If travel videos are your thing – especially if you are interested in taking a road trip around Australia – then look no further than these two amazing playlists on the SmartASSam YouTube channel.
These incredible adventures are brought to us by Sam Newman and Sue Stanley, who take their audience to some truly fascinating places – and pretty much do all the filming, presenting and editing themselves. For those who are not acquainted with the hosts; Sam is a well-known Aussie Rules Football pundit and former player who rose to fame as a co-host on ‘The Footy Show’ for many years, whilst Sue is a former world aerobics champion, Olympian and public figure in her own right.
Last year, Sam and Sue embarked on two back-to-back trips around Australia in their Essential Highlander Caravan and uploaded daily videos from both journeys to YouTube. These amazing adventures are presented in such a down-to-earth and relatable fashion by our hosts, and with some spectacular scenery and quirky tourist attractions as their backdrop, it becomes an addictive experience – for once you start watching these episodes it is impossible to stop!
So, let’s break down both of these awe-inspiring trips, starting with Van Life East.
Van Life East starts in Melbourne, Victoria and winds its way north all the way to Cape York – the Northernmost point of the Australian mainland. It takes Sue and Sam twenty days to reach the top of Australia, with the entire round trip taking just shy of seventy days to complete, as they travel through outback NSW and Central Queensland, whilst skirting along the tropical coasts and taking the final legs of their journey through the Snowy Mountains.
Here are some highlights below.
But if you think that Van Life East was an impressive feat, then wait until you see what Sam and Sue embarked upon with Van Life West. Ninety days on the road through some of harshest and most isolated terrain on Earth, with every step of their travels recorded and shared to YouTube for their audience to enjoy. An incredible effort!
The screenshots below say it all…
Van Life West takes Sam and Sue on a route through Australia’s Red Centre, and then across the Northern Territory and onto the coast of Western Australia which they follow as far south as possible, before braving the desolate Nullarbor on their way back to Victoria.
Honestly, these are some of the best travel videos going around, and a lot of it has to do with the on-screen charisma of both Sue and Sam – whose original takes on both van life and the amazing places they come across make this essential viewing. These playlists have a broad appeal as well, and would be enjoyed by people of all ages – but to be fair are mostly aimed toward older Australians planning to explore the length and breadth of their country at their own pace.
I should also point out that Sam is pushing eighty years of age during these road trips, yet his rigour and showmanship in front of the camera plays a large role in the appeal of these travel episodes. Sue is a little younger, and her athletic background is clear for all to see – as she remains a bundle of energy throughout the trips. Frankly, I find them both inspirational – and chances are you will too!
You can find both Van Life East and Van Life West as playlists on the SmartASSam YouTube channel – and there are other travel adventures to be found there too, such as Sue and Sam’s voyages on their boat ‘Angst’, as well as their brilliant European Trip which is still ongoing at the moment. I will write a review of these playlists at a later date, perhaps once their Euro holiday has concluded.
It’s difficult to put into words just how much enjoyment, excitement and wonder I have found watching Sam and Sue’s videos, and I highly recommend anyone wishing to learn more about Australia to give this YouTube channel a go. Just click on the playlist and start at the very first episode – and I assure you there’s no turning back because it’s that damn good!
There are links to the SmartASSam YouTube Channel below…
https://www.youtube.com/@OriginalSmartASSam
https://www.youtube.com/@OriginalSmartASSam/playlists
All screenshots and graphics are courtesy of SmartASSam on YouTube.
Maps courtesy of National Geographic
