In the vast, sunburnt land of Australia, a growing number of families and business owners are trading the stability of a traditional home for the freedom of the open road. 

With caravans, RVs, and Bed & Breakfast stays as their new norm, these modern nomads are carving out a life of exploration, adventure, and, perhaps surprisingly, productivity. 

 

Once a lifestyle associated with retirement or gap-year travels, the nomadic way of life has surged in popularity, particularly since the global COVID-19 pandemic. The shift towards flexible working arrangements and homeschooling has made this dream a viable reality for many.

The sight of families on the road is now a common feature of Australia’s highways. These families are not just vacationing; they are living a balanced life of education, work, and travel. For many, homeschooling has become a central part of this journey. Parents, once reliant on structured school systems, have embraced the freedom to educate their children in a more hands-on, experiential manner. Lessons happen at picnic tables in the heart of national parks, or while overlooking pristine beaches, with the flora and fauna of Australia serving as a living classroom.

These parents are often also business owners or remote workers, many of whom have redefined their understanding of work-life balance. Equipped with laptops, mobile hotspots, and satellite internet, they manage their businesses from wherever they can find a signal. The combination of these factors has given rise to a phenomenon some have dubbed “work from anywhere,” as entrepreneurs take meetings from campsites and draft proposals with the sound of waves in the background.

This lifestyle has deep appeal, particularly for business owners who, after years of grind, find themselves yearning for something more than the four walls of an office. Many of these entrepreneurs no longer see retirement as an abrupt cessation of work, but as an opportunity to merge the best of both worlds: the freedom of travel and the satisfaction of work. They continue to run their businesses, albeit at a slower pace, while relishing the experience of discovering new places. The road has become their office, and Australia’s diverse landscape their workspace.

One such business owner, Lisa, a marketing consultant based in Melbourne, found herself rethinking her approach to work after the pandemic. With her clients scattered across the country, she realised that her physical location no longer mattered. What did matter was her family’s desire for adventure and quality time together. She and her husband sold their suburban home, purchased a caravan, and set off on a journey across Australia with their two children. Now, she works remotely, using early mornings to complete client calls and afternoons to explore with her family.

For families like Lisa’s, the ability to work and travel has unlocked a new sense of freedom. Technology, of course, plays a huge role in making this possible. High-speed internet and mobile connectivity allow business owners to stay in touch with clients, manage teams, and keep their businesses running smoothly while thousands of kilometers away from a traditional office. Many remote workers have shared their stories of setting up makeshift offices in remote towns, parking next to a café with Wi-Fi, or finding a quiet spot in a national park to catch up on emails.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is evident in the rise of this lifestyle. The enforced isolation and subsequent shift towards remote work opened people’s eyes to the possibilities of life beyond the office. Many families realised they didn’t have to wait until their children were grown to embrace a life of travel. Instead, they could do it now—juggling work, education, and exploration all at once. This mindset has created a cultural shift, where the traditional ideas of success and work-life balance are being redefined.

In this new era, traveling through Australia’s wide-open spaces is not just for retirees or free spirits but for anyone seeking a deeper connection to life outside the conventional norms. For business owners, in particular, the nomadic lifestyle offers the chance to retire early in spirit while remaining professionally active, fully engaged with their families, and continuously inspired by the beauty of the land.

From the rugged outback to the sandy beaches, Australia has become the backdrop for countless stories of people seeking adventure, purpose, and balance. The road may be long and winding, but for many, it’s the journey of a lifetime, fueled by the freedom to work, learn, and live on their own terms.

 

If this article has inspired you to think about your unique situation and, more importantly, what you and your family are going through right now, please get in touch with your advice professional.

This information does not consider any person’s objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before making a decision, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your particular objectives, financial situation, or needs.

(Feedsy Exclusive)