'We feel more connected to the world': How an old bus became this couple’s dream home

Eli Mamanu-Gray and Emily Robinson had a lot of plans at the start of 2020, but building their own tiny home in a bus wasn’t one of them.

In fact, they were looking forward to heading overseas for a six-month adventure together, but then the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to that.

But it didn’t take long for the Newcastle-based couple to refocus their energy.

“When travel abroad was no longer an option. we decided to get a puppy and create our own adventure here,” Mamanu-Gray says.

The decision to move from bricks and mortar into a bus was driven by Mamanu-Gray’s wish to live off-grid, plus the couple’s goal to live a more minimal lifestyle that reflects their values.

They knew an added perk was the opportunity to avoid the rental market, allowing them to save for their future together.

The pair welcomed a kelpie-cross puppy, Moki, into their lives, as well as a 1993 Toyota Coaster bought for $20,000 through Facebook Marketplace.

The Coaster – which they named Basil – was already partly converted, but upon finding some “dicey installs” from the previous owner they decided to pull everything out and start afresh.

Mamanu-Gray jokes that making the decision to convert a bus into a home isn’t the same as actually having the skills and knowledge to do so; the advice of others found through YouTube and social media “is what got me through”.

“The bus-life community is amazing so if there was anything I couldn’t find answers to, I could just reach out to those who’ve been through it already.”

Robinson, a counsellor and yoga teacher who’s less enthusiastic about building, provided the financial support while Mamanu-Gray and Moki spent long days in the bus.

After an early hurdle, where a huge rust spot was found under the factory insulation, costing a chunk of time and money to fix, the dedicated hours of labour paid off relatively quickly.

Mamanu-Gray managed to smash out the conversion in less than four months – particularly impressive for someone who was learning as they went.

“I love tasks that are hands-on, and I learn best through doing, so I picked everything up super quickly. But a lot of the process was research.”

Robinson adds: “We had a deadline set for Christmas, to enjoy Basil over the summer holiday. When Eli sets their mind to something, there is no stopping them.”

That even included putting in some extras to make life more comfortable. The couple loves to cook, so Mamanu-Gray maximised the kitchen space with a hand-built slide-out pantry and benchtops that extend for bigger cook-ups.

And when it came installing a shower, none on the market could fit the small space within the bus’s layout – and what was left of their budget – so Mamanu-Gray decided to embark on “probably the most nerve-wracking of tasks” and create a bespoke shower with a custom stainless-steel tray and Alupanel for the shower walls.

“After looking at countless designs and layouts, I decided just to make my own,” Mamanu-Gray says. “I opted for an open-plan design to keep the space elongated and open, and to fully enjoy the natural light that the skylight lets in.”

Throughout the bus, glossy white paint, plenty of timber, and rattan accents contribute to a light and spacious feel.

Indoor plants and the earthy tones of the linen and cushion covers reflect the couple’s love of nature and the outdoors.

“We actually got our mood board for the interior from a walk along the beach in Fingal Bay,” Robinson says.

Even when parked in town, the windows help bring the outside in.

“I feel more connected to the world,” Robinson says. “Even when we’re indoors we still feel like we’re outdoors. We can hit the road whenever we want and get to take our home with us.”

The couple tries to take their home on wheels to check out a new place each week, with Seal Rocks and Birubi Beach being some recent favourites.

And for Mamanu-Gray, the success of the build “sparked a want to work more creatively with my hands”, and might have even inspired a new career direction.

“I’m currently taking some time off since building Basil to discover what my next chapter will bring.”