It’s hard to put into words the feeling of Uluru…. It’s one of those places that will stay with you forever, and somehow changes you a little for the better. Camping in Uluru, in the midst of this incredibly ancient giant life’s worries can seem fairly insignificant!
Our first meeting with Uluru!
Located 2300km north west of Melbourne, 3200km west of Brisbane, and 3600km from Perth, this truly is the beating heart of the Red Centre! We travelled from Adelaide, following The Explorers’ Way en route to Darwin, a journey of over 5000km!
One of the many faces of Uluru
CAMPING ULURU – OFFGRID JUST MINUTES FROM THE ROCK
Whilst we had heard some fairly negative comments and reviews around staying in Yulara, we loved our time camped off grid within the Ayers Rock Resort overflow campground. For $30 per night per van with more space than you’d ever need, and full access to the campground facilities including the pool, this is a great place to stay!
Outback Cinema – Back To The Future, Camping Uluru
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE BEAUTY
There are so many ways to experience Uluru, from watching the sunrise or sunset, to completing the 10km base walk, hiring a bike, Segway tour, or getting in the air on a helicopter or plane tour. We purchased an annual National Park pass for $50 per adult (kids under 17 are free!) to make the most of our time in this sacred place.
Jasper in commune with the Rock
EXPERIENCE THE FIELD OF LIGHT
This incredible art installation by Bruce Munro is not to be missed and is truly magical. 50,000 stunning hand blown glass bulbs, gently moving with colour across the vast outback make for a breathtaking experience. We enjoyed the Star Pass, an extended experience that includes drinks and nibbles on a raised viewing platform overlooking Uluru.
Field of Light
STAND BESIDE A GENTLE GIANT
It’s hard to believe, until you are standing amongst her, that Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) stands 200 meters taller than Uluru! The very easy Walpa Gorge Walk takes you right into the heart of this beauty and beside her spectacular towering cliff walls. We recommend allowing yourself a good amount of time to sit, be still, and take in all her glory.
Kata Tjuta
Our Lap of the Northern Territory
Check out our YouTube Episode for all the stunning footage from our time at Uluru and Kata Tjuta!
The thing we have noticed most is that you just don’t need as much stuff as you think you need! Being a full-time family living on the road in our Coromal caravan for the last 10 months has been the most freeing experience we could ever have imagined, and most of all it has made us become conscious consumers!
The ‘footprint’ this lifestyle leaves is enthusiastically small compared to our previous living experience of a 3 bedroom house. And the idea of being more conscious in our buying choices helps us reduce the need to be purchasing single use items, and also say no to the extra packaging that is regularly available disguised as ‘convenience’.
We have been living a low-tox life for the past 7 years as we were given no solid answers to our [in]fertility woes. We slowly removed everything we could that may have been a contributing factor, including the microwave, all plastic food and storage containers, and anything that had toxic ingredients to aid in cleaning. This led us to use all natural products wherever possible and seek out alternatives as we went.
Very fortunately during our IVF journey (more like a rollercoaster!) we were introduced to the world’s purest essential oils and their ability to have a positive impact and use in every part of our lives, from cleaning to cooking and most importantly our health and well-being! It was this combination, paired with our love for wildlife and the environment, that set us on the path to becoming what we like to call Green Nomads.
As Kermit The Frog always says “It’s not easy being green”, however RV’ing is the perfect lifestyle to make you more aware of your choices and the impacts those choices have on the precious environment we are so eager to explore. It makes you move toward a greener way of being and living, and helps you feel a responsibility for its future… become a custodian of the land!
Best of all we love the feeling of experiencing moments together as a family. The joy in seeing life through a 3 year old’s eyes never diminishes and reminds us to be present in those moments. It has shown us that we have a chance to be giving these later life lessons to our son so early in his life, by instilling a respect for nature and the incredible environment we call home.
Check out our RV CLEANING HACKS video for more information on going green.
~ Paul Guerin
New episodes of our Family Travel Australia series are released on YouTube every Sunday 6.30pm (AEST), with weekly Podcast episodes airing Friday’s at 8.30pm (AEST).
We are all very aware of the dangers of fire here in Australia, particularly with the recent bushfires that have been labelled the worst fire season on record, claiming many lives, loss of property and a reported 1 billion animals!
We were in Yeppoon, Queensland, in November last year when the reality of these fires hit home. Finding ourselves in the midst of a very scary situation prompted us to create an emergency plan and grab bag, two things we hadn’t even considered when we set off on our adventure around Australia.
Now in Tasmania the cold weather means cranking the diesel heater daily to keep the van warm, and lots more indoor cooking. When we first arrived on the Apple Isle, we had the opportunity to show a friend through our Coromal Element Evolution. Being a Tassie Fire Station Officer his first question was “Where are your smoke alarms?”, quickly followed by “Where is your carbon monoxide detector?”
Still considering ourselves relative newbies to this lifestyle, we hadn’t even thought about these safety essentials! He said we wouldn’t believe how quickly a fire in a van will escalate, as it has a high fire loading in a relatively small space. Sadly tragic caravan fires do occur, as does carbon monoxide poising, as was seen recently with a young family in WA.
These inexpensive and simple to install solutions could very well save you and your family’s lives. Recommended safety tips for RV’s:
– Install photoelectric smoke alarms with a hush button (RV models are available from hardware stores)
⁃ Check alarms before every trip or once a week if full time living
⁃ Install a carbon monoxide detector
⁃ Ensure you have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket
⁃ Turn off all gas cylinders while the caravan is being towed or campervan engine is on
⁃ Turn off all appliances not being used before going to bed
⁃ Have an emergency plan
⁃ Have a grab bag of essentials ready to go
⁃ Never leave cooking unattended
⁃ Store all flammable liquids outside the caravan or motorhome
⁃ Ensure that the extension lead for connecting electricity supply to your RV is in good condition
New episodes of our Family Travel Australia series are released on YouTube every Sunday 6.30pm (AEST), with weekly Podcast episodes airing Friday’s at 8.30pm (AEST).
In a world that feels like the plot of a Hollywood movie, it’s time to pause, take stock and remind ourselves to be thankful for the things we can control.
Over the last month Paul and I have taken turns in having up and down emotionally fuelled days, as each new restriction came into play and squeezed us towards making a decision that neither of us were certain about. As a full time travelling family, with no fixed address or “home to go back to” we found ourselves (and others in the same situation) the subject of much debate… just where do we go when our home is on wheels and we are being told to go “home”?
As the shutdowns commenced, first national parks, then caravan parks, and finally state borders, we breathed a huge sigh of relief when clarity finally came around who constitutes an essential traveller. And with this news came a lifeline, an offer to park up the van and call home for as long as required. Once we made the decision to bunker down and stay put we were able to collect our thoughts and put some strategies in place to help us manage our mental health, and our 17m2 living environment.
OUR TOP 5 STRATEGIES FOR LOCKDOWN
1. ISO-BREAKERS
When tensions and emotions are rising, take a break and enjoy an iso-breaker to lift the mood. Think quick and fun games for the entire family, craft activities, science experiments, treasure hunts, board games, jigsaw puzzles and so much more.
2. BRAIN FOOD
There’s never been a better time in history to access knowledge and learn. Why not start that course you’ve always dreamt of, pick up a book or listen to an audio book. If you hold a library card, download the Borrow Box and OverDrive apps to access over 30,000 free books, audiobooks, magazines and more.
3. 5-MINUTES OF MINDFULNESS
Just 5 minutes of intentional positive thinking and gratitude a day can make all the difference to how you are feeling and coping. Start and end your day with your “First and Last 5 Minutes” and give thanks for all the good things in your life right now.
4. COOKING
Now is the time to nourish your body and mind with Feel Good food that will make the whole family happy and healthy. Why not try a new recipe or sit down together for a meal and plan that future trip.
5. DAILY EXERCISE
Let’s face it, nothing makes you feel better than exercise, and as a lock down exemption, now is the time to get outside and get that body moving. If you can’t get outdoors, check out some of the great online options available direct to your screen.
New episodes of our Family Travel Australia series are released on YouTube every Sunday 6.30pm (AEST), with weekly Podcast episodes airing Friday’s at 8.30pm (AEST).
The consistency of terrifying bush fire updates across every news feed over the last few months has been hard to deal with as a viewer, let alone the devastating outcomes that it has had for many people’s lives and properties, and not to mention our native wildlife. Like millions of other Australians seeing these images on our screens evoked a sense of helplessness, and at times fear and uncertainty. However, Australia, through this ongoing crisis has once again proven that it is one of the most generous and giving countries, donating millions of dollars to bush fire relief appeals – a true endorsement of Australian folklore and mateship, to “stand up for your mates” in tough times.
Unfortunately, as the dust settles on what may be recognised as our most damaging bush fire season yet, there is confusion about the lack of clarity and uncertainty around how those much needed donations are going to be spent and distributed to bush fire victims. It is hard to decipher fact from fiction regarding charity and charitable organisations, and to really understand exactly where our donations end up.
Bush Fire Area of Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Because of the location of the fires we were forced to change our travel plans and take a different route towards Melbourne as we approached our sail deadline on Spirit of Tasmania. However, in a fortunate turn of events this allowed us to navigate our way through very large scale landscapes and communities that had been affected by fires even prior to the official “fire season commencing” through New South Wales’ Central Coast and into the Blue Mountains.
Seeing the enormous expanse that these fire fronts had burnt out was confronting to say the least, and would be very overwhelming for many. The sheer size of the devastation was hard to fathom and although we had seen the online aerial images and fire zone maps detailing the areas that had been burnt, driving through these regions at ground level was certainly unsettling and made it all feel very real.
But something interesting happened on our drive up the Blue Mountains, and our feelings changed from helplessness to hopefulness as we started to see more and more pops of vibrant green in the undergrowth and on the burnt trees themselves. These vibrant bursts of regrowth and incredible new life were emerging everywhere, expressing their potential for a brighter future.
Regrowth After the Bush Fires, Blue Mountains, New South Wales
As we passed through many of the small towns we were greeted with a mix of handwritten signs displayed on fences and in front yards, from “God Bless the Firies” to “Thank you RFS”. And small businesses proclaiming they are “Open for Business” and “Ready for Visitors to Return”.
Just as nature has shown its incredible resilience in the aftermath, the people are showing their tenacity and determination to rebuild their lives and their livelihoods. Their community’s regrowth is where the real call to action is, and where the real opportunity for that Aussie mateship is to truly shine.
Katie and I were so impressed by the “Empty Esky” campaign that is gaining momentum in the metropolitan and larger city centres. Radio stations and media outlets have been putting the call out for us to ‘get behind our mates’, grab an empty esky, do a road trip, and spend some time and dollars in these fire effected areas. We feel this is the most genuine way to directly assist those most in need, and help create the regrowth these communities are relying on.
Blackheath Glen Tourist Park, Blue Mountains, New South Wales
Our updated route travelled us away from the east coast, out through Western Sydney, and up Bells Line of Road into the spectacular Blue Mountains region. We based ourselves for 5 nights at Blackheath Glen Tourist Park, a wonderful caravan park that is perfect for families and those that have larger rigs like us. To see just how close the fires were to this little mountain village was frightening and again a true testament to the incredible work of the fire services and volunteers that risked their own lives to save the property and lives of others.
We had the opportunity to spend both our time and our money locally and the general feeling and energy from everyone we met was incredibly warm, welcoming and positive, and was a clear reminder of what matters most in life – connection and community.
The tourism mantra for this region is #HolidayHereThisYear and if you really want to be a part of the regrowth, plan a weekend away and visit your closest fire effected region this year. Meet the locals, share a yarn and enjoy the charm that comes from these communities because at its core, it is the people that really give a destination its heart and create the memories that bring you back for more.
Incredible Views from Scenic World, Blue Mountains, New South Wales
We are proud Ambassadors for the National Trust of Australia (Queensland). The Trust is a global charity organisation that protects, conserves and celebrates environmental, built and cultural heritage. The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) owns and operates Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, within which the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital is located. The Hospital is one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world, treating over 11,000 native animals every year.
If you are moved to donate to help our Australian wildlife bush fire victims, we trust and recommend Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation https://currumbinsanctuary.com.au/hospital
Koala Bush Fire Victim Undergoing Treatment at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Queensland. Image courtesy of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
~ Paul Guerin
New episodes of our Family Travel Australia series are released on YouTube every Sunday 6.30pm (AEST), with weekly Podcast episodes airing Friday’s at 8.30pm (AEST).
We’ve been on the road now for 3 months and this full time travelling family lifestyle is finally starting to feel like our norm. Rewind 2 years to when this crazy idea was born, and we are still pinching ourselves that this is our reality. It was the start of 2018, during a 5 hour road trip back from Coffs Harbour to our hometown of the Gold Coast. Paul and I are never stuck for good conversation and can often spend hours blue sky dreaming, so I decided to throw out the big question, “What would you do if you had no restrictions, if money wasn’t a deciding factor?”
Our then 16 month old son Jasper was sound asleep in his car seat, and at its core is the real basis behind Paul’s answer “I’d travel full time with you both”. Our little miracle, as we refer to him, had been a long 4 year journey with 6 rounds of IVF, multiple doctors and a lot of emotional and financial strain on our relationship.
It was an easy, almost automatic response from me, “Let’s do it!”, and so set the wheels in motion to bring our dream to fruition. For the next few months the time that we spent together outside of our very full work and social lives (Paul held a state management role and I was juggling a toddler and my own health and wellbeing business) did a complete turn toward the attainment of our goal. Our conversations and focus shifted, we sought out other families, both in Australia and overseas, that had made this lifestyle their normal. We purchased a large whiteboard that we sat in front of our TV, and we formed a new habit of getting out of bed an hour earlier to workshop our goals, breakdown our individual actions and create a solid plan.
Taking a leap of faith and letting go of the things that provide a feeling of security, a steady income, a roof over your head and the stuff that somehow makes you feel complete, can be downright overwhelming and very confronting, but also incredibly rewarding. It’s as though each ‘thing’ we own creates a small amount of pressure that collectively wears down on our shoulders. Letting go of this stuff is incredibly freeing and the pressure it releases allows you to hold yourself in a clearer and lighter state of mind. It helps you take a step toward the best version of yourself because you have more time to focus on the real rewards of life, time with your family and time for yourself.
The new stresses of our lives became the unknown, the uncertainty and the skill of adaptability that we would all need to acquire in the months that followed. However, these feelings also bring the joy of stretching yourself to learn new things and the excitement of waking up to new horizons, new places, new people and new experiences.
What we quickly learned is that Australia is an incredibly diverse country with more to see and do than we could have ever imagined. It is difficult to highlight the standout destinations as we have already experienced so many breathtaking sights and know there are thousands more to come. On a more personal level, watching the growth in Jasper and experiencing the world through his 3-year-old eyes full of wonder and awe has had a direct and beautifully positive effect on Paul and I individually, as a couple, and collectively as a family. We’ve adopted the mantra “a life lived in fear is a life half lived” and taking a leap of faith as we have certainly sums this quote up perfectly.
So, with our Toyota 4×4 and our newly purchased Coromal Caravan in tow our first destination was to explore the Central Highlands of Queensland. We try to spend a week in each region so that we can experience not only the diverse landscapes and environment, but also the people that make up these communities. Taking time in each location allows you to meet the true characters of a place and hear first-hand stories about its history and culture.
Our new jobs, if you can call them that, have been to become full time storytellers, creating weekly travel and destination video content for YouTube and our social media platforms. And while we are documenting our family’s experiences and in effect creating a time capsule for Jasper, we hope that we can inspire other families to take their own leap of faith in the direction of their dreams and be able to spend more time together as a family.
As far as a family friendly travel destination goes Queensland has it all and we’ve barely scratched the surface. The look on Jasper’s face when we watched a platypus swimming in the creek at Carnarvon Gorge, let alone the feeling it created for Paul and I who had never before seen one in the wild, will be a moment that will stay with us all forever.
We have explored 400 million year old Capricorn Caves, fossicked for 120 million year old thunder eggs, found a small haul of sapphires at the southern hemisphere’s largest sapphire mine, and felt like we were starring in a David Attenborough documentary when visiting the World Heritage listed Lady Musgrave Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef.
It has been eye-opening and humbling to spend quality time with some of our Aussie farmers who have faced incredible hardships and now find themselves in the midst of what seems to be a never-ending drought. Sharing a moment of raw emotion with someone you barely know can have a defining impact and certainly creates a new appreciation and level of respect.
We set off on our adventure of a lifetime to create lasting memories together as a family and our experience is absolutely delivering on this. What we didn’t account for was how much of an impact it would make on us individually as we all stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zone, learn so much about each other and create new perceptions on the world around us.
~ Katie Guerin
New episodes of our Family Travel Australia series are released on YouTube every Sunday 6.30pm (AEST), with weekly Podcast episodes airing Friday’s at 8.30pm (AEST).
Every year Katie and I take some time together to reflect on the year that has been, the good, the bad and the ugly. We make sure we are recognising our successes, however small the wins may be, as it can be easy to overlook these as we strive toward our next goal.
Celebrating small wins is a very important part of growing, as is taking from your failures and making them learnings that you hopefully don’t repeat again. You can learn a lot about yourself when you reflect and take time to review your life, and this can then form the basis for the future version of you.
This year we have decided to stretch ourselves toward a more attainable version of ourselves, a “better version” opposed to the best version. With all the pressures of life it is easy to get yourself down because you aren’t achieving your best all the time, whatever roles that you play, mother, father, husband, wife, employee, employer. Looking for small achievable wins through the new habits that we form can help build a solid foundation toward betterment in all areas of your life.
Another area we have decide to stretch ourselves in this year is reading more books that add value to our lives. I have listened to and read many self-help and personal development authors over the years and one of my favourites is Jim Rohn. He is able to bring philosophy through easy to digest and recognisable concepts that, through their application, can change your life in positive ways. A couple I will share here are part of our 2020 Vision – “You can stand on the books you read to help you reach things on the higher shelf”, and “Plant seeds not weeds” – such a wonderful way to consider what you are putting into your fertile mind. This is something we are profoundly aware of now we have Jasper to consider as well. “He who hears all” is a joke Katie and I share together about Jasper as he really does seem to hear everything we say and take in everything we do, and then right before our eyes emulate these words and actions back to us! It’s like he is a mirror of our behaviours and attitude!
We have created a 2020 Vision pdf and have made this a free downloadable document available on our website. This is the same yearly planner we have used for many years and find it an invaluable tool toward our personal and family development. It includes a few simple tasks that you can complete as an individual, couple or family, that will start your year off on the best foot. I think of it akin to hoping on a plane where the captain just takes off with no direction or coordinates plugged in to the computer! Imagine how crazy that would be, flying around without a plan, without coordinates, without any direction at all! You would certainly crash land and really just hope for the best! At least having a plan, a kind of blueprint for your life’s year ahead, can be an incredibly rewarding experience!
Our 2020 Vision includes a word of the year, mind map, and a wellness pyramid. The highlight for me is the question at the start of the document that asks you to write an account of a chance meeting you have with yourself a year into the future. This simple idea can really help you picture and visualise a better version of you at the end of 2020, and consider the incremental changes that you have made to be this version of yourself in the future.
This year we will experience many new horizons as we continue our journey across, around and throughout Australia, but most importantly it is the version of ourselves that we will be taking with us on this journey – who is that person, and am I happy with the effort I am contributing to living a full life and one that others want to share with me?
Life is certainly not always roses and Katie and I have both individually and together had our moments and even seasons of despair, hurt and the normal day to day pressures. What we have found is that utilising resources that can hold your hand or shine a light of hope, or even spark that new intention inside of you, is a soft but incredibly powerful support to call on. We hope you can find some seeds of greatness in the 2020 Vision plan and we’d love to hear how it impacts you and your life toward a better version of yourself!
To activate your 2020 Vision download our FREE pdf by clicking here. Not only is it free, but best of all it’s the first step toward a better version of you!
~ Paul Guerin
New episodes of our Family Travel Australia series are released on YouTube every Sunday 6.30pm (AEST), with weekly Podcast episodes airing Friday’s at 8.30pm (AEST).
We love Christmas time! In fact, if Paul had his way we’d have the tree up and carols playing all year round! The transformation that takes place at this time of year, with streets and stores full of decorations, houses and gardens twinkling with lights, and summertime temperatures soaring, seem to create a festive energy that can be felt all around regardless of your beliefs and traditions.
Four months into our full-time travel exploring Australia, we finally feel like our space has transitioned from a holiday to a home. We have relaxed into the permanent caravanning lifestyle, and that change of perception has also changed our thoughts around the “things” we want and need.
Something we hadn’t really considered when moving into our van is that living this kind of lifestyle also helps to create a smaller footprint, not only on your wallet (because full time travelling requires a tight budget) but it also helps you become a Conscious Consumer. I love this term and there is something in this for everyone…. from our impact on the planet, to our environment at home, and the gifts we purchase and give across the year, particularly during the silly season. Consciously choosing how and on what we spend our money, the impact of our purchase and its true value in more than just dollars, helps us to find balance, reduce stress and focus on the things that really matter most.
Christmas time is a perfect opportunity to get creative and discover new meaning around giving and receiving. We are making the most of acknowledging that the best gift we have is the present (and that is why it is called the present)! For us the New Year will be about the experiences we are sharing together as a family, and the life-long memories we will make, rather than the things we have… and that is where the true magic of life is created.
The magic is everywhere, and you don’t have to look hard to find it, especially when you have children at home. Watching their little eyes widen with awe, wonder, anticipation and excitement is a real joy and certainly brings the inner child out in Paul and I!
When it came to decorating our Coromal caravan our considerations included minimal cost, minimal space, whether it could be reused or recycled, if we could keep the packaging to store and use again next year, and how we could incorporate natural elements. One of the best things about living in such a small space, is the small amount required to decorate and style. We settled on some strings of LED coloured lights from Bunnings and some reusable window and wall decals. We also collected pinecones from the forest to make natural diffusers using our beautiful dōTERRA essential oils, and these make great home-made gifts for friends and family as well.
In past years we have travelled to and fro on Christmas Day, visiting and enjoying time with both sides of the family. And whilst we have tried to minimise holiday season travel, something we are very happy about this Christmas is our ability to take our home on wheels with us, and have our own sanctuary to retreat to when we need some time out from the festivities.
Another tradition we continue to enjoy is to take the week in between Christmas and New Year to unpack the year that has been. We use this time to make peace with where we are at, to celebrate the successes, and acknowledge the growth, the challenges and change. We plan and set goals for the year ahead, and this really is the best present we can give each other and take with us into the new year.
Reflecting on the things that matter most has been heightened by the current bushfires that have impacted hundreds of thousands of people across Australia, in some cases with very tragic outcomes. Out of this comes a very clear reminder that life is fragile, and to choose kindness during what is often a hectic and stressful time of the year. Now is the time to reach out and reconnect with friends and family and share a little Christmas joy through a simple act of humanity.
From our family to yours, we wish you a safe, healthy and happy Christmas!
~ Katie Guerin
New episodes of our Family Travel Australia series are released on YouTube every Sunday 6.30pm (AEST), with weekly Podcast episodes airing Friday’s at 8.30pm (AEST).
It’s hard to believe that we are already 3 months in to our 2 year journey, travelling around Australia in our 4×4 with #coromal caravan in tow! As total caravan (and camping) newbies, we’d received some good advice early on that it generally takes the first 10 weeks to adjust and become accustomed to this life on the road, and whilst we’ve still been experiencing our fair share of head-scratching moments, I’m surprised at how quickly we have all settled into this new lifestyle and how much it already feels like home.
Day 1 on the road!
When you take a huge leap of faith in life, be it a new job, a new relationship, moving abroad or packing up your life and travelling full time, there are so many unknowns and questions that will most likely go unanswered until you are fully immersed in the new experience. For us, we had no doubt that spending 24 hours a day together would be the best thing for our family, in fact it was something we had yearned for since Jasper’s arrival in 2016. Fortunately Paul and I are also great work partners, our motto is “We’re better together” (thank you Jack Johnson!), and we thrive creatively when we are collaborating. So as far as time and space goes we had no doubts about sharing our 17m2 living and working space, and basically living on top of each other. We absolutely love “Orange” our home on wheels and all that she is bringing to our family – new horizons, new experiences and that precious quality time together we so longed for!
“Orange” our new home on wheels!
With backgrounds in television, events and production management it’s fair to say we know our way around a good planning document, and we certainly drew on these skills in the 12 months before hitting the road, mapping out the steps, actions, responsibilities and our goals. We also had many discussions around safety, and our individual concerns that come with living a full time caravanning lifestyle. For Paul, his main worries revolved around road safety, feeling confident towing a 22ft van and ensuring we had a procedure in place to manage Jasper when hitching and unhitching. What kept me awake at night were the things more out of our control including the wildlife we would inevitably encounter on the road. Now don’t get me wrong I’m a huge wildlife lover, and having worked 6 years alongside Australia’s most famous conservationist Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter) I’ve had more than my fair share of incredible wildlife encounters! However as a mum of an inquisitive 3 year old, I worried (and still do) about the unique and deadly wildlife this country of ours boasts. From snakes and spiders, to saltwater crocodiles, Australia is home to some of the deadliest (and most amazing) animals in the world!
Jasper strapped in his car seat for hitching & unhitching
However, the one thing we didn’t consider or even discuss, was a plan to deal with natural disasters such as bush fire, flood or cyclone – all of which are very common occurrences here in Oz. On reflection I think perhaps it is because neither of us have ever been faced with such a threat, however in hindsight I can’t believe two of the most organised and planned people could be so unprepared!
Fast forward 10 weeks into our travels around Central and South East Queensland and we find ourselves in the midst of a State of Fire Emergency, with more than 70 bush fires burning across Queensland and even more throughout New South Wales.
We were woken, in the very wee hours of the night, to a sight that was both confronting and gut wrenching. The night time sky was a glow of orange and the crackling sound of flying embers cut through the stillness of the sleepy caravan park we were staying in. After a quick and surprisingly calm discussion we made the decision to pack the car with our valuables and essentials, in the event we needed to evacuate quickly. Our new friend and camping neighbour Richard had managed a quick chat with the Fire Chief, who advised that the fire had been lit by someone on the beach (in a state of total fire ban it sure makes the mind boggle!) and that the attending crews had the blaze under control. And whilst this certainly made us feel a little more at ease, we opted to pack down and hitch the van just in case.
Needless to say Jasper was the only one to enjoy a good night’s sleep that night, and while Paul and I laid on our bed, fully clothed and wide eyed, it gave us the opportunity to discuss an emergency plan, and list through the items we needed to pack into a “grab bag” for emergency situations.
Getting our “Grab Bag” together with essential items
What this experience has taught us is that being prepared is without a doubt the smartest way of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your family. Yes there are things that are always going to be out of our control – that’s life and we’re up against those risks everyday – but without a plan there are no steps to follow in those crucial moments, and without focused attention, the fear can certainly take over. Whether you live in a fixed dwelling or your home is on wheels, having an emergency plan is a must…. it could just save your life!
~ Katie Guerin
New episodes of our Family Travel Australia series are released on YouTube every Sunday 6.30pm (AEST), with weekly Podcast episodes airing Friday’s at 8.30pm (AEST).
