Norm and Jenny appreciate their trips and their ‘home time’
After seven months on the road as full-timers, Norm and Jenny decided they needed a base and they now appreciate both their trips and their ‘home time’. Here, they explain why
We travelled our first ‘lap’ in 2003 when we took our Kimberly Kamper anti-clockwise up the centre, down the west coast and back across the Nullarbor to Melbourne.
This really whetted our appetite! After retiring in late 2005, we bought a caravan, sold our house and – in early 2007 – began the nomadic ‘no fixed address’ lifestyle. However, we found it a bit disconcerting not having a home base to return to (both of us had recurring back problems) and, after only seven months on the road, decided to purchase a house in Ballarat, Victoria.
Since then we have upgraded to a van with an ensuite and recliner chairs, and travel most winters for 2-3 months exploring all parts of wonderful Oz – enjoying the best of both worlds! We never make detailed plans for our trips and seldom book ahead. This gives us plenty of flexibility to wander depending on what we discover on the way. It also allows for changing weather conditions and even health/ comfort issues that may arise.
Jenny’s main hobby is knitting and mine is photography. I generally put together a photo book after each major trip and we now have a little collection of books to share with family and (unsuspecting) friends. But, more importantly, they remind us of our wonderful experiences.
Naturally, not all experiences carry pleasant memories and our worst by far was being stranded in Tennant Creek last year for four weeks after a vehicle breakdown and the associated cost! We had to be towed 160 kilometres from Renner Springs and then have a replacement motor fitted to our vehicle (Thank goodness for RACV Total Care road-side assistance which covered the cost of towing vehicle and van, and some accommodation/car hire.)
However, our overwhelming memories are fantastic – recollections of seeing many spectacular places and meeting many interesting people. The ‘band’ of like-minded travellers that you meet are always friendly, happy, relaxed and cheerful folk who are as interested in you as you are of them. We both enjoy observing the ever-changing countryside on our travels – the journey is as much pleasure as the destination.
We appreciate how very fortunate we are to be able to travel so freely across this amazing country and look forward to enjoying many more trips in our van.
We are keeping our home, we would never be without a home base, been traveling since 2005 and loving it
We are full time grey nomads, we live in Australia for 6 months in winter and return to NZ for 6 months in summer.We live permanently in our motorhomes. We are currently looking at bringing our large motorhome from NZ and living over in Australia permanently. There are more opportunities in Australia for greynomads on the road, and we have done many varied jobs through your great site.We love the lifestyle and meeting some very interesting characters.
We sold up and have been living on the road in our fifth wheeler for over 6 years. We dont intend on ever buying another house, and wont even have a home base for at least another 15 years. We love the free life.
Yes have to agree! Freedom lifestyle! We did the same with no regrets! When you have to stop there’s great parks around and put a pot plant out front! Lol
Given the ever increasing cost of Aussie houses, this despite low inflation & low interest rates, I could never feel comfortable in selling our family home and only having our caravan as the only “roof” above our head. I too love the freedom on the road, but have comfort in knowing that I have a home to come back to! I suppose it could be likened to have a “bob” each way.
We have been traveling since 1983 we didn’t sell our house,we had 3or 6months away in the winter.Now our travelling is slowing down its nice to have our home to rest in
We have been living in our caravan permanently since 2010. We downsize our house and rented it out. Once we find work we stay in a place for a while to be part of the community. Just left the Flinders Ranges after working 7 months there.
Sold house in 2007 travelled for 8 yrs with no home, then decided it was time, so live in a lifestyle village in Albury now, downsized caravan to poptop with ensuite and just turn key and go whenever we feel, but it’s a great feeling to have a base to,come back to when and if needed.
We have done the big lap few years ago took a year so glad we did it while we were in good health ,now in our 70s we are slowing down due to health reasons.Moving to our local retirement village,and bought smaller van (we sold our last van last year,have missed travelling at our own pace so will be back on the road soon,shorter trips but looking forward to the relaxing lifestyle,(in both the village and van) can’t wait.Meet such lovely fellow travellers and making lifetime friends
We are heading off in 2 weeks for our first adventure without a home base
we will be looking to do some work on the way any tips on getting jobs while we travel.
The issue as I see it, with not having a home base is the possibility of pricing oneself out of the housing market in the future.
This is a real problem that I don’t think people realise how it could impact on their future,
Sold home, have rented a townhouse As base, $200 per week ,less $ 63 from rent assistance , have caravan can go away for periods of time, anything goes wrong rental ompany gets it fixed.