Steve & Sue (both 57) from Geraldton love to travel … and on those long trips they’re so happy they even break into song!
What do you travel in?
Recently bought a ssanyong turbo diesel mainly for towing and comfort, and we now have a 17’ Jayco Freedom pop top van 2002 model.
Are you full-timers?
No, but Steve was made redundant six months ago after being a truckie for 40 years. We used to try to get away for a month at a time at least three times per year, but now I can build up my holidays from the hospital where I work for longer journeys. We are currently on a six-week trip. We are now doing what we are doing and working up to permanent travel.
Where do you camp?
We like to mainly stay in caravan parks, usually a week at a time. That way, we set up, unhook and spend lots of time exploring the area. When we free camp we use mainly disposable plates to minimise our grey water, and we usually wash our hands and face for bed before we wash the dishes so we again minimise grey water use.
Hobbies on the road?
The main thing we do is play plenty of CDs and we love singing along together to music like Phil Collins and Rod Stewart. We also look out for wildlife such as wedge tail eagles, dingoes, and lizards so we can get that great picture. And we take a million photos. Our daughter give us a big camera with a good zoom … it’s brilliant! Steve loves his CB (ex-truckie) and will have a chat with anyone who will listen.
Likes of the lifestyle?
We have camped in tents since early ’80s when the kids were little. Now it’s just two of us we love pulling into a caravan park or a free camp and, within 10 minutes or so, we are sitting out sucking on a stubby or three. Our Jayco is very comfy and we feel we are very spoilt. Our favourite thing is that, when we areaway, we can just switch off and enjoy each other’s company.
Any dislikes?
Idiots that speed and have no regards for other road users, mainly overseas campervan drivers that push the limits and take too many chances. Also, we both are frightened of snakes and are always mindful of them when we pull up at a campsite.
Favourite place so far?
We love visiting Exmouth in WA. We have been there dozens of times, but our best trips are now over to South Australia, mainly the Eyre Peninsula. And the trip over the Nullarbor is one of our favourites. We take about five days to cross and do a bit of free camping.
