Mackay Chill Diary: A Week of Coastal Van Life 🚐🌊

After 2 chaotic days at a Clermont gas station (and a dramatic escape from my Indian manager’s place—left $100 for the short rent, still waiting for my pay 💸), I drove 3 hours to Mackay—and instantly fell in love! The ocean glowed at sunset, and that salty breeze hit me like a hug. 🛌 Van Life 101 Sleep setup: $27 Kmart air mattress + Honda Fit’s "magic seats" = full-length bed (pro tip: push the passenger seat forward for extra legroom!). Showers: $5 at BP (south Mackay, with laundry) → upgraded to a $4 swim+shower combo at a city pool (thanks to a local tip!). Parking: Free overnight spots at Queens Park (northeast corner)—quiet, 100m to clean toilets, and stealth mode = no hassles. 🌴 Daily Routine: Peak Relaxation ☀️ Mornings: Beach-hopping, fishing, tide-pooling or just staring at the sea like a happy sloth. 🌙 Nights: Chilling at the harbor lighthouse, letting the wind mess up my hair. Zero job-hunting stress—just existing. 📍 Red Dots = My Mackay Highlights (see map!) Beaches: Empty, soft-sand gems (no tourists, just pelicans). City perks: Free parking everywhere, tasty eats (Thai/Vietnamese ftw!), and friendly locals who greet strangers. Why Mackay? ✔ Safe, sunny, and slow-paced (no big-city chaos). ✔ Cheap living (van life = $0 rent!). ✔ "Holiday vibes" on a budget—you’re always near the ocean. #AustraliaWHV #VanLifeDiaries