Road testing the trip of a lifetime!
The Grey Nomad lifestyle is increasingly popular among older Australians. They have worked hard and now want to enjoy their retirement by seeing everything that our beautiful country has to offer.
Have you considered ditching the brick ‘n’ mortar house and moving into a campervan or motorhome full-time? Are you unsure whether this nomadic lifestyle is for you? Well fret not, you can test-drive the Grey Nomad lifestyle with GoCheap Campervans.
First things first… What is a Grey Nomad?
The term Grey Nomad was coined in 1997 by documentary filmmakers Catherine Marciniak and Steve Westh, whose documentary by the same name aired on the ABC in September of that year. A Grey Nomad is (generally speaking) a retired person over the age of 55 who travels independently for an extended period within their own country. This travel is usually conducted in a campervan, caravan or motorhome. The length of time on the road can vary from weeks, to years. Some Grey Nomads sometimes even make the lifestyle permanent and sell their home.
Why is the Grey Nomad lifestyle popular!
The Grey Nomad lifestyle is popular for many reasons, but mostly for the adventure! With Australia being full of natural sights and a variety of climates there is something for every nomad no matter what their tastes.
A lot of nomads travel with the seasons, visiting the southern states in the warmer months and heading north for the cooler seasons. Taking advantage of being able to pack up and leave any location as soon as the desire strikes.
Things to consider!
There are a lot of things to consider if you are thinking about the Grey Nomad lifestyle.
The big thing to consider above all is whether the nomadic lifestyle is TRULY for you! It may sound like the ultimate road trip – but some people are not built for the campervan life. That is why we recommend giving the lifestyle a test-run before committing fully.
What do Grey Nomads do?
This can be different for everyone. Some prefer to relax and explore at their leisure, spending time in local cities and towns and becoming a source of income for the local economy.
For those who prefer to keep busy, seek out jobs. Grey nomads can work in a variety of areas, providing helpful labour to locals. This is especially valuable in regional areas as they help by picking fruit, performing light manual labour or even volunteering at local community centres and museums.
Choosing your vehicle
GoCheap Campervans are a great starting place for those considering the Grey Nomad lifestyle. There are vans available in a variety of shapes and sizes. From our 2 Berth High-Top to the 6 Berth Derwent, we have options for all tastes and budgets. You can even try out renting multiple types of campervans to see which might suit you and the vision you have for your future nomadic lifestyle.
Choosing the right vehicle plays a big part in the success of your trip. We have options available for all travellers – from our 2 berth campervans all the way to our 6 berth motorhomes.
For those travelling as a couple, our 2 and 4 berth vehicles provide plenty of space. The 2 berth Hi-top is our entry level campervan, and this is the only vehicle in our fleet without a built-in shower and toilet.
You can upgrade to our 2 berth Tamar campervan to get an onboard bathroom. The campervan has a permanent (and very comfortable) bed at the back of the motorhome and is perfect for those who want to relax in bed for longer hours.
If you are looking for something with a little more room, choosing either our 4 or 6 berth motorhomes might be the way to go. If you want a full list of our vehicles with all the amenities that they have to offer, please visit our website.
Things to consider
Finance: If you’re planning a long trip you’ll need to accommodate for finance. Good news, if you don’t want to dig into your retirement savings or your super, you can work on the go! If your profession isn’t in demand, now is the time to learn a new skill or try something new! You could even capitalise on your hobbies if you enjoy writing, arts and crafts, gardening, or working with tools.
Communication: One of the most important things to do is to share your travel plans with someone. This ensures that someone knows where you are in case of an emergency. You’ll also need to do your research, so you know how to get help in remote areas with no service. Spend some time looking into satellite phones and beacons.
Internet: Local newspapers and word of mouth are great, but they can only get you so far. Take your search online and scour the internet for websites dedicated to grey nomads. Here you’ll find forums, helpful guides, and classified sections (including help and work wanted). This will help you figure out where your next best destination is if you’re new to living life on the road.
Making the plunge!
If you are committed to embracing the Grey Nomad lifestyle, we can also help you with your purchase of a quality used campervan. The team in our sales arm Cruisin’ RV Sales can help you.
Ready to start your trip? Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the campervans we have available at our branches!
