While traditional grey nomad wisdom commonly cautions about the risks of travelling with friends, veteran adventurers Eric and Maree Heckseth won’t have a bar of it.
After five years on the road, the couple actively seek out companions to share the journey with … and it seems tales of inevitable fallings out have been greatly exaggerated.
“Initially, both of us felt comfortable travelling by ourselves but, having friends all around Australia, we have found that when they have joined us on a few tours we are loving their company and insights into how they enjoy the open road, as well,” said Eric, who is also known as Ecka the Viking. “Some prefer free camping and some prefer the comfort of caravan parks … it’s a good balance of travel type for us all.”
Ecka and Maree enjoying a sunset camp with friends from WA.
The Heckseths sold their house to travel full-time soon after retiring, but their early adventures were delayed by the onset of the Covid pandemic.
When borders fully reopened in October, 2021, they were finally able to set off in their Essential 19.6’ dual-axle caravan towed by a 2020 Prado 2.8 litre GXL 150 litre diesel.
Ecka and Maree have been on the road for five years.
Their early months were spent following in the tracks of, and learning more about, the Chinese who had headed to the Victorian goldfields back in the mid-19th century.
Ecka had previously read an article saying 16,000 Chinese men and one woman had walked from Robe in South Australia to Victoria and beyond.
“The reasons the Chinese came via Robe was that the Victorian government placed a ten pound tax on each of them entering the state at a Victorian port,” he said. “So, they basically bypassed Victoria and got dropped off at Robe, then walked across land to Bendigo and beyond … amazing, absolutely amazing!”
Ecka and Maree (aka Ginge) have embraced all aspects of the Big Lap, including the history, with real gusto.
“People always ask us what’s been the highlight of your travels and we say … all of it!” said Ecka. “It’s been a journey of adventure, learning more about Australia than we ever learnt via schooling … our country is vast and so amazingly different from coast to coast.”
The couple has criss-crossed Australia over the years, often visiting family and friends, and travelling with new nomadic friends … as well as taking the odd overseas trip.
They now plan to buy a new home base though on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula to take a breath, gather their thoughts, and then continue their journey.
“It’s getting harder financially to stay in caravan parks, especially during peak times and especially on the east coast where they are asking $120 minimum for a night’s stay with power and water,” said Ecka. “There’s more free and donation camping for us in the future!”
But the couple are in no doubt that they will keep travelling once their new abode is sorted out.
“We’ve just turned 70, we’re a little slower and have a little less power in the body,” said Ecka. “But we’re still very full of adventure!”
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