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Some people wait until retirement to start adventuring. Jane McFarlane decided to start early – just her, her Adventure 5.5, and Fluffy, her four-legged travel buddy.
“I purchased my Adventure 5.5 at the end of February, I believe it was,” Jane said. “And yeah, I absolutely love it. It’s just myself and Fluff here, and we travel around when I can. Had no issues, and yeah—it’s our little home away from home.”
For Jane, caravanning isn’t a new idea, it’s a return to something she loves.
“I decided to get a van because I just wanted to travel again,” she said. “I went around Australia in 2012 and I just wanted to hit the road again.”
Travelling solo isn’t always easy, but her On The Move van makes it feel effortless.
“Travelling by yourself as a single person, it’s not easy. But I really like this one. It’s easy to tow, I don’t have any issues with towing or setting it up and I love it.”
So far, she’s taken her van on a few short trips around Toowoomba, up to northern New South Wales and as far as Yeppoon over Easter.
“It was fantastic up there,” she said. “Yeah, we enjoyed it, the weather was great.”
Jane’s big goal? Another lap around Australia – just like in 2012.
“Yeah, 100%,” she said. “At the moment, I’ve just got a few family things to sort out, but once they’re sorted, I’m definitely doing the big lap.”
And of course, Fluffy’s coming too.
“Fluffy absolutely loves camping and the camping life, don’t you Fluff?” she said. “He loves being in the car and travelling in the van and he’s got his own little spot inside, so he’s good company.”
This year was Jane’s first On The Move Owners Retreat and she jumped right in. She came along to connect with fellow travellers and swap tips.
“I’ve met some really lovely people and thoroughly enjoyed myself,” she said.
“Just to talk to other people with the same van, get some ideas on what they’ve done and meet like-minded travellers.”
Her verdict? “Absolutely loving it. It’s a great spot here, it’s beautiful. The meals that you put on were fantastic. The games were fun too.”
Even Fluffy was up early and keen to explore.
“I think I was the first one to rise! Fluff and I went for a walk down towards Misty Mountain, that was great. We came back and had some breakfast. We’ve done some bike riding today and I went for a drive to Nimbin and up to Misty Mountain again just to see it for next time we come down this way.”
As a solo traveller, Jane has learned a few things and she’s always happy to pass them on.
“A girlfriend shared quite a few tips with me because she travels alone as well. Similar situation where they’ve lost their partner. Security is the big one,” she said. “I’ve added a few latches to the security door, cameras, solar lights and stuff like that.”
Travelling with a dog has its own rhythm, but Jane says Fluffy is all in.
“He likes to go to the beach mainly, but I find he’ll go wherever I go. He loves the outdoors just as much as I do. As soon as you say the word ‘camping,’ he’s all for it. He’s straight into the car as soon as he knows he’s going.”
While she hasn’t made too many changes to the van yet, she has plans.
“I’ve ordered a piece of canvas to go at the front of the van just to stop any stone chips that’ll arrive shortly. I’ve also mounted the barbecue and a few extra things. I’d like to put some filtered water in there too, being that I work for a water filter company, that’s one thing I will include shortly.”
She’s not working from the road yet, but that may change soon.
“My work has asked me if I want to travel up to do the Cairns to Townsville run over the next couple of months, so that will definitely be on the cards.”
For now, she’s just soaking up the freedom.
“I just like the freedom of getting out and about, going to new places and exploring what Australia has to offer.”
