonderful bushland. I hope overseas visitors see your channel and see how much Sydney has to offer
Great video Jason. You're taking us viewers to many places that I c for one certainly haven't visited. Your mountain bike cam footage is terrific. Did you pick any leeches on that walk? Cheers, Sean.
Thanks Sean. Did a lot of riding over those few days so hopefully not too boring 😊 And luckily, no leeches this time! I've got 2 big lumps on the back of my ankle still from those things...😂
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces I love the riding. I'm seriously thinking of getting myself a good all terrain bike. I used to ride on the road, however it's become more dangerous and the roads are s**t.
@SeanC1959 yeah, I really don't like riding on the roads. Too many people either not paying attention or with a bad attitude.... Off road is a stack of fun!
Great riding. Mt Narra MTB trails is one I've never known about. It's another MTB trail to add to the list. It looks like some fantastic trails to explore.
A lot of very rocky hard core stuff out there, but that up and the second down trail I showed are great. Stacks of trails all around the area too. You could ride for days! Get Trailforks if you don't already have it.
I wish you were able to have some info like speed and elevation on your gopro when you ride. It always looks like you're going really fast. I just found this video on how to turn speed etc on. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aVSoS0ZaU30.html
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces I watch most RU-vid videos at 1:75 speed so you always look rapid to me and I always think jeez...until I remember that the video is 1:75 again 😀
My partner and I have just discovered your channel and are loving it. You are very engaging, and the kayak trip was visually lovely. Keep up the good work.
I don't have anything set up for messaging yet, unfortunately. I should get around to that one day 😂 Best to keep your favourite spot to yourself 😁 I never stay in one area for long anyway.
How safe do you feel and how easy is parking etc ? Finding water etc …..I’m doing a sprinter and wanted to do vanlife but very nervous 😬 love your vlogs !!!
Thank you and thanks for watching. I think they are very common questions and something I talk about a lot in my videos. Not sure how many you've watched, but finding water and somewhere I feel comfortable to sleep are the biggest issues, but not usually hard to resolve. Water is pretty much everywhere, particularly around larger towns. Over time you tend to get more comfortable with sleeping in backstreets, etc, but there are campsites around that you can use to get started.
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces thanks so much 🙏🏼 I am watching all your vlogs now 🤭… sometimes I feel like maybe I’m not being realistic and think of selling my van… love watching your vlogs as they motivate me
@Molkena27 it's not as hard and scary as your thinking. There's so many solo females out there too. You just need to use common sense and be prepared to move if your not comfortable....but I rarely have issues. Don't sell your van without at least trying it first! 😁
More gorgeous scenery. Thank you for taking us with you. Where you were pointing over at Woy Woy/Umina is where we’ve just been. We were at the lookout looking over to Palm beach yesterday & spent Saturday night at Woy Woy. It’s so beautiful around there. Lots of beautiful scenery. You would love Bouddi national park!
Thank you again for another wonderful beach , I know I always comment about how beautiful the views are , but they are very beautiful , so thank you again for the views and the beaches <3 :D
I haven't done it for a great many years but you used to be able to walk from the rock platforms just south the Bogey Hole below King Edward Park Newcastle all the way to Dudley Beach, traversing several rock platforms to get to Susan Gilmore Beach just north of Bar Beach, another between Merewether and Burwood Beach and another one before accessing North Dudley Beach. There's also another rock platform between Dudley Beach and Redhead Beach but I'm not sure if its traversable on foot. Have you ever done that walk, Jason? By the way, kudos on your videos. Very enjoyable.
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying them 😊 I will definitely try Bogey hole to Susan Gilmore. Really want to check out that rock shelf. I haven't done either of those walks. They sound like a nice walk for calm seas 😁
You take full advantage of living in a van and being able to travel wherever you want, youre a true explorer and thats what makes you stand out. Keep it up!
Thank you so much for your videos. I never knew there is so much to see around Sydney. Thank you also for the screen notes as to where you searched for the sites. It's much appreciated. Sydney is a city I've avoided like the plague. But is seems worthwhile having a bumble around.
If you don't like busy cities, then Sydney is certainly a struggle, but there are a lot of beautiful pockets hidden around....just need to find them. Hopefully you can follow some of my leads 😁
Ew leeches! It’s what I fear most hiking. Love the Barrenjoey Lighthouse. Glad you bought the non hot dumpling sauce Jason (yellow lid). Red lid would be a bit hot if you’re gamed. Happy to see you remembered to use it for stir fry too. Remember to shake bottle before using to get the most taste out of it.
Yeah, not a big fan of leeches either.... It was really hard to find the sauce in the shelf, but finally got it 😂 Tastes great and yes, I saw the oils seperate in the bottle.... definitely need to shake. Tastes pretty good on the stir fry too, but think I need to add a little more than I did. Thanks for the recommendation 😃
The pink fungi was amazing!!! And the honeycombed sandstone & caves. And the mossy rocks. I must admit, I’ve watched this video about 4 times so far 😂😂😂
Try using a styptic pencil (or styptic powder) on the leech bite to stop the bleeding? Thankyou SO much for all the wonderful waterfalls, mossy rocks, and great views. I’m a bit mobility-challenged at the moment, so your videos are my vicarious explorations 😂
My last account was blocked by RU-vid and I have spent the last few days battling with admins to reinstate it but they decided in the end that I was a spammer after I tried numerous times to make a comment on your channel. I think I told you last time that RU-vid kept deleting any comments I made. Eventually they blocked my account altogether. Anyway if it happens again I might just give up on RU-vid altogether. Very frustrating! Thanks for video. Good to see that you're still getting about in the cold ... ahem ... freezing weather brrrr. Then again, you used to live in Victoria so it can't be that bad haha. It's been a while since I last made my way to the northern beaches to do some walking - I think the last would have been around Avalon/Mona Vale somewhere as I had friends there. I must admit Bald Patch cam is pretty hairy (or perhaps lack thereof) 🙂 Hope you get some warmer weather.
😂 thanks Tony. I should make bald spot cam a feature for each video. 😂 That's annoying about your account getting blocked. Maybe because you tried to post a link to an external website...very annoying. I've never tried to share a link before but know it can be hit and miss in various platforms. Hopefully you don't get messed about again!
I remember when paid parking first started at Palmy in early 80s, we were renting so ok for us being locals but we were shocked at the price. May have been $10 for the day. $40 now...crazy! Used to windsurf on the Pittwater side, doesn't look to have changed a lot, more boats and people. Looked like Newport you were driving through, wow, busy and different! Between Avalon, Whale Beach, Clareview (?) and Palmy used to be tiny narrow windy roads lined with bamboo. So tropical for me, coming from Adelaide :) Ahhh memories :) And yes, the wind, brrr. Lovely waterfalls you found, pity off the walking track, wondered if you would get leeched haha. Horrible itchy things. Might have to try that dumpling sauce and the pepper oil...yum.
It's all very well populated up there now, and plenty of very new, no doubt very expensive houses! Would have been a very different place in the 80s...
Another leech who doesnt pay his way and blocks parking spots for other tourists. Maybe the hoons will collect your van. Try the dessert with all your friends.
I really appreciate you sharing all of these places that you explore with us. It has given us loads of different places that we haven’t seen before. After watching your video on the Lost city in Lithgow we went and explored it last weekend, wow , that place is just incredible. So thankyou , by sharing that with us it gave us a reason to get out and explore. Love your videos and look forward to watching more. Ps . The waterfalls were amazing, but I’m always worried that your backpack is going to get caught on something climbing down those big rocks and cliffs 🫣 with it being on your back. Maybe take a rope and lower it down first? Great video
Thanks Jeanie. Great to hear you been out to one of those places. Once it warms up out west, I want to go deeper into those mountains. Those formations go for miles! I think a lot of the little climbs I do look worse than they are....well some anyway 😁
Thanks for the offer, but yes...I would roll out of bed 😂 It's pretty good around your area. Nice and quiet, except in the industrial area near Bunnings 😁
I spent a lot of my youth around the northern beaches but it's been years since I've been there. I remember when I was a little kid spending the day at Palm Beach, I think we even camped there, and as a teen staying at Narrabeen caravan park and sailing at Pittwater. Some good memories and such a beautiful place.
Great video Jason. I had a feeling that you would pick up a few leeches walking through those low ferns near the creek. Good drop off points for them I've noticed from previous bushwalks. You sure do pack a lot into one day. Very inspiring. Do you see a time, in the future, when you will buy another bricks and mortar home so to speak? Cheers, Sean.
Thanks Sean. Been lucky with leeches until this walk. Always got them off before they bit me...luck ran out 😂 No plans to buy a house yet. I also want to live in Asia for a while, so who knows where I'll end up
Not sure if you did Bangalley Headland in Avalon? It's is a stunning walk. I used to love going there. Those waterfalls around St Ives were beautifully captured. Always worth going off the beaten path 😉
Thanks Julia. I did see that walk in the map, but the weather was so unpleasant that I didn't bother getting out of the van again 😂 Job for another day!
