Wollongong Shellharbour Kiama Transfers Dan with a Van

30/05/2026

30/05/2026

Cross the water and leave NSW where am I?

27/05/2026

Was not even sure the Origin bus run was going ahead this week because there seemed to be zero interest early on. Then Saturday night rolled around and funny how things change because all of a sudden the messages started coming through and now the bus is full. So here I am doing the last minute prep to take a busload to Origin and trying to make sure I have not forgotten anything important.

I do not even have an Origin jumper because I was going to buy one but got too busy. So the packing checklist currently looks like this. Socks blue check. Shorts blue check. Undershirt blue check. Un**es blue check. Hawaiian shirt blue check. I think I am ready. Jean Claude is fuelled up and ready for another big road trip with a crew of footy fans who are already fired up before we have even left.

Now I just hope Billy forgot to pay the refs this year. Hope everyone has had a cracking week and safe travels to everyone heading along to the game.

Send a message to learn more

23/05/2026

STATE OF ORIGIN MINI BUS IS NOW GOING AHEAD

I honestly thought this one might not happen… then overnight 4 people booked in.

That means the bus is now locked in, with only 7 seats left for Wednesday night’s State of Origin at Accor Stadium.

Current confirmed numbers: 4 passengers
Seats remaining: 7

As more seats fill, the per person price drops for everyone.

Current Build a Bus pricing:
4 passengers $120 each
5 passengers $110 each
6 passengers $105 each
7 passengers $100 each
8 passengers $95 each
9 passengers $90 each
10 or 11 passengers $85 each return

Why jump on?
• No train stress
• No Sydney traffic stress
• No parking stress
• Have a drink at the game and don’t worry about the booze bus on the way home
• Pickup from nearest main road in the Illawarra
• Sydney workers can meet at Waterfall Station
• Drop home, back to your car, or another agreed Illawarra location

That’s how Build a Bus works. The more people onboard, the cheaper it becomes for everyone.

So if you were sitting on the fence, now is the time.

Only 7 seats left. First in, best dressed.

Text: 0415 500109
Email: [email protected]

Kind Regards,
Danny McDonogh
Dan With a Van

Send a message to learn more

23/05/2026

Today I had a lovely lady get on the bus who I went to school with way back. She asked if I went to Dapto High and when, then confirmed we’d actually gone to school together.

I just told her the truth. I said I don’t remember you because in high school I was scared of girls, so I probably spent most of my time looking at the ground.

We had a laugh and then ended up playing that game of which teachers did you have and who do you remember from back in the day. Funny how it all comes back once you start talking, and how more little memories pop up over the next few hours after a chat like that.

I run into a lot of people from my school days doing this job, and it’s always a nice little moment in the middle of the day.

Kind Regards
Danny McDonogh
Dan With a Van
ABN 47 641 021 049
BSP 413845

Send a message to learn more

22/05/2026

Part 2 of my Sydney Airport pickup guide.
If you’re arriving at T2 Domestic, this quick walkthrough shows exactly how to get to the Shuttle Pickup area where I’ll collect you.

21/05/2026

I’ve got a travel idea I keep pitching to customers, and it sounds unhinged until you think about it for ten seconds.

Before you go overseas, hit the op shop and grab a stack of cheap holiday clothes. Stuff you don’t mind getting sunscreen on, spilling a drink on, or absolutely rinsing on day three.

Then while you’re away, you wear them… and instead of bringing them home, you offload them properly.
If they’re still decent, donate them.
If they’re cooked, find a non-profit that turns textiles into rags or recycling.

Not for everyone, but I keep pitching it. Still waiting for the first brave volunteer.

You don’t come home to a mountain of washing.
And your suitcase slowly turns into free space, so you can bring home the things you actually want.

With all the time I spend waiting around the corner for that “we’re through” call while people clear customs, it’s interesting what ideas my brain keeps coming back to.

Anyway. If you see me travelling light, that’s probably why.

If you need a reliable run to the airport or cruise terminal, I’m around.

Kind Regards
Danny McDonogh
Dan With a Van
ABN 47 641 021 049
BSP 413845

Send a message to learn more

18/05/2026

Monday kicked off with one of those blink and you miss it kind of days. Two groups of lovely humans up to Circular Quay, barely enough time to think about a coffee before the next pickup, then home again with another bunch of legends. That night The Red Hot Chilli Steppers somehow danced our way to victory at OzTag, although the ground hit back a little harder than expected and I have been carrying a very stylish limp ever since. New boots have entered the chat, they are still being negotiated with, and tonight might be the real test if the rain has softened things up.

Midweek brought one of those early airport runs with a couple of groups sharing the ride, then a long wait before bringing another crew home from domestic. Perfect chance to film some footage for my new how to find me for pickup video, plus a little walk down memory lane parked not far from where I first started in international logistics all those years ago. Saw the Stamford, thought about old lunch breaks, Patchetts pies, and one of those stories my old workmates never let me forget. I will give you a clue how long ago it was... the first season of The Biggest Loser was on TV and one lunchtime I spotted Kristie sneaking into Patchetts for a pie with her family before the final aired that night.

Then the weekend delivered one of those proper Sydney moments. Early Saturday up to Circular Quay for a cruise pickup and the Harbour Bridge hiding in the fog looked like something out of a movie. Later that night I brought home a fantastic group fresh back from Bali, and in between all that I gave Thumper his final wash before photos. Hard to believe the old Multivan might be moving on after all these years, but every chapter makes room for the next one. Grateful for the stories, the memories, and every person who jumps in with me and Jean Claude each week.

17/05/2026

A little follow up to the alcohol tax posts…

Did you know that once a cruise ship leaves Australia, the tax world changes again?

Here is something most people never think about while enjoying that drinks package out on the high seas…

Alcohol supplied to international cruise ships falls under export and ships’ stores rules, meaning the tax treatment is very different to what your local bottle shop, pub, or club deals with here on land.

Back in my export logistics days, I worked alongside the people whose job it was to “export” Australian alcohol onto international cruise ships.

So yes… next time you are standing at a cruise ship bar somewhere between Sydney Heads and the South Pacific, just remember…

There is a whole world of logistics, customs, excise, duty drawbacks, and export paperwork sitting quietly behind that cocktail.

And here is the part that still makes me smile…

At a retail level, plenty of people do very well out of alcohol in Australia.

Whether you buy your drink at sea, at your local pub, or at the bottle shop…

Nobody does better out of it than the government.

Something to think about when you are nursing your next hangover… whether you are driving the porcelain bus, or hanging your head over the starboard rail.

And one last thing…

I am not a big drinker. A six pack can sit in my fridge for six months.

But if I do have a drink, I make sure there is at least a 24 hour window before my next drive.

I probably go a little overboard on safety… but I reckon my passengers are okay with that.

Danny
Dan With a Van

Send a message to learn more