As our goals to see more of Australia as a family fall into place, we’ve been getting more and more comments about how lucky we are to see so many things and get to go so many places.
People truly would like to know how we get so “lucky” and how we can afford to travel with our kids. The most common remark we get is “wow, I wish we were lucky enough to be able to afford that!”.
The goal of our blog is to inspire other families to get out and see Australia. So it’s important for me to say this:
ANYONE, ANY family can get out and explore Australia! YES that means YOUR FAMILY!!
I know right now some of you are thinking, “but we can’t afford to travel”, or “but I can’t take the time off work” or even “I can’t cope with the kids” or possibly “but the kids won’t like it if we don’t go to theme parks, they don’t really like the bush and stuff!”.
I’m here to tell you to forget everything you’ve been telling yourself right up to this point.
YOUR FAMILY CAN TRAVEL AUSTRALIA! In fact, your family can travel the world if you want to. I’m about to tell you how!
Here’s the secret at how we get so Lucky!……………………………
You just have to want it bad enough.
That’s it, that’s all there is to it, YOU have to want it enough to make it happen. If that sounds over simplistic, well it is, because generally in life we make our own lives much more complex than they truly need to be. So yes, it’s simplistic, but if you REALLY, truly with all your soul want to experience more travel with your kids, then stop fooling yourself and let’s have a look at how to make it happen!
How Much do you Want it?
The real, hard, honest truth about affording family travel is that you just have to want it. I wish I could tell you that you will magically be able to afford a travel lifestyle without any sacrifice, but that’s not the truth. The truth is, that having an ache inside you to see Australia, having an ache inside you to share this amazing country (or any other country) with your children, having an ache inside you to live a life full of joy instead of stress is the true ingredient that most people are missing.
If you think you want it and you still aren’t doing it, then you don’t want it enough…. yet……
If you think you want it, but you’re not getting any closer to making it happen, then you don’t want it enough…. yet….
If you think you want it and you start to put plans in place, sacrifice things to bring your dream closer, then you’re on your way.
If you truly want to travel, then travel becomes your priority and you MUST push other wants aside in order to make your dream come true
Going Against the Grain.
Like everything in life, there are choices to be made. Too many times we hear about people wanting to “take off and travel”, but they can’t or just won’t. You know what? That OK!! In order for us to travel, we haven’t purchased a house, we homeschool our kids, and we definitely don’t own a big flatscreen tv, or a flashy car. Is there anything WRONG with having those things? GOSH NO! Part of us would love those things, but for us, the need to explore Australia, far outweighs the need to settle down into the norms of society.
Part of living a fulfilling life is about being conscious of your goals, your dreams and your needs. You need to be conscious of your personal goals, you won’t hear me whinging about not owning a house, because I know we’ve sacrificed that in order to travel. So if you REALLY, truly want to travel, you’ll need to look at what you may need to sacrifice. The reality is, many people think they want to travel long term, but they feel much more comfortable owning a home and paying a mortgage than they do out living on the road.It takes a lot of self reflection and maybe a bit of craziness to go after your true “bliss” is this your year to just do it?
Just know this: If you want it, you CAN make it happen, you just need to let go of the things you THINK keep you secure, and dare to live your dream instead!
How Are We Achieving Our Dreams?
Probably being just a little bit crazy helps! We are not rich, I will truthfully and honestly reveal to you right now that we earn less than almost everyone we know. Our circle of friends mostly earn average middle class salaries, and for the most part we earn less than any of them. We earn less because we choose to. We choose to be a one income family, we choose to homeschool our kids, and we choose not to have debt. I do work from home part time, but I need to balance that with being a mum, teacher, wife and book keeper for Matt’s business, so my business is limited to a small, much appreciated group of clients that are great to work with. Matt owns a small business and he works HARD, but we put measures in place that still allow us to live our dreams.
In order to share this amazing experience of exploring Australia with our kids, there’s a few things we’ve chosen to do:
We have stayed debt free.
We don’t align material possessions with security or success.
We accept that life is short, and we truly want the best experience, not just the one that’s “socially acceptable”
We’re not afraid to go against the grain. (You only get one life, why waste it being the same as everyone else!)
We SAVE our money for what we want, and make sure we know what it is we want.
What Can YOU DO?
Take some time to think about what you really want. Then read the posts from some AMAZING families below. These guys are all travelling the world with their kids, don’t take my word for it, take a sneak peek into the lives of some amazing families and you’ll soon be blown away by what you really CAN DO if you want it bad enough!
Read These Stories by Inspiring Families Travelling the World
It’s not every day that you are blessed with the chance to undertake the family holiday of your dreams. For our family, being given the opportunity to explore the Great Ocean Road was a chance we couldn’t pass up and a road trip we wanted to capture photographically as well as we could on the tight schedule we had.
These photos highlight the beginning of our National Geographic Documentary journey. The Great Ocean Road is truly one of Australia’s most spectacular road trips. With so many photos to share, we’re breaking them down into smaller groups. Today we have “Stunning Ocean Views” I still can’t believe how aqua blue the ocean was!
If you like our photos, PLEASE help us become Australia’s Most Adventurous Family. You Could win a $10,000 Travel Voucher too, and we can keep bringing you more awesome photos!
EDIT to say THANK YOU! We won and were officially voted Australia’s Most Adventurous Family!
[wp_ad_camp_2] Click on the link above (natgeotv.com.au ^^) Vote for Us by clicking the yellow vote button on the Right Hand Side of the video
You go in the draw for the chance to win $10,000 in Flight Centre Travel vouchers! There’s unlimited Voting/Entry.
Yes you read that right!!
The time has come for our National Geographic trip details to be revealed and for the battle to be crowned Australia’s Most Adventurous Family to begin!
It feels like forever since we took our spectacular holiday along the Great Ocean Road, down to Kangaroo Island, and we’re finally allowed to share with you all the amazing details of our Nat Geo, Nissan X-trail trip.
We would be forever appreciative to anyone reading this to vote for the Walsh Family
I truly hope that someone we know, or who is kind enough to support us in this are the winners.
We feel so absolutely blessed that we’ve been able to share this experience with our children, and we can’t wait over the coming months to blog all the amazing details about the Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island with you all!
When you head over to that website, you will be able to read our diary of our trip, as well as see the promo video that was made using our footage.
Please let us know what you think 🙂
Thank you so much in advance for helping us with votes, it means the world and we’re truly grateful.
If your family is anything like ours, then there’s nothing like the sound of a free family holiday to get the excitement happening! Of course in reality, while no holiday is truly free, it helps to have free accommodation to lessen the burden and allow money to be spent on fun activities instead of high priced accommodation.
Free camping exists in some wonderful places around Australia and is a wonderful option for an Australian family adventure, and one that is overlooked by many holiday makers. Free camps offer the perfect way opportunity for families to stretch their holiday budget further and allow them to stay longer, or experience tourist attractions they may not otherwise be able to afford.
Sounds wonderful right? It really is, so if you’re keen to set off and grab a free campsite for your next family vacation then here’s some things to consider.
1. Pre-Planning your Free Camping Holiday
Just like any other type of holiday, if you’re going to free camp you’ll need to pre-plan. The trick with free camping is knowing where the free camps are. In truth, there has been pressure in many high tourist areas to close free or budget camps, mostly driven by caravan parks who, like everyone else are feeling the pinch within their business. Not to worry though, there are still a whole lot of free camping options, but you’ll just need a little help to find the best of them.
The most recommended book among travel circles is Camps Australia Wide. The current version in early 2012 is Camps 6 with a new version due out around March 2013 and every couple of years continually.
The best option is to grab a copy of this book (it’s a great investment and they hold their resale value too) take a look at the region you’re thinking of travelling to and note all the available sites, or at least find a region that has free camping, as some regions are very limited. The best thing about having a book like this on hand is that you’ll know before you arrive, what facilities are available and if you feel it will be suitable for your camping style, ability and interests.
2. Having the Right Gear to go Free Camping
What gear you’ll need to have a successful camping adventure is very dependent on the type of camping ground you’ll be staying at. It’s important to understand the facilities that exist and prepare accordingly. Just like our guide to buying a family tent, choosing the gear you’ll need for free camping depends highly on the type, location and facilities at the camp site.
Yes, it’s true you can go free camping with just a tent and some basic supplies. In fact, we do just that on a regular basis, and have a great time, the key is understanding your own needs, expectations and making the most of the available facilities. It is important to have your own options for showers/baths if there aren’t any available on site. A porta-loo is also a necessary option if there’s no available toilets. For more avid campers this type of gear is often already on hand, for families with limited camp gear, choose a site with options such as showers and toilets. Sometimes you’ll have to pay a minimal charge for a hot shower, but it will be well worth it.
3. Communication in Free Camps
Most people own a mobile phone and rely on it as their contact method with friends and family or emergency help when out travelling. It’s super important to know the coverage for your mobile phone service if you’re travelling to more remote free camping areas. Chances are that there may be little or no phone reception, so if you don’t have a CB radio, it pays to at least let someone know where you’re going. Often you won’t be camping alone and there’s generally other campers close by, but don’t rely on it. For the most part you won’t need phone contact if you’re out of service, but it’s just good measure to understand if this is the case.
4. Main Points to Consider for Free Camping
Water Availability: Many free camps are more remote and rely on bore water if they even have water available at all. It’s always wise to carry your own water when camping so keep this in mind
Fires and BBQ’s: If you’re staying in a National Park area you won’t be allowed to collect firewood and will need to bring your own. Similarly if there are fire bans in place then open fires are not allowed. Having a gas cooktop in these instances is always a bonus.
Time Limits: Some camp sites only allow limited stays. Be sure to follow any rules in regards to this as you can face fines in some instances, but more importantly, the rules are there to be sure that all visitors to the area have availability to resources. Campers causing problems by ignoring limits and other rules sometimes are the cause of free sites being closed, so it pays to be respectful.
Rubbish: There are no rubbish collection services at many free camp sites. This makes sense because rubbish services cost money, so if you’re not paying or you’re only paying minimal charges, and there are no bins then have respect and take your rubbish with you. Like other problems caused by disrespectful campers,, excess rubbish being left around campsites has forced closure of many sites around Australia.
5. Be Respectful:
Free campsites are a privelege, and sadly misuse or abuse of available facitilies has caused many closures in recent years. Keep it simple, don’t abuse available services, be respectful of the surroundings and other campers, stay tidy and clean and leave your campsite as you found it.
In all honesty, just get out there and have fun. If you’re not used to camping, then start out in a free camp or budget camp that offers great facilities and is close to a town with mobile phone reception, showers and toilets. Grab yourself a copy of Camps 6 and don’t be afraid to test your boundaries by discovering new, more remote places once in a while.
Got Questions? Please ask us below. Got Tips? Please add them to the comments below, we’d love to hear from you!
If you’re a family looking for adventure, keen to pitch a tent and explore the great outdoors, then one of the most important things you’ll need to know is how to choose a family tent to be used as your home away from home. Deciding on the right tent is something that should be done with planning, consideration and research. Be sure to physically look at the tents you’re considering and get a thorough idea of the features and price range available in the tent ranges you’re considering. Not sure where to start? The good news is it’s not as hard to find a great tent as it may seem, if you follow some simple tips.
Many people feel overwhelmed when choosing the right tent, simply because of the large range of options that are available, but, by asking yourself some simple questions, the process of choosing a family tent will become a while lot easier.
1. How Will the Tent Be Used?
This may sound like a silly question, the answer is camping, sleeping right? Wrong! Of course those things are true, but there are other important factors that come into play here. Will you be hiking long distances and need to take the tent with you? If so you’ll need to go for compact and light. Will you be staying for extended periods of time? If so then extra space and durability may be necessary. Generally for extended camping trips it’s a much more comfortable experience in a larger tent that has space to stand. Ask yourself what kinds of camping trips you’re likely to be doing and choose a tent that will fit that style well.
2. How Many People Will Be Sleeping in the Tent?
The size of your family will be one of the major deciding factors in the type of tent you purchase. Although do you notice it wasn’t listed in position 1 of the points to consider. That’s because the size of your family won’t always be the major deciding factor in the type of tent. For example, for trips that require a plane flight to get to your destination, or require hiking on foot, a lighter more compact tent is needed. So in this case, even a family of 5 may decide they can squeeze into a 4 man tent for short stays. However if a family loves to camp for weeks on end in one spot, then a 10-12 person multiple room tent may be just what they are looking for. As a rule, the number of people a tent size allocates is for the maximum number of sleeping adults that will fit comfortably. If you’re needing to store clothing etc for 4 people in your tent, then it wouldn’t be wise to buy a 4 person tent (unless for short hiking trips) a family of 4 would more likely look at 6person and above for these purposes.
3. Where and When do Your Family Camping Holidays Take Place?
Going back to the first two points, the next point to consider is the likely location and timing of your camping trips. If you know you will be camping in summer then a tent with great ventilation is an absolute must! Tents with inadequate windows, lack of fly screening and ventilation points will fast become unbearably hot during the Aussie summer heat, so take this into consideration. If you know you’re likely to do some camping during wet periods or areas where there’s high dew levels at night, then it’s vital to have a tent that is waterproof, has zippers that won’t leak and sturdy flooring that won’t allow the water to penetrate. It’s important to understand that even family camping trips can be inundated with all kinds of weather, so tents that offer these features are always a bonus.
4. Budget Vs Quality
When it comes to the final decision for the tent, the reality is, that the tent you purchase will come down to price vs quality. Once you know where you’ll be using your tent and for what purpose, and how many people you need to accommodate with an average time of stay, then the final decision will be the pricing and quality.
There is such a large variety of pricing across tent ranges, but generally with that pricing range comes a huge range in the extra features and also a major difference in quality. For many families, purchasing a top of the range, ultra expensive tent may be out of the question, but be sure at least to look at the top of the range tent with the features that will suit you, then take a look at the bottom of the range. Once you have an idea of what’s on either end of the price scale, it’s wise to go with an option somwhere in between.
5. Finally….
No matter what tent you choose, be sure to hold onto your purchase receipt, as a good tent should come with a warranty period, and be free from defects. Before you head out on your first camping trip with your new tent, it always pays to do a mock setup at home (or let the kids have a camping trip in the backyard) so you get to know how to set the tent up and pack it down. It’s much more fun if you arrive at your campsite knowing how to pitch your tent instead of wasting time trying to figure it out instead of relaxing!
All your plans are in place for your next family adventure to explore Australia, the kids are excited, travel dates secured and a rough itinerary to lead the way, all the family members are excited, except perhaps the family dog.
While there are many Australian travel experiences that allow you to take dogs on holiday, there are times when you’ll need to leave your much loved canine companion in the care of someone else. Where you leave them is a decision that many pet owners struggle with.
There are some pro’s to having pet carers look after your dog, and a range of options that allow your animals to stay at your own home or at the home of a carer. This option may suit some, but there’s definitely a worry when it comes to leaving animals at home alone even if they have visits daily. Leaving them at the home of someone else, also brings worry about security and dangers you may be unaware of.
For many pet owners, this means that the best care option for your dog is a good Dog Boarding Kennel while you travel.
If you don’t have a regular boarding kennel that you use for your pets, or if you’re travelling with your pets and need to leave them somewhere safe in a new town, then here are some things to look for and some questions to ask to help find the safest kennel for your dog.
How to Find a Good Dog Boarding Kennel:
1. Ask friends, family members, clients, workmates anyone you know who may have some experience with pets and kennels in the local area. If someone has had a bad experience with a kennel, or knows someone who has, they are very likely to tell you if asked. Keep an open mind with any feedback that you hear, and be sure to note the type of dog or pet they have. Another good place to ask for recommendations is your vet, or a local vet. They tend to know a little about what goes on at local area kennels and can probably offer some advice.
2. Research Available Options: Hit the internet or the phone book and make a list of available kennels in the region. There may be some you’ve not heard of from people you’ve asked, and they may be just what you’re looking for. Note down all the kennels and their contact numbers, this will help with the next step.
3. Using your previous research and contact list, contact each of the kennels and ask about their suitability and availability for looking after your dog. Do they cater for large/small/medium breeds, what exercise programs do they have as well as any dietary requirements your dog may have. If they have availability for your requested time period and seem suitable over the phone, the next step is to schedule a visit to check out the facilities. Ask if this is a possibility, and if so, make an appointment to visit. If a kennel won’t allow you access to take a look at their facilities, this may be a warning sign of problems.
4. What to Look For When Visiting a Kennel for Suitability:
Does the Kennel appear clean and healthy?
Is there heating and/or cooling for animals?
Do the staff seem caring and interested in the animals?
Is vaccination a requirement of the pets staying there? (This helps to protect your dog)
Are dogs housed in their own indoor/outdoor run or if only an indoor run are they exercised daily?
Is there adequate lighting and ventilation?
Are beds provided for dogs to keep them up off the concrete?
Are cats housed away from dogs?
How often are dogs fed?
Can special food be supplied to meet dietary requirements?
What veterinary services are available?
Are other services on offer such as grooming, training, bathing?
How are rates calculated and are discounts available?
5. After talking to and visiting available kennels it’s time to make your choice, knowing that your pet will be kept in a safe, healthy environment. Sure they may miss you while you’re gone, but you’re doing them a favour keeping them in a suitable, safe environment where they’ll be looked after.
While there are many Australian travel experiences that allow you to take dogs on holiday, there are times when you’ll need to leave your much loved canine companion in the care of someone else. Where you leave them is a decision that many pet owners struggle with.
