HOW A CAIRNS FAMILY IS STILL MAKING A YEAR-LONG HOLIDAY PAY
BRYONY and Paul Sumner have been travelling Australia for the past 13 months and have learnt a thing or two about making it work.
The Whitfield couple began their journey the previous June, setting off with their two boys, Arthur, 3, and Renner, 4.
Bryony, who runs a travel blog called “Coasting Australia” featuring updates from the family and advice for would-be travellers, said planning was most important.
“Before you leave, you have to plan everything. Pack well, save your money and think about what you need,” she said.
“Once you set off, it’s the opposite. It’s better to not have too many plans, put less stress on yourself.
“Go where the road takes you and don’t think: ‘We have to be here, do this, fit this in.’ ”
For the first few weeks on the road, the Sumners treated the journey like a typical holiday.
However, with enough time on the road and a budget to keep in mind, things quickly settled down.
“We were having beer at every bar, buying souvenirs everywhere, doing tours, but that had to stop,” Bryony said.
“Take into account that costs go up the further into the outback you get.
“We have a $200 a week budget now, which we’re very conscious of.
“We don’t have a kitchen on the bus, so we eat at these beach barbecues and reserves so it feels like we’re eating out even though we’re not.
“It’s better with the age of the kids, they’re not good at restaurants.”
Young Arthur and Renner have both had birthdays while on the road.
The Sumners hope to be able to continue travelling until the boys are at least school age.
“We’re blown away by how much they’re learning,” Bryony said.
“The things they remember about different places – farm stays, fossicking, it’s been like a constant classroom.
“It’s also good for the dog – a kelpie cross – she’s gotten very comfortable now that she’s realised the bus is her home. At the moment the needs of the dog and the kids are very similar; we drive in short bursts, and make sure they get feeding and exercise.”
IT’S BETTER TO NOT HAVE TOO MANY PLANS … GO WHERE THE ROAD TAKES YOU AND DON’T THINK: ‘WE HAVE TO BE HERE, DO THIS, FIT THIS IN’
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done some work in backpackers’ hostels over Christmas.” The couple recently got a gig house-sitting in Ballarat. “We have the luxury of not being bound by time – we’re not going back to work,” Bryony said. “If you have just three months, try for a smaller route and find work on the way.”