An Aussie family that spent nearly two years travelling the country in their caravan have exposed a rarely talked about reality of returning from the trip of a lifetime.
Renee Pike told Yahoo News that her husband, David, and their two young daughters recently returned to their home on the Gold Coast.
However, settling back into a routine over the past several months has been much harder than anticipated, prompting Renee to say that the trip of a lifetime “ruined” her everyday life.
“I wish someone had warned me about this,” she said. “Do not travel full-time unless you are ready to ruin your life.”
Renee told Yahoo that on their return to the Gold Coast late last year, she launched straight into building her consulting business, while David began supervising the construction of an apartment block, and their two girls returned to school.
Now, instead of waking up together on the beachfront of the Ningaloo Reef, they are rushing to make the school run, build a business, and make time for their relationship in the hours in between.
“This week hit me really hard, because this lifestyle is the lifestyle that many families accept as the norm,” she said.
“And the idea of dropping your kids off to school and then rinse and repeat that for 12 years—how is that even right? Travel life has ruined us. We can no longer accept that this is the way to live.”
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Renee, David and their two children have lived off the grid in their caravan on the Ningaloo Coast for months. Source: @oh.hey_renee
What did the family do on their lap of Australia?
During their travels, the family witnessed the best of our country.
For several months, they camped on the Ningaloo Reef, where they witnessed manta rays cruise past their campsite, including one that did a backflip, which they caught on camera.
Ningaloo is well known for its remarkable marine megafauna, including manta rays, whale sharks, humpback whales, turtles, and even the elusive dugong.
The family travelled all around, including spending two months in Tasmania, which was another highlight.
A travelling family were treated to an incredible display from their campsite. Source: Instagram/rooftop.to.reef/oh.hey_renee
Aussie families turning their backs on traditional lifestyles
They’re part of a growing cohort of families turning their back on traditional lifestyles.
Yahoo News recently spoke with Daniel and Apryl Oliver, who had spent years dreaming about travelling around Australia, but like many families, life kept getting in the way.
They had a home, two young daughters, Charlotte and Lillie, and a love for camping, but weekends and annual leave never felt like enough time together.
After moving to Muswellbrook in the NSW Hunter Valley so Daniel could work in the mines and create a better lifestyle for the family, they quickly realised the plan had backfired.
With rising costs and a mortgage, Apryl was working two jobs and Daniel was spending long hours away at work. The couple decided it was time for a major change.
They sold their home, bought a caravan, cleared their debts, set off with their two daughters, and aimed to travel for 12 to 18 months
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What were the positives of returning home?
Renee said that while they plan to get back on the road as soon as possible, there were a few positives to coming home.
The family have loved having more space, a full kitchen, a pantry for storage and a dishwasher.
Also having conveniences like family and friends close by, as well as groceries at reasonable prices.
Renee and her family plan to hit the road again in February next year, with no end date to their adventures planned.
“We have our house to come back to if we have to pause again for whatever reason,” she said.
Caravan mum’s advice to Aussies
Despite saying that the trip “ruined” her family, Renee encourages everyone with the urge to try something new to give it a go.
“If you’ve got that little voice inside of you that’s telling you there’s another way to live, I’m here to say there is.
“My advice is—now that we’ve done both, and we’ve gone and come back—is to take the leap.
“Take the leap and ruin the idea of what you thought life was supposed to look like. Rent your house out, pull the kids out of school, hit the road, throw yourself in the deep end, go and f***ing live.”
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