https://www.facebook.com/1673605876262368/

The Great Escape - Australasia, Blenheim (2026)

11/02/2023

And just like that 7 years of life on the road has come to an end.

2600 days (give or take a few).

From the first day to the last.

From Australia to New Zealand.

From an off-road camper trailer to a 50 year old vintage caravan.

From a family of 3, to a family of 4.

We’ve had good days, bad days, boring days, beach days, snow days, wet days, amazing days, average days, hospital days, sick days, car crash days, hiking days, stunning days.

Days when life seemed like absolute perfection. Days where we seriously questioned our life choices.

We’ve had just about every kind of day imaginable in this crazy journey, and even though we are ready for this next stage of our life, man it’s hard to say goodbye to those days.

People often worry about the ‘what ifs’ when they’re thinking about a massive life change, or a crazy journey like this one. They think about all the things that could (and sometimes do!) go wrong. But when you’re weighing up the options and you’re going through all those ‘what ifs’ please don’t forget to include this one:

What if it turns out to be the absolute best days of our lives.

It’s been a hell of a journey. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

❤️❤️❤️

Wireless Nation | Cub Campers | SmartBar | Ultra Vision Lighting | REDARC Electronics | Sherpa 4x4 | The Scrubba Wash Bag | Tesalate

16/01/2023

Managed to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Australis (aka Southern Lights) here in the South Island last night!

Unfortunately we were a wee bit too far north to get a good show, so it wasn't much more than a glow on the horizon to the naked eye.

But my camera sees more than I do, so I was pretty stoked to see these images of a beautiful Aurora appearing beside the Milky Way

❤

07/01/2023

2011 Mitsubishi Pajero & 15ft 1972 Oxford 4 berth Caravan FOR SALE!

We're moving back to Australia so our home on wheels is up for sale from late January! Prefer to sell in the Waikato region but may be open to other options in the right circumstances (Note: selling in New Zealand, not Australia!)

Looking for $26k for the Caravan and $28k for the 4x4.
But if you want them both together, we’ll do the set for $50k.

Feel free to ask any questions, please share with anyone you think might be interested, and all the details are as follows:

15ft 1972 Oxford 4 berth Caravan
NZ made – fully stripped and rebuilt interior completed by qualified carpenter
Certified Self Contained & excellent 12v/solar electricity system - designed for off grid self-sufficient travel.
Available from late January in the Waikato region

General features:
Comes with everything you’ll need for both long term travel or just weekends away
4 berth including fixed full double bed + fixed bunk beds, all with innerspring mattresses + all linen & bedding
Shade cloth screen on bottom double bed to stop little ones falling out
Galley style kitchen
L shaded lounge seating with custom made folding table – able to be moved completely out of the way when not in use
Fully insulated walls + ceiling (PIR insulation)
Diesel heater for off-grid use + 240v portable fan heater to use when plugged into power
Double bed lifts up on gas struts with huge storage space underneath
Multiple storage space throughout including generous kitchen cabinetry, under beds, ends of beds, shelves, hooks and hanging areas.
Access hatch to underbed space for easy access to storage + portable toilet
Thetford portapotty 165 with 21L holding tank
3 x high quality adult camp chairs, 1 x child’s chair & 1 x folding outdoor table
LPG, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms + fire extinguisher & fire blanket
Gorgeous custom made macrame door screen

Exterior:
Strengthened Chassis with sandblasted and repainted underside and A frame
Hydraulic Brakes
9kg fixed gas bottle and spare 4.5kg bottle
Spare tyre (not attached)
External power outlet (10A)
Near new 4 metre long Intenze canvas awning + walls & ground sheet

Kitchen:
Thetford 2 burner stove + grill with overhead rangehood
Dometic CRX110 2-way fridge/freezer
Fixed 95L fresh & grey water tanks + water level monitor for both tanks
12v water pump + cut off switch to tap
Good sized functional sink with high faucet so your dishes actually fit
Door mounted 20L rubbish bin hidden inside cabinetry
All kitchen utensils including pots, pans, plates, cutlery etc.

Electrical:
2 x 120A deep cycle AGM batteries
2 x REDARC Electronics 150W roof mounted solar panels
Fantastic Redarc Manager 30 battery management system which charges batteries when plugged into mains power, charges from solar, and charges while driving. Comes with LCD screen to easily show state of charge + all electrical stats about power in & out
External socket + lead to bring power from caravan park + Ampfibian Pty Ltd power adapter if you want to plug into power at home
Multiple 240v sockets & usb plugs throughout caravan including at bed heads for easy access
All 240v signed off by qualified electrician with current electrical warrant of fitness (EWOF)
1 x external 10amp power outlet
700W Kickass pure sine wave inverter
Shut off switch for 12v to caravan
Multiple lights throughout interior including dimmable lights over each bed + external light

Please be aware that this caravan is 50 years old. It’s a fabulous van, in excellent condition, but that doesn’t change it’s age. It has had previous small leaks, and although we’re 99% sure they’ve all been dealt with, there is no way to guarantee that in a van of this age. We’ve also done extensive work on the chassis so ensure it’s capable of continuing to be towed for many years to come. But again, it is 50 years old. The age of the caravan also means the law requires 6 monthly WOFs which can be a bit of a pain in the ass at times, although good for peace of mind in a van of this age.

Caravan price: $26,000

2011 Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4
We loved this vehicle so much we brought it over from Australia with us. It has been super reliable both on and off road, is a comfortable drive and is fully set up for long term travel. Details include:
Manual transmission, 3.2L diesel engine, 5 seats, 164,000kms
BF Goodrich ko2’s tyres
Dual battery system with 120A AGM deep cycle battery
120W Solar panel fixed to roof
Redarc 1225D DC-DC charger
Cargo barrier with rear storage shelves & 65L techni ice fridge (can also be used as a freezer) on slide
7 pin round plug
Anderson plug to tow caravan
Redarc Tow Pro electric brake controller
Full Roof Rack
CB radio
SmartBar bullbar
Sherpa 4x4 Winch (9500lbs with synthetic rope)
Ultra Vision Lighting spotlights on bulbar
Genuine Tow Bar
Towing mirrors

4x4 price: $28,000

Price of both together $50,000
Available from late January in the Hamilton region.
Links to videos with a caravan walk through + details of the 12v systems in both car & caravan will be posted in the comments.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!

05/01/2023

Rob Roy Glacier!

This is definitely my favourite Glacier we've visited in NZ - such a stunning view and a beautiful walk in to find it.

The big kid and I went on a day trip to find this one. It's about an hours drive from Wānaka on a road that becomes dirt for the last 30km, and has a number of small water crossings. I'm told many hire companies won't allow their vehicles out there, but there were definitely all manner of vehicles in the carpark so even though it was very easy for us in the 4x4, regular vehicles should be ok if the weather is good and they take it slow. You can also free camp in the carpark which is a great option if you don't the want to do the drive out and back in one day.

From the carpark it's a 10km return hike to the top Glacier viewpoint, and it's well worth it. You come out above the tree line to absolutely stunning views of the glacier and (particularly at this time of year) multiple waterfalls. We even saw a portion of the glacier break away and avalanche into the surrounding rockface. Fortunately we were a safe distance away but it is worth noting that there is a high avalanche risk on this walk over winter & spring, which is why we've only recently been able to get out there, despite multiple visits to Wānaka.

I definitely recommend this one - it's far more impressive from the ground than the other more famous glaciers on the west coast, and the journey is beautiful in it's own right.

27/12/2022

Kepler Track!

My pre-Christmas solo adventure was to hike the 60km Kepler Track in stunning Fiordland over 4 days, finishing on Christmas Eve.

I scored a single spot on this very popular hike "backwards" to how just about everyone else does it, so I ditched the husband and kids and went exploring on my lonesome.

And it was awesome - hiking without carrying a small child, or listening to one talk non stop the entire way was absolute bliss!

I met some wonderful people from all over the world, made friends with some very cheeky Kea, had spectacular views and very fortunate weather (got sunburned, and not wet!)

Adventures like this are one of the things I love most about this beautiful country ❤

24/12/2022

Campsite + private hot tub = perfection!

Nathan's birthday present this year was a night at LandEscape Wanaka where you can camp a night on their farm with exclusive use of a wood fired hot tub on site for the night.

It'll set you back around $200 which may seem like a lot for a campsite, but is pretty cheap for 22 hours of hot tub use. And it's very awesome to be able to sit and watch the sunset (followed by the beautiful star filled night sky) with a glass of bubbles, jump out and into your own bed for the night, then up and back into a warm tub with your coffee in the morning!

We absolutely loved our time here, but I will say it's not quite as exclusive as photos on their website suggests - there is another campsite a short distance away (see last photo) so that's something to be aware of when choosing to stay.

Eagle eyed Aussies may also recognise this location from a recent 100% Pure New Zealand tourism ad, although fortunately we didn't encounter any giant dream Kiwis during our stay 🤣

19/12/2022

Arguably one of the best free camping views in the country...

Lake Pukaki Freedom Camp, with views all the way across the lake to Aoraki Mount Cook ❤

19/12/2022

"When I'm biggerer and biggerer I'll come back with Mum, Dad, and Ryan and climb that mountain!"

Now while I think it's highly unlikely that I'll stand at the top of Aoraki/Mount Cook in my lifetime, you never know, she just might ❤

17/12/2022

We almost got blown off the edge of the world...

Check out Rosie's face and Ryan holding on for dear life 🤣

This is the Southernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand. The only things further south on this earth are parts of Chile & Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Stewart Island (also NZ) and Antarctica.

And I don't know for sure but I suspect it's called Slope Point because the few surrounding trees are on a permanent slope due to the regular insane winds!

The kids got back to the car after walking in wild winds, and horizontal rain, with us holding onto them with a vice like grip and both said "that was fun!" 🤣

15/12/2022

SEVEN YEARS ON THE ROAD!
(and it's coming to an end... 😱)

Yes, you heard that right. Today marks 7 years since we packed up our lives, sold all our stuff, rented out our house, and hit the road to travel Australia (& then NZ!)

But it's also time to tell you something pretty big - we've decided it's (almost) time to say goodbye to this wonderful lifestyle and settle back down in our house in Melbourne.

This is HUGE for us. Deciding to stop is almost as monumental as starting. Perhaps even more so. Because when we started we could never have imagined where this life would take us, or how much we would love it. But after 7 long years of ups, downs and everything in between we're acutely aware of what we're giving up by choosing to stop. And how much we're gunna miss it.

But in saying that, it's time. Like any massive life change it's a little bit exciting, a little bit bittersweet, and a little bit terrifying. But we're all definitely ready, and we're all looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.

The kids are looking forward to their own bedrooms, a tree house, more toys than can fit in a caravan, school/kinder, cousins, grandparents, aunties, and the idea of a Playstation, trampoline, and maybe even a pet lizard or two.

The adults are mainly just looking forward to more space and time away from their children (honestly, I can't wait to send them off to school & kinder 🤣)

So, it's all happening early next year. We've given our tenants notice we're returning, and because I don't do anything by halves I'm also taking the opportunity for a career change and will be happily moving from Nursing to Midwifery by commencing a Graduate Diploma of Midwifery. Uni starts in early February, so this Summer will be our last on the road.

It does also mean we'll be saying goodbye to our beloved 4wd & caravan, which might be the hardest part of all. So if you know anyone in the market for either, or for the entire ready-to-hit-the-road setup then let us know and get in before we list them for sale in the very near future!

We'll still be posting our travels over the Summer as we enjoy all these last moments of life on the road, so we're not going anywhere just yet. But enjoy it while it lasts because like all good (great, wonderful!) things, it will soon be coming to an end...

(PS - you'd think after 7 years we'd have worked out how to take a good family selfie. But apparently not 🤣)

The Great Escape - Australasia

11/02/2023

16/01/2023

07/01/2023

05/01/2023

27/12/2022

24/12/2022

19/12/2022

19/12/2022

17/12/2022

15/12/2022

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request