Couple enjoys journey around Australia with this $32 Kmart secret: ‘Let’s give it a shot’
- Replies 3
Embarking on a grand adventure across Australia's vast and varied landscapes is a dream for many.
This dream became a reality for Trevor and Mary, a Melbourne couple in their early 70s, who decided to take the road less travelled—quite literally—by circumnavigating Australia in an SUV rather than the caravan.
Their story is not just one of adventure but also savvy travel that can make a big difference.
The term 'grey nomads' is affectionately used to describe retired Australians who hit the road to soak up the country's natural beauty, and Trevor and Mary fit this description.
However, they opted for a more unconventional and cost-effective mode of travel.
Over the course of three and a half months, they covered an impressive 22,109 kilometres, traversing 53 highways and encountering iconic landmarks such as the Nullarbor, Gibb River Road, and The Savannah Way.
'We often go overseas for our holidays,' Trevor shared, but a short Queensland road trip had whetted their appetite for domestic exploration.
When the opportunity arose to purchase a Subaru Outback from a friend, they seized it.
‘We didn't want to spend $150,000 or whatever, we didn't want to tow a big caravan. We didn't want to pay for that petrol!’ Mary said.
‘So we thought, let's try an all-wheel drive. Let's give it a shot!’
Comfort was a priority for the couple, and they found it in various forms of accommodation across the country, from glamping tents to luxurious resorts.
They indulged in 4-star-plus accommodations and dined out for most meals. Yet, their total expenditure for the trip was $38,000—a figure that paled in comparison to the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining a campervan, not to mention campground fees.
‘And we didn't hold back,’ Mary said. ‘We went on three or four aeroplane rides. We swam with whales. We went on boat cruises.’
But what truly set their trip apart was a simple $32 Electric frypan from Kmart.
This humble kitchen appliance became their secret weapon for those nights when they craved a home-cooked meal over the usual pub fare.
‘We decided that we didn't want fish and chips or chicken parmesan every night of the week,’ Mary said.
They would cook on balconies to avoid triggering fire alarms and in bathrooms when it was raining.
'I've cooked everything in that pan,' she said with pride.
When travelling, packing and unpacking items can be a struggle, but one traveller has made it a breeze.
In a previous story, a Kmart shopper had discovered a nifty solution to end his packing woes—and it’s said to be budget-friendly, too! You can read more about the story here.
Have you found any ingenious travel tricks of your own? Share them with us in the comments below!
This dream became a reality for Trevor and Mary, a Melbourne couple in their early 70s, who decided to take the road less travelled—quite literally—by circumnavigating Australia in an SUV rather than the caravan.
Their story is not just one of adventure but also savvy travel that can make a big difference.
The term 'grey nomads' is affectionately used to describe retired Australians who hit the road to soak up the country's natural beauty, and Trevor and Mary fit this description.
However, they opted for a more unconventional and cost-effective mode of travel.
Trevor and Mary decided to go on a road trip using an SUV rather than a caravan. Credit: Shutterstock
Over the course of three and a half months, they covered an impressive 22,109 kilometres, traversing 53 highways and encountering iconic landmarks such as the Nullarbor, Gibb River Road, and The Savannah Way.
'We often go overseas for our holidays,' Trevor shared, but a short Queensland road trip had whetted their appetite for domestic exploration.
When the opportunity arose to purchase a Subaru Outback from a friend, they seized it.
‘We didn't want to spend $150,000 or whatever, we didn't want to tow a big caravan. We didn't want to pay for that petrol!’ Mary said.
‘So we thought, let's try an all-wheel drive. Let's give it a shot!’
Comfort was a priority for the couple, and they found it in various forms of accommodation across the country, from glamping tents to luxurious resorts.
They indulged in 4-star-plus accommodations and dined out for most meals. Yet, their total expenditure for the trip was $38,000—a figure that paled in comparison to the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining a campervan, not to mention campground fees.
‘And we didn't hold back,’ Mary said. ‘We went on three or four aeroplane rides. We swam with whales. We went on boat cruises.’
But what truly set their trip apart was a simple $32 Electric frypan from Kmart.
This humble kitchen appliance became their secret weapon for those nights when they craved a home-cooked meal over the usual pub fare.
‘We decided that we didn't want fish and chips or chicken parmesan every night of the week,’ Mary said.
They would cook on balconies to avoid triggering fire alarms and in bathrooms when it was raining.
'I've cooked everything in that pan,' she said with pride.
When travelling, packing and unpacking items can be a struggle, but one traveller has made it a breeze.
In a previous story, a Kmart shopper had discovered a nifty solution to end his packing woes—and it’s said to be budget-friendly, too! You can read more about the story here.
.png){kind=icon}
