Caravanning in Australia after retirement – the best spots, dos and don’ts

You’ve both worked your whole life to provide for your family and raise your children; you built your careers and fell into a rhythm of responsible adulthood.

Now, it’s time to let go and hit the road.

Caravanning in Australia after retirement may not be for everyone, but often, those who do it regret not starting sooner.

At First Financial, we’re helping our clients reach retirement comfortably so that they can live life on wheels if they wish to – without a single worry in the world.

Meet Caren and Peter Ruck. Several years ago, Caren was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Because she couldn’t work anymore due to illness, and her husband Peter transitioned into the role of her full-time carer, their monthly mortgage payments became stressful.

Not letting their situation weigh them down, they decided to sell their home along with most of their stuff, buy a caravan and travel full-time.

They have been travelling Australia for the past seven years now, and don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

“Looking back, our house was like an anchor holding us back. It’s such a relief not to be held back by stuff anymore. We feel free now,” says Caren.

“We’ve seen so many things. All the iconic Australian animals in the wild, including echidnas, and emus running along the same pace of the car. One night, in the middle of the Outback, I looked up at the sky and saw nothing but stars, and nothing around us for miles. The vastness of it is truly incredible. I’ll carry that memory with me forever.”

Caren and Peter both agree that they feel rich and fulfilled.

“Pink Floyd sings: ‘All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be.’ That’s our life motto. When we get to our eighties, we’ll remember all of it. Things won’t mean anything to us but these memories will remain.”

While there are simply too many to mention in one blog, they can certainly single out three of their favourite spots:

• Warroora Station (WA). “We loved camping on the beach with our toes in the sand. It’s hard to describe the vividness of the blue water. And at night-time, thousands of crabs come out.”
• Esperance (WA). “The beaches and the scenic drive are beautiful. We could even see stingrays from the road.”
• Litchfield Park (Northern Territory). “The rock formations and waterfalls are incredible. There are also beautiful bush walks and swimming holes.”

This is the chosen lifestyle of Melbourne-based First Financial clients Rodney (67) and Vicki (71) Olsen.

“We are not on the road full-time, we only travel north or west for three months each year to avoid Melbourne’s winter. We plan to travel overseas in 2024 and 2025 for up to four months each year. I would highly recommend the grey nomad lifestyle for a few months only each year,” says Vicki.

The Olsens’ three favourite caravanning spots are:

• The Murray River’s sandy river banks (Vic)
• Fruit Bat Falls (Qld)
• Lake Argyle (WA)

Push your boundaries. “Do things that you’d never thought you’d do, like swimming with whale sharks and humpback whales, or travelling through the vastness of the desert,” says Caren.

“Don’t live your life for your parents or your children. Do what makes you happy. If that means travel – then do it.

When you travel for the first time, stick to the coast. By the time you’ve done that, you’ll know what you’re doing.

Also – take your time. Don’t rush anything.”

Caren and Peter recommend:

• A good GPS with loads of offline maps, as there are many areas without reception
• A Starlink device, which helps you get satellite reception everywhere
• A personal emergency device (EBIRP).

Vicki and Rodney recommend:

• Reliable communication channels
• Good wine
• Enough food to last several days.

At First Financial, we partner with our clients to understand their life goals, and we help them prepare for a comfortable retirement.

If your wishes are to sell your assets and travel full-time, like Caren and Peter, we’re here to give superannuation advice and plan your retirement so that you can do exactly that.

If you wish to travel part-time, like Vicki and Rodney, there are many ways to fund that while keeping your most important assets.

To achieve a healthy and happy retirement, contact our team today for sound advice.