For some grey nomads, full-time life on the road is something of a leap into the unknown while, for others – like Russell and Sandra Kelly – it’s more of a natural progression.
The couple bought their first caravan, a 16’ Jayco, back in 2008 and spent several years taking short trips and mainly staying in van parks. However, in 2011, they took a trip to Alice Springs and came home to Central Victoria via the Oodnadatta Track … and everything changed!
“We updated our caravan to a Supreme Classic and updated several items including the suspension to make the van semi offroad,” said Russell. “Our first big trip in this van was to the Birdsville Races via Tibooburra and Cameron Corner and then we did a bit of a Queensland circuit to Boulia and Longreach … we really had the bug for Outback travel then.”
The couple's trip to Cape York really whetted their appetite for adventure.
Russell and Sandra love their on-the-road lifestyle.
The next step in their progression to full-time travel was when they took long-service leave from their jobs in 2015 and travelled to Cape York, doing the Old Telegraph Track, and into Arnhem Land and across to Darwin.
“We both had trouble settling back into work after this trip,” admitted Russell.
So, when they both retired in early 2022, there was only one thing on their minds … another big trip! They spent five months travelling up to the Kimberley, including the Gibb River Road and Mitchell Falls, before following the coast down to Geraldton and inland to Kalgoorlie, and home.
That was finally enough to make the pair realise that life on the road with no time restrictions was the life for them.
The couple aren’t afraid to get off the bitumen!
“When we got home, we rented our house out and started our life as grey nomads,” said Russell. “We are still travelling with our 2013 Supreme caravan now but have upgraded our 2011 Mazda BT50 dual cab ute to a 2023 Mazda BT50 extra cab.”
Until recently, they also travelled with a roof top tent for when they got into the rough stuff like crossing the Simpson Desert, but both being in their 60s they have now called time on that ‘before one of us falls down the ladder’.
The couple, who mainly free camp, say they never wanted to ‘do the lap’ but pick destinations and then slowly make their way there with no bookings or definite route of travel.
“We believe that we have slipped into this lifestyle very easily because we have been doing this for quite a while prior to our retirement and had worked out what we liked and didn’t like,” said Russell. “In our first trip in retirement we travelled quickly as we had done while working, but have now slowed to a much more relaxed and affordable pace … we love this lifestyle and would recommend it to anyone.”
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