Behind the Scenes on a 6000km Road Trip With a Van Full of Art
How I packed my van for a solo trip across four states to share my art with the world.
When everyone else was heading to the polls on Election Day, I was packing my van to begin a solo road trip from Adelaide to Brisbane. I had my art carefully tucked into boxes wrapped like burritos in old quilts, a full tank of diesel, and a playlist full of eclectic all-girl tunes. I'd cleared all of May to make this trip part business, part rest, part see-what-happens. It felt wild. Free. A little unhinged. And completely me.
Behind the Scenes: Leaving Adelaide
Was I organised? Absolutely not.
I’d planned to leave by 10am, but if you know me, you’ll know that plans are suggestions at best. By the time my daughter returned home for her lunch break from volunteering at the polling booth, I was still knee-deep in van chaos, shoving boxes into corners and tucking art into every soft crevice, like a panicked squirrel.
The van looked like an op shop exploded. Art was triple-bubble-wrapped, boxed, then cocooned in old quilts to stop anything bumping against the bed frame. This was pure function with zero cute #vanlife setup. Quilts, crates, food, clothes, and creativity stacked in survival mode. I wasn’t waiting for perfection. I just wanted to go.
By 1pm, I finally pulled out of the driveway, hopeful for the election results and feeling a strange cocktail of relief and anticipation. I’d be on the road for nearly a month. Just me, my art, and whatever the world wanted to show me.
Stage One: Hay, Narrabri, and Into the Wide Open Spaces
Stop 1: Hay
Late that first night, I rolled into Hay, exhausted but happy. The caravan park had a lockbox with my details, and I had that first taste of quiet independence. In the morning, I made porridge on my tiny gas burner, sipped my espresso, and felt so proud. Just me, in the middle of nowhere, feeding myself, caffeinating myself, doing the damn thing.
Stop 2: Narrabri
Driving from Hay to Narrabri, I passed through towns like West Wyalong, where the salad wrap I ordered came with beetroot and grated carrot, accompanied by a side of chats with the person making the sandwiches, and tasted like the most Aussie country town lunch ever. The landscapes were slowly changing, and by the time I reached Narrabri, the country was starting to feel lush again. Different. New. I could feel myself softening.
The Main Event: Affordable Art Fair Brisbane
Brisbane felt big. Warm. Vibrant. The Queenslander homes made me feel like I was stepping into a live-action episode of Bluey. And the Art Fair? Magic.
I got to meet so many beautiful humans I'd only known online. Artists, collectors, and friends. People were surprised to hear I’d driven from Adelaide, and I loved telling them about the road trip. My display with 380co looked stunning (if I do say so myself), and seeing my work hanging and hearing everyone say how happy they felt looking at my work made every kilometre worth it.
The four pieces that sold
These artworks are now living in beautiful homes across Queensland. If you're curious about what’s still available (or you’ve fallen in love with one you missed), you can shop the remaining originals here or commission your own custom piece.
Oh, and check out these photos with my lovely new collectors. These moments are why I love what I do!
‘In My Me Era’
‘Create Your Path’ and ‘
Little Happy Moments’
‘Just Try Me’
Lessons From the Road: What I’ve Learned So Far
Here are a few things I learned on the way to Brisbane:
There’s no “perfect” time. Just go.
Packing art is an Olympic sport. Triple bubble wrap, cardboard corners, baking paper, and a healthy amount of ‘am I doing this right?’ panic-fuelled impostor syndrome.
Being solo doesn’t mean being alone. I shared the journey with family group chats, Instagram stories, and so, so many conversations with strangers.
Creative chaos is still creative, and the last minute is my superpower. (Actually, sleeping anywhere is my superpower, but that is for a different story.) My van may have looked like a linen basket had a nervous breakdown, but everything arrived safely. And that’s what matters.
For You, My Friend
Maybe you’ve secretly dreamed of packing a van, hitting the road, or starting something bold and brave. Maybe you're craving more beauty, more colour, more freedom in your life.
If so, I know there is a piece of art infused with adventure from this journey that’s ready to travel home with you.
It took me three days, nearly 2,000km, nine coffees, two audiobooks, and an all-girl playlist to get to Brisbane. But every minute of that drive reminded me that creative freedom isn’t a dream. It’s a choice. And I’m so glad I chose this.
Check back next week for Part 2 of my 6000km adventure. xo Sandra
Audiobooks for Road Tripping
Because what’s a solo road trip without a book binge?
| Title | Author | Finished? |
|---|---|---|
| Book Lovers | Emily Henry | ✅ Yes (loved it, no shame!) |
| Orbital | Samantha Harvey | ❌ No (beautiful, but too slow for road-tripping) |
| Game of Thrones (Book 1) | George R. R. Martin | ❌ No (too slow, too boring, sorry not sorry) |
| The Good Wife of Bath | Karen Brooks | ✅ Yes (long but worth it) |
| The Season | Helen Garner | ✅ Yes (surprisingly lovely) |
| The House That Joy Built | Holly Ringland | ✅ Yes (heartfelt and nourishing) |
| The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart | Holly Ringland | ✅ Yes (tough start but gorgeous payoff) |
