Throwback Blog Series: Our First Camper Van Adventure.

This is a story about the first camper van that we loved. It was a remarkable pink and white van from Wicked Campers in Australia. It’s name was “Kill Bunny.” We didn’t name it. The name was painted all over it.

Wicked Campers can’t be mistaken for anything else. If you have seen one, you remember it. We reserved the least expensive option. When we arrived to pick it up, they pointed us to what I considered to be quite an offensive camper. It was painted with a giant bunny holding an automatic weapon. The word “kill” was painted on my door. The back door was painted with the following words: You aren’t drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on.

Wicked Camper’s front entrance proudly displayed van’s painted with John Lennon’s “Imagine”, The Beatles, flowers, and jelly beans. Even Fat Albert looked good to me! I suggested that CD go in and ask if we could trade for “Imagine.” It turns out that less offensive graphics were considered an upgrade. Well, Kill Bunny it was! Over time, I saw Wicked campers painted with Kamasutra, even more shocking sexual references, and down right offensive sayings. With progressively more off color graphics, I came to love the Kill Bunny more and more.

The camper came with all of the basics. This included a table that converted to a bed, a single propane burner, two camping chairs, and clear instructions. The instructions were given in the form of stickers. The stickers said things like the following: If you swerve to avoid a kangeroo you will likely roll over.

Kill Bunny was a wild ride! It bounced like crazy at the slightest bump or cross wind. CD remarked that the speed limits signs were now more like aspirations than limits. Our driving days were short as it was easy to believe that hitting any animal would be a disaster. Our headlights weren’t really up to par and the shocks were crazy!

We started by heading West from Melbourne towards the Twelve Apostles. Inspired by Point Break, we stopped at Bell’s Beach and admired the view. From the Twelve Apostles we headed North towards Falls Creek Ski Resort.

Vincent at the Twelve Apostles
Falls Creek: Skiing, snow shoeing, hiking all on the same slope.

We hiked through the woods to the golf course in Mount Beauty in order to see our first Kangaroos of the trip. From there we headed East again.

Just as Kill Bunny was starting to feel like home, it started to squeak louder than ever before. It turned out that we threw out a throw out bearing. Who knew?! Wicked Vans took care of the repairs and we were back on the road in no time.

We got to see the power of Kill Bunny first hand when CD turned around on this country road. The back wheels dipped from the shoulder of the road down an incline that was at least 1-2 feet. Kill Bunny was stuck! The combination of grass and a slight incline was too much for the Bunny to over come. Don’t worry, I rolled up my sleeves and pushed it out. That was the last time we turned around a gentle slope.

Stayed tuned for our next blog post, titled: “Peeing with Amphibians”.

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Our First Campervan Adventure: Australia.

This is a story about the first campervan that we loved. It was a remarkable pink and white van from Wicked Campers in Australia. We didn’t name it but the name was painted all over it, Kill Bunny.

Wicked Campers can’t be mistaken for anything else. When we arrived to pick it up, they pointed us to what I considered to be quite an offensive camper. A giant bunny holding an automatic weapon was painted on the side. “Kill” was painted on the door. The back door was painted with the following words: “You aren’t drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on.”

Wicked Camper’s parking lot proudly displayed van’s painted with John Lennon’s “Imagine”, The Beatles, flowers, and jelly beans. Even Fat Albert looked good to me! I suggested that CD go in and ask if we could trade for “Imagine.” It turns out that less offensive graphics were considered an upgrade.

Well, Kill Bunny it was! Over time, I saw Wicked campers painted with Kamasutra, even more shocking sexual references, and down right offensive sayings. I came to love the Kill Bunny more and more.

Wicked Campervan Australia, Amenities

All of the expected amenities were included. There was a table that converted to a bed, a single propane burner, two camping chairs, and clear instructions. Stickers on the dashboard gave safety instruction. “If you swerve to avoid a kangaroo you will likely roll over”.

Kill Bunny was a wild ride! It bounced like crazy at the slightest bump or cross wind. Speed limits signs were now more like aspirations than limits. Driving days were short as it was easy to believe that hitting any animal would be a disaster. Our headlights weren’t really up to par and the shocks were crazy!

Our Route

West from Melbourne, we stopped at Bell’s Beach, admired the view and continued on to the Twelve Apostles. It was north towards Falls Creek Ski Resort from there.

The Twelve Apostles beautiful view.
Falls Creek offers skiing, snow shoeing, and hiking all on the same slope. Therefore, something for everyone

The first kangaroos of our trip were spotted by hiking through the woods to the golf course in Mount Beauty. From there we headed east again.

Kill Bunny started squeaking louder and louder, just as it was starting to feel like home. It turned out to be a throw out bearing. Who knew?! Wicked Vans took care of the repairs and we were back on the road in no time.

The kill bunny is on the road again and ready to go! We got stuck a minute later, however.

Kill Bunny’s power was seen first hand when CD turned around on this country road. The back wheels dipped from the shoulder of the road down an incline that was 1-2 feet, at least.

We were stuck! The combination of grass and a slight incline was too much for the Bunny to over come. Don’t worry, I rolled up my sleeves and pushed it out. That was the last time we turned around on a gentle slope.

It looks nice but doesn’t have too much power, however. I pushed it out with one hand and we continued on our way.

Stayed tuned for our next blog post, titled: “Peeing with Amphibians”.

https://atomic-temporary-169313545.wpcomstaging.com/2020/03/31/throwback-thursday-our-first-camper-van-adventure/ https://atomic-temporary-169313545.wpcomstaging.com/2020/04/01/throwback-blog-series-our-first-camper-van-part-ii/ https://atomic-temporary-169313545.wpcomstaging.com/2020/04/02/throwback-blog-series-kill-bunny-part-iii/ https://ramblingfootsteps.travel.blog/2020/04/02/throwback-kill-bunny-the-finale/

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