The People We Meet

Rikki Schulze

We met Rikki while at the Mount Augustus Tourist Park. We got talking about the location, the drive in and what else there was to see in the region before we discovered that she and her husband had sold everything and had hit the road, permanently. Younger, permanent travellers is something we are seeing more often and it intrigued us as to the motivations that encourage this type of lifestyle. We posed some questions to Rikki, and this is how she responded. Tell us about yourself and your husband / family.

THE PEOPLE WE MEET

BY CHRIS MORTON

G’day, my name is Rikki! I’m wife to Scott - genius with a spanner and the grower of an excellent beard and mum to Navanah - a ripper almost-7 year old and outdoor adventuring legend! We love camping, 4W driving and have newly discovered a love of fishing! I spent the last 17 years working 9 to 5 in a corporate desk job (or sometimes 5 to 5!) Scott is a drill fitter working a 2:2 roster on the mines and he flies in and out from wherever we are. We met through our parents 4WD club in Perth when we were kids, were reunited about 12 years ago as adults and the rest is history! What has prompted you to this new lifestyle?

It’s the dream, right? We talked about travelling long term in one form or another for years but were too comfortable in our jobs and our home to take the leap. We were geared up to do the big lap in 2020. We’d saved enough for a year, arranged everything with work and school and were ready to head off but of course, come March 2020 we couldn’t even leave home, let alone anything else! Once things started to return to normal, we spent a month travelling up the coast and something just clicked for the both of us. Within three months we’d sold our house, I’d quit my job of 17 years and enrolled Nav into distance education! Where have you been so far?

We’ve been to Shark Bay, then drove through from the Overlander Roadhouse to Auski (only seeing bitumen for about 40km) via Mount Augustus, Tom Price and Karijini. We were in Broome and around the Dampier Peninsula for a few weeks before hitting the Gibb River Road. We then spent

some time around Wyndham, Kununurra and Lake Argyle before heading to the Daly River and Dundee Beach in the NT. We’re now in Darwin! How long do you think you will live on the road?

Either until we get homesick, find somewhere we don't want to leave or Nav starts high school. We both think that high school is as much about the social side and connections as it is about the learning so want her to have that opportunity! But that doesn’t mean we won't go again once she’s done!! Describe your vehicle and caravan.

Our home is a 2020 Lotus Off Grid Caravan towed by a 2019 200-series Toyota LandCruiser! Our caravan is on the smaller end of the scale at 19 foot but has twin bunks, separate toilet/shower and plenty of storage. It’s incredibly comfortable. The Cruiser was pretty much stock when we bought it other than a bull bar and tyres. It’s now had a GVM upgrade and has been tuned for towing. We also installed airbag suspension, a roof rack with a Bushwakka awning, snorkel and a new airbox. BUT the list of further upgrades - drawer systems, new head unit, rear wheel carrier, etc. etc. etc. is never ending!! What has been the challenges to living on the road?

Adjusting to homeschooling has been by far the hardest challenge! It’s hard to be motivated when there are so many fun things to be doing! But we are getting much better at it. Spending every waking moment together is also challenging at times! What do you love so far about your new lifestyle?

The Freedom! Knowing that we can literally go anywhere at any time for however long we want is so incredibly liberating. Waking up each day with no need to set an alarm. Having the freedom to choose to do only things that bring us joy every single day! Watching Nav’s confidence grow and the life skills she is learning all the time! Plus all the amazing things we are seeing and the people we are meeting - we had no idea how many other families were doing their own version of the same thing! What do you miss?

Obviously our friends and family! But staying in touch is really easy these days thanks to FaceTime and social media! We also miss our doggos. We decided it wasn’t fair on them to bring them along and have left them in excellent hands where they’re living their best lives! But we still miss them every single day. Any advice for others considering this move?

Just do it! What’s the worst that can happen? You hate it and go home! I don't think that’s likely, but honestly there is no down side that i can see. There is so much work out there at the moment and it would be very easy to work your way around if needed. I also think people should question why they don't just do it! I know life is easy when it’s comfortable but does that make it good, great or even amazing? Our Instagram handle is the_ginger_gypsies if anyone has any specific questions. I love a chat!