When Arthur and Narelle Watts retired five years ago, they had only one thing on their minds … to sell up and hit the open road.
And so that’s exactly what they did, and they haven’t looked back since!
Like many long-term grey nomads, the couple were experienced vanners by the time they headed off on the big one, and freely admit they found their feet by making one mistake after another.
Today though, Arthur and Narelle – who travel in a BT50 towing a Snowy River SCR22 – have ironed out those early wrinkles and settled into a routine on the road … and they have made farmsitting an important part of their journey.
Arthur and Narelle are having the time of their lives.
The couple travel in a BT50 towing a Snowy River SCR22
“On most farmsits, the farmer just wants you to be a presence on their property and don’t expect you to do too much, maybe feed domestic animals and mow lawns if required, and every second or third day, check that stock have water and feed,” said Arthur. “So, you have plenty of time explore the area within two hours of the property.”
The couple say farmsitting offers many highlights. Narelle particularly loves looking after horses, while Arthur – having spent time on farms in his younger years – just enjoys the normal day-to-day things.
“Each area has different types of native animals and I love sitting down with a cold drink and watching the animals getting ready for the evening,” he said. “In WA, I love watching the Black Cockatoos and how ones with different coloured markings use their own trees, and in Queensland I watch koalas walk by … it isn’t hard, and you get more enjoyment out of it than work you put in.”
The couple also make visiting various family members an important of their trip … they have 19 grandchildren plus a couple of great grandchildren!
They also love to take in local events, with the Parkes Elvis Festival and the Illawarra Folk Festival being particular favourites.
But mainly it’s just about getting off the beaten track and into the ‘real’ Australia.
“If you travel Australia on the main roads, you can say you have done the Lap but have not seen the real country,” said Arthur. “Nothing beats country people and their hospitality.”
Arthur and Narelle are currently caretaking at a small caravan park in the ‘wonderful’ Queensland country town of Inglewood.
The pair say that, so far in their travels, they have covered most of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, about half of Queensland, and about third of Western Australia.
“After we finish up looking after this caravan park, we are looking at heading north to the top, then across the top to WA which should take another three to four years,” said Arthur. “After that, we may look at settling down … if we have not lost the travel bug that is.”
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
