Welcome to Coaster Bus Life
Hi I’m Natalie, and Coaster Bus Life is my passion project to share resources and inspiration with my fellow Toyota Coaster owners.
There are some fantastic facebook groups and pages dedicated to Toyota Coasters, and these are great platforms to connect with fellow Coaster owners and get help when you need it. I am a member of quite a few of them! However, what I found myself wishing for was a central hub to store all of this information in one place to make it easy to find when you need it. A place to add and store ideas for renovations, reviews on places to travel, and tips for people like me who work remotely and like to do so from the bus occasionally.
That was my driving force to create the Coaster Bus Life website.
How it all started
Before Molly came into my life, I used to travel around in a Toyota Hiace campervan. It was a great little van, but after a while, I found myself craving more space—something I could stand up in, stretch out, and really call home when I was on the road.
After a lot of research, I discovered that a Toyota Coaster bus ticked all the right boxes for me. What I loved most was the freedom it gave me. I didn’t need to tow a caravan or buy a second vehicle to pull one. The Coaster is spacious and roomy, with everything I need inside. I also loved that you could find Coasters already renovated, which was a huge plus since I don’t have any renovating, building, or mechanical skills! No need to stress over DIY projects—I wanted something ready to go, so I could focus on enjoying the journey.
Another big bonus? The ease of travel. When I want to head off on a trip, all I need to do is pack my clothes, grab a few essentials, and drive off. No need for time-consuming packing or organizing—it’s as simple as that. There’s only one small downside: once you’re parked up at your destination, if you want to explore for the day, it can be a bit of a hassle to pack everything away in the bus. But for those trips where I know I’ll want to do more exploring, I’ll take a different vehicle and stay somewhere like a hotel or AirBnB.
Along Came Molly
After spending some time monitoring Coaster buses for sale, I found Molly in Western Australia. She was exactly what I was looking for—fully renovated and in perfect condition with only 180,000 km on the clock. The owner was fantastic and answered all my questions, so before I knew it, I was on a plane to WA, ready to buy her. Driving Molly home across the Nullarbor to South Australia was an unforgettable experience and the start of many adventures to come.
As for her name—Molly’s vibrant orange paint and quirky personality reminded me of the actress Molly Ringwald, and it just seemed like the perfect fit. It’s a fun nod to her past as a school bus in Western Australia, where all school buses are painted the same bright orange colour.
Creating a Toyota Coaster Community
Purchasing Molly was the start of the concept for this Coaster Bus Life website. The pre-cursor to the website was a facebook group named Coaster Sisters which was set up as a safe space for women to share tips and ideas for their Toyota Coaster Motorhomes. This was a raging success with lots of information shared within this community, and lots of friendships formed between like-minded women.
Fast forward a few years and I found it difficult to access the information I was looking for on the Facebook Group quickly. An idea popped into my mind. Wouldn’t it be great to have a website dedicated to Toyota Coaster Motorhomes where we can add and store ideas for renovations, reviews on places to travel, and tips for people like me who work remotely and like to do so from the bus occasionally.
From that, the Coaster Bus Life website was brought to life. Oh and it is not just for women! This website is for all Toyota Coaster Owners, for those who are planning to buy one, and for those who are dreaming of owning one down the track.
These days, my partner and I love taking Molly out on weekend trips around South Australia. We’re both still working full time, so for now, it’s short getaways. We’re dreaming of the day when we’ll have the freedom to take off and explore further afield, with no schedule and no rush—just the open road ahead of us.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find inspiration and helpful tips for your own Coaster adventures here on Coaster Bus Life!
If you have any feedback on the website, ideas for improving it, and ideas for things you would like to see on the website please reach out to me.
Happy Coasting!
Meet the Writers: Living the Coaster Bus Life
At Coaster Bus Life, our articles are written by people who truly live the life they write about. These passionate contributors are out on the road in their Toyota Coaster motorhomes, exploring stunning destinations, testing out gear and equipment firsthand, and uncovering the tips and tricks that make life on the road easier and more enjoyable. Whether they’re sharing a must-visit campsite, reviewing a handy travel gadget, or offering advice from their own experiences, our writers are here to inspire and inform, bringing you authentic insights from the heart of the Coaster bus lifestyle.
Lizzy Hanlon
Lizzy is an aged care professional by day, and a Coaster Bus adventurer by weekend. When she’s not busy caring for others, you’ll find her behind the wheel of her Toyota Coaster bus, cruising the open road and chasing the perfect camping spot—usually somewhere by the ocean where the flies don’t stand a chance, and the beer stays cold. A self-confessed driving enthusiast, Lizzy loves the freedom of the journey almost as much as she loves peace, quiet, and a good book.
Jo Williams
Jo is a retired teacher with a zest for adventure and a passion for life on the road in her Toyota Coaster motorhome. With a big, loving family, Jo cherishes time spent with her kids and grandkids but equally enjoys the freedom of solo explorations. A self-confessed tech enthusiast, she loves experimenting with gadgets, camping gear, and anything that adds a spark of innovation to her travels. Jo’s happy place is by a campfire, meeting new people and soaking in the warmth of good company… especially if there’s country music playing in the background.
Write for Us: Earn Money on the Road
Are you passionate about adventures, camping, and all things camping gear? Share your experiences and expertise with the Coaster Bus Life community! We’re looking for contributors who live and love the bus life to write articles for our website. It’s a fantastic way to earn money while living the dream on the road. Whether you have tips, stories, or reviews to share, we’d love to hear from you. Interested? Reach out to us today and start turning your bus life adventures into income!