Dans Build a Bus Concert Transfers from the Illawarra

06/08/2026

03/08/2026

What a week. It was one of those weeks that reminded me that no two days are ever the same. Flight delays are nothing new. Over the years we have had plenty of passengers bumped onto later flights and, so far, we have always managed to get everyone home. This week was a first though. Two customers who were due home on Monday both ended up travelling on Tuesday. One was because plans changed and the other was because of an airline delay. As luck would have it, they arrived only a couple of hours apart, so Jean Claude was able to bring everyone home together. Sometimes things do not go to plan, but we will always do everything we can to get you home.

Another milestone this week was the first successful pickup for our Build A Bus cruise service. It was fantastic seeing the idea come together. The idea is simple. Cruise passengers heading away can arrive in Sydney early, check their bags, enjoy a coffee, wander around Circular Quay and soak up the harbour before boarding their ship. Then, a short time later, we collect the passengers coming home and get them on the road as quickly as possible. It is a win for everyone and I am excited to see it grow. Jean Claude also had a bit of a makeover this week thanks to Besty's Automotint in Dapto. The new window tint looks fantastic, gives everyone a little more privacy and really finishes the bus off beautifully.

The week wrapped up with plenty of variety. We sent another group of surfers on their way to chase waves in Sumatra while another group is already enjoying the Maldives. I am still not sure which trip I am more jealous of. Saturday was football day with a great bunch heading to see Chelsea take on Tottenham at ACCOR Stadium. Before the game I wandered around Sydney Olympic Park and finally found the Olympic cauldron. It brought back some great memories of the Sydney Olympics all those years ago. Have a look through the photos and let me know what you think. August is already looking busy, but with my good mates Rahul and John helping out we are ready for whatever comes our way. This business has taught me that life was never meant to be lived alone, and there is no room for the lone ranger. Having good people around you makes all the difference. If you need an airport transfer, cruise transfer or group trip, give us a call or send us a message. We will always do our best to fit you in.

01/08/2026

The crowd goes Wild Spurs vs Chelsea now!

29/07/2026

Any Chelsea or Spurs supporters from the Illawarra heading to Sydney for Chelsea FC v Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 1 August?
Hi, I'm Dan from Dan With a Van. I'll be running a supporters mini bus to the match, and with 7 supporters already booked, I have just 4 seats remaining.
Travel for $85 per person return, with convenient pickup locations just off the Princes Motorway throughout the Illawarra, plus front door drop off when we get home.
Instead of driving to Sydney, paying for parking, or dealing with late night trains, simply book a seat and enjoy the match.
• Convenient pickup locations throughout the Illawarra.
• Front door drop off when we get home, so you don't have to worry about driving home tired after a big game.
• Enjoy a few drinks without worrying about who has to drive.
• Travel on your own or with mates. Just book the number of seats you need.
• I'll drop you at Coach Pod C, opposite ACCOR Stadium, and that's exactly where the bus will be waiting for you after the match. No fighting traffic, no searching for your car, no waiting for an Uber in the post match chaos, and no public transport. Just hop on the bus and relax while I do the driving.
Only 4 seats remain. Once they're gone, they're gone.
If you'd like to come along, send me a message and I'll send you the booking form.
Kind Regards,
Danny McDonogh
Dan With a Van
0415 500 109
Authorisation No: BSP 413845
ABN 47 641 021 049

Send a message to learn more

22/07/2026

What's On Around the Illawarra
Wednesday 22 July to Sunday 26 July 2026

Looking for something to do over the next few days?

Here's a selection of markets, live music and community events happening across the Illawarra. This list is still a work in progress, so if you know of an event I've missed, let me know and I'll add it to future updates.

Friday 24 July

🌿 Foragers Market
📍 Crown Street Mall, Wollongong
🕘 9:00am to 2:00pm
Fresh local produce, artisan food and specialty stalls in the heart of Wollongong.

🎵 Live Music at Wisemans Park Bowling Club
📍 Gwynneville
🕕 6:00pm to 9:00pm

🎶 Live Music at The Mill, Dapto Leagues Club
📍 Dapto
🕡 6:30pm onwards

🎤 RNB Fridays at The Icon
📍 Wollongong CBD
🕗 From 8:00pm until late

Saturday 25 July

🏇 Christmas in July Raceday
📍 Illawarra Turf Club, Kembla Grange
🕚 11:00am to 5:30pm
A festive themed day at the races with food, entertainment and plenty of winter atmosphere.

🎶 Vika & Linda
📍 Anita's Theatre, Thirroul
A chance to see one of Australia's most loved vocal duos live.

🎵 Live Music at The Mill, Dapto Leagues Club
📍 Dapto
🕡 From 6:30pm

🎸 Live Music at Lake Illawarra Hotel
📍 Windang
🕖 7:00pm to 10:00pm

🎼 Saturday Sounds at The Fraternity Club
📍 Fairy Meadow
🕢 7:30pm

Sunday 26 July

🛍️ Jamberoo Village Market
📍 Reid Park, Jamberoo
🕗 8:00am to 2:00pm
A popular monthly market featuring local makers, food, plants, gifts and fresh produce.

🎵 Live Music at Woonona Bulli RSL
📍 Woonona
🕐 1:00pm to 4:00pm

This is only the beginning. I'm gradually building a comprehensive Illawarra events calendar covering markets, festivals, sporting events, live music, community activities and family friendly events from Helensburgh to Nowra.

If you're organising an event that should be included, or you've spotted one I've missed, send me a message and I'll add it to future updates.

Have a great weekend, whatever you get up to.

Send a message to learn more

21/07/2026

Any Chelsea or Spurs supporters from the Illawarra heading to Sydney for Chelsea FC v Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 1 August?
I've already got 2 supporters booked, so this Build a Bus trip is underway.

Rather than driving to Sydney, paying for parking, or dealing with late night trains, you can simply book a seat and enjoy the match.

• Convenient pickup locations just off the Princes Motorway throughout the Illawarra.
• Front door drop off when we get home. You arrive home safely without having to worry about driving tired or battling Sydney traffic after a big game.
• Enjoy a few drinks without worrying about who has to drive home.

As more people book, everyone pays the lower price, right down to $85 per person if we fill all 11 passenger seats.

Right now we're looking for our third passenger. Once that happens, the price for everyone drops to $160 each.

Realistically, I expect more people to book after that and the price to come down much further. That's how Build a Bus works. The more people who join, the cheaper it becomes for everyone.

If the current price is more than you'd like to pay, don't let that stop you from getting in touch. Just send me a message and tell me what price would make it worthwhile for you.

For example, if I know there are a couple of groups who are ready to book once the fare reaches around $90 per person, I can work with that. If I know enough people are simply waiting for the price to come down, I know we're close to getting the bus away. Once those bookings come in, the price drops for everyone.

Here's how the price drops as more supporters join the bus:
If we get to 3 passengers the price will be $160 each
If we get to 4 passengers the price will be $120 each
If we get to 5 passengers the price will be $110 each
If we get to 6 passengers the price will be $105 each
If we get to 7 passengers the price will be $100 each
If we get to 8 passengers the price will be $95 each
If we get to 9 passengers the price will be $90 each

If we get to 10 or 11 passengers the price will be $85 each
If you're thinking about going, or even if you'd only be interested once the price comes down a bit, send me a message. Even if you're not ready to book today, letting me know your price point helps me gauge whether we can get enough people together to make it happen.

Kind Regards,
Danny McDonogh
Dan With a Van
0415 500 109
Authorisation No: BSP 413845
ABN 47 641 021 049

17/07/2026

Chelsea and Spurs are coming to Sydney!

Is anyone heading up to one of the Chelsea games? Or know someone who is?

I'm running Build a Bus trips from the Illawarra to all three matches.

Tuesday 28 July
Chelsea F.C. vs Western Sydney Wanderers
11 seats left

Saturday 1 August
Chelsea F.C. vs Tottenham Hotspur
9 seats left

Wednesday 12 August
Chelsea Women vs A-League Women All Stars
7 seats left

If you haven't travelled with me before, "Build a Bus" is pretty simple. Rather than hiring the whole bus, everyone just books a seat. As the bus fills, the cost comes down. If we fill it, it'll only be $85 per person.

To make the run to Sydney quicker, I pick everyone up from convenient spots just off the highway through the Illawarra. On the way home, I'll drop you back at your front door.

These trips are always a good laugh. No worrying about traffic, parking, or who has to drive home. If you want to have a few drinks at the game, you can.

If you're interested or have any questions, just send me a message.

Danny McDonogh
Dan With a Van
0415 500 109
Authorisation No: BSP-413845
ABN 47 641 021 049

19/06/2026

🎉 WHAT'S ON IN THE ILLAWARRA THIS WEEKEND 🎉

Looking for something to do this weekend?

I've started a little side project to discover and share what's happening across the Illawarra. This first edition is far from comprehensive, but it's a start, and I was surprised by just how much is happening between Friday and Sunday.

📅 FRIDAY 19 JUNE

🌱 Greenplan Plant Sale
📍 Botanic Garden Nursery, 65 Northfields Ave, Keiraville
🕢 7:30am to 2:30pm

🛒 Friday Foragers Market
📍 Crown Street Mall, Wollongong
🕘 9:00am to 2:00pm

✨ VOICES: Interactive Sound & Light Experience
📍 Crown Street Mall, Wollongong
🕙 10:00am to 10:00pm

🎵 Live Music
📍 Wiseman Park Bowling Club, Gipps Rd & Foley St, Gwynneville
🕕 6:00pm to 9:00pm

🎵 Live Music
📍 Dapto Leagues Club, B**g B**g Rd & Station St, Dapto
🕡 6:30pm and again at 10:00pm

🎭 Anisa Nandaula: No Small Talk
📍 IPAC IMB Theatre
🕖 7:00pm

🎭 Yandha Djanbay: Go Slowly
📍 IPAC Bruce Gordon Theatre
🕢 7:30pm

🎶 RNB Fridays
📍 The Icon, 10 Town Hall Place, Wollongong
🕗 From 8:00pm

📅 SATURDAY 20 JUNE

💃 Eclipse Dance Challenge
📍 IPAC IMB Theatre
🕢 7:30am to 9:30pm

✨ VOICES: Interactive Sound & Light Experience
📍 Crown Street Mall, Wollongong
🕙 10:00am to 10:00pm

🏇 Race Against Su***de Race Day
📍 Kembla Grange Racecourse
🕚 11:00am to 5:30pm

🎨 Monoprinting with Nature
📍 Wollongong Art Gallery
🕛 12:00pm to 1:30pm

🎨 3D Photogrammetry with April Phillips
📍 Music Lounge, Wollongong Town Hall
🕧 12:30pm to 2:00pm

🗣️ Creative Dialogues
📍 Music Lounge, Wollongong Town Hall
🕛 12:00pm to 7:00pm

🎭 Yandha Djanbay: Go Slowly
📍 IPAC Bruce Gordon Theatre
🕜 1:30pm and 7:30pm

🎸 Mental As Anything 50th Anniversary Tour
📍 Anita's Theatre, Thirroul
📅 Saturday

🎵 Live Music
📍 Dapto Leagues Club
🕡 6:30pm and 10:00pm

🎵 Live Music
📍 Lake Illawarra Hotel, 193 Windang Rd, Windang
🕖 7:00pm to 10:00pm

🎵 Saturday Sounds
📍 The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke St, Fairy Meadow
🕢 7:30pm

📅 SUNDAY 21 JUNE

🛍️ Gerringong Rotary Markets
📍 Fern Street, Gerringong
🕣 8:30am to 1:30pm

🛍️ Kiama Seaside Markets
📍 Black Beach, Kiama
🕘 9:00am to 3:00pm

✨ VOICES: Interactive Sound & Light Experience
📍 Crown Street Mall, Wollongong
🕙 10:00am to 10:00pm

💃 Joanne Grace School of Dance Mid Year Concert
📍 IPAC IMB Theatre
🕥 10:30am to 1:00pm

For more information, tickets and bookings, search the event name on Google or visit the venue's website.

If you know of an event I've missed, let me know in the comments. The goal is to build a useful community resource that helps people discover great things to do right here in the Illawarra.

Send a message to learn more