A couple who grew tired of suburban life have revealed why they decided to pack up their belongings and embark on a dream caravan trip around Australia – and they believe all families should do the same.
Ryan Mumford, his wife Bec and their two-year-old son Riley set off in May 2023 to visit remote parts of the country in their “home on wheels” – a truck with a caravan-inspired setup on the back.
The couple, aged 42 and 36, made the “split decision” to travel at the perfect time, as Ryan hated his mining job despite its lucrative salary.
‘I hated my job. One day I came home out of the blue and said to Bec, ‘Let’s do this,'” Ryan, 42, told FEMAIL.
Now, 16 months later, they have visited South Australia, Queensland and various areas of Western Australia. And while it has been an incredible journey, it has not been without its challenges.
The family was forced to totally transform their way of life and adapt to living in close quarters for hours on end, earning a living on the road and entertaining a young child full-time.
While most who go down the ‘van life’ route sell their homes to finance the adventure, Ryan and Bec knew this wasn’t the right option for them right away, especially in the current economic climate.
Instead, the couple rented out their home to earn additional income.
Australian couple Ryan and Bec Mumford packed away their belongings, invested in a “house on wheels” and traveled around the country with their little boy Riley for 16 months.
On average, the couple spent $1,500 per week, with gas being their biggest cost followed by groceries.
‘We’ve met so many people who do the same thing as us and go three months and hate it. “They can’t stand the small space and being together all the time, and then they come home with nothing,” Ryan said.
“So selling your house without testing it first is the worst thing you can do.”
The couple left home with $80,000 in the bank to live on and by the end of the trip they had spent $100,000, something they do not regret despite admitting that it was more than they had planned.
On average, the couple spent $1,500 per week, with gas being their biggest cost followed by groceries.
While they had every intention of planning their expenses, they stopped budgeting after the first month.
“It varied from week to week depending on where we were and how long we were there,” Ryan said.
The couple, aged 42 and 36, made the “split decision” to travel and at the time Ryan “hated” his mining job despite the huge salary.
Along the way, Ryan began working in the fields and in one month earned an incredible $22,000.
‘I had two jobs and could work 24 hours if I wanted to. You can make a good living and I think you can make $100,000 in six months because there is so much to do; You just can’t be picky about the work you get,” Ryan said.
The couple only planned to travel for 12 months, but Ryan was laid off at Christmas, so they continued exploring for another four months.
The truck was also pulling a trailer with a buggy. Along the way, Ryan began working in the fields and in one month earned an incredible $22,000.
The couple only planned to travel for 12 months, but Ryan was laid off at Christmas, so they continued exploring for another four months.
Inside the packed caravan, there was everything the family needed: bunk beds, a kitchenette, bathroom, refrigerator, microwave and Wi-Fi.
Despite being overcrowded, the caravan had everything the family needed, including beds, a kitchenette, a bathroom, a fridge, a microwave and Wi-Fi.
They quickly learned to get along without bothering each other and, surprisingly, managed to get by without a single argument.
During the days, the family visited new beaches, fished, and joined other families they met along the way.
The Isuzu truck was also powerful enough to pull a golf cart on the back of a trailer to make it easier to explore new places at high speed.
As for little Riley, the couple said he loves living on the road and “adjusts very well.”
Now the family has returned home and is planning their next adventure, although this time they will sell their house to finance the trip.
Now the family has returned home and is planning their next adventure, although this time they will sell their house to finance the trip.
“After three weeks I started to feel itchy feet,” Ryan said.
‘Riley isn’t used to having a backyard either: usually the world is his backyard. We can wait to get back on the road.’
