Work, Wander, Repeat: A Year in the Life of Australia’s Digital Nomads | Lets Go Caravan and Camping

Work, Wander, Repeat: A Year in the Life of Australia’s Digital Nomads

Category: Inspiration, News, Date: 12 January 2025

After a stressful period in their lives, Brett and Kirsty felt themselves needing a change. Fast forward two years, and after selling their house, buying a caravan, and traveling across Australia, Brett and Kirsty have spent the last 12 months finding the perfect balance in work, travel, and everything in between! 

We chatted to Brett and Kirsty about their journey adopting life as digital nomads, embracing the unexpected and finding joy in the little things. Read their story below! 

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Following years of work and study, Brett and Kirsty were craving something different – a year away from all the stress of their day-to-day lives. Both in their 40s, with full-time jobs and kids who have finished school, they explored various options. From taking a holiday to relocating within Australia or even moving abroad. However, it was a spontaneous trip to Outback Queensland in a borrowed motorhome that provided the ultimate answer – buy a caravan and travel Australia! 

Once the decision was made, they rented out their family home, sold an investment property to help fund their travels and off they went! 

Work Setup and Routine as Digital Nomads 

Initially, Brett and Kirsty had planned to take the full 12 months off work, either through long service leave or resigning. However, a stroke of fate prior to their trip meant that Brett landed a new job in Cyber Security. The flexible, remote work arrangement was perfect for a new life as travelling digital nomads.  

Once they hit the road, Kirsty was also able to secure a temporary contract doing remote-work in Data Analytics. With them both working three-days a week to help fund their travels, every week brought a long weekend spent exploring this beautiful country. 

Life on the Road  

For Brett and Kirsty, it was really important to find the right balance between work and travel. They typically began the week in their ‘digital’ phase, getting their work done and minimising time spent travelling.  

The latter half of the week then is when they get to enjoy the nomadic lifestyle – getting out to explore and enjoy their surroundings, travel to their next destination and soak in once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as the breathtaking Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley in Western Australia. 

digital nomads advice work and travel
Brett and Kirsty installed a custom T-Shaped desk in their van that allowed them both to work comfortably.

Work Essentials as Digital Nomads

  • Tech hardware such as laptops, monitors, mice, and keyboards 
  • Comfortable workstations, including ergonomic office chairs and a custom T-shaped desk, ensure they can both work efficiently while on the road 
  • Solar, an inverter and lithium batteries to stay connected 
  • Crucially… Starlink! Unlike traditional mobile networks, which often lack coverage in isolated areas, Starlink provides high-speed satellite internet that ensures consistent connectivity wherever you travel 

Travel Essentials as a Digital Nomads 

  • Tracking major expenses such as fuel, accommodation, maintenance, gas and activities. Apps such as Spending Tracker can be helpful here 
  • Use apps like Fuel Map Australia and rewards programs (e.g., Woolworths Rewards, Linkt, G’Day Parks) to save on fuel, but be prepared to pay higher prices when convenience or necessity demands it 
  • WikiCamps for valuable information on accommodation, water, power and points of interest 

Rewards and Challenges 

While the digital nomad lifestyle comes with a few challenges for Brett and Kirsty—such as being away from family, missing home comforts like a relaxing bath, and the occasional difficulty in socialising due to working from their van so frequently—they’ve found the positives far outweigh the drawbacks.  

Exploring Australia’s incredible diversity has been a life-changing experience, offering opportunities for hiking, snorkeling, boat rides, and even helicopter flights. Swimming with sea lions in Port Lincoln, snorkeling with whale sharks, and exploring Karijini National Park are just a few unforgettable highlights for Brett and Kirsty.  

Sharing their journey with family and friends on their social media and blog, has also brought them immense joy, allowing them to stay connected with loved ones and inspire others to explore the beauty of Australia.  

working on the road work and travel as digital nomads
One challenge they encountered included getting bogged at a Hip Camp they were staying in

Advice to Anyone Considering Life as a Digital Nomad

Brett and Kirsty’s advice to anyone wanting to follow in their footsteps? “Just do it!”

Pursuing a life of work and travel might seem like a daunting, difficult task, but Brett and Kirsty have found there are far more opportunities out there than you think.

For those worried about the social aspect of life on the road, they recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and engaging with others—most fellow travellers are approachable and friendly. Travelling with friends or meeting new ones along the way can make the experience even more enjoyable. Whether it’s sharing stories around a campfire or starting a blog like Brett and Kirsty did, the digital nomad lifestyle offers endless opportunities for growth, connection, and adventure.

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With their 12-month adventure now over, Brett and Kirsty feel they’ve had the most incredible time not only creating wonderful memories but recording and sharing them as well through their Facebook page, YouTube channel and blog. Sharing these unforgettable experiences with their friends, family and the wider travel community was an unexpected highlight of their trip. 

While they’re excited to be back to their family and home comforts, they will miss the freedom of the digital nomad lifestyle, the unbelievable wildlife encounters and stunning natural scenery they were able to enjoy on this adventure. 

Watch Brett and Kirsty’s wrap-up video to uncover what made their journey unforgettable, how they managed their budget, and what’s next for these adventurous digital nomads! 

Explore the rest of our ‘Working on the Road’ Series!

working on the road jess and allan

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