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For Penny and Kerry Brown, their On The Move caravan is more than just a home on wheels. It’s their escape hatch to music festivals, dusty outback towns and spontaneous adventures. But they still manage just enough time in between for some very beloved grandkids.
The Browns, who’ve had their van for about 15 months now, aren’t your average weekend wanderers. Since hitting the road with their OTM, they’ve clocked in some iconic Aussie stops.
“We went out to Birdsville for the Big Red Bash last year, then made our way through to Winton and Badowie Boolya before heading back to the Sunshine Coast,” Penny said.
They’ve also done Tamworth for the Country Music Festival, the Mary Pumpkin Festival, and have a calendar filled with event-based getaways. Next up? The Big Bush Muster in Charleville this October.
“We love travelling to events, there’s always something going on and someone new to meet,” Kerry said. “The van tows like a dream. You barely know it’s on the back.”
When they’re not festival-hopping, Penny and Kerry enjoy relaxing trips with their local caravan club – often out west from their Sunshine Coast base or to coastal favourites like Lennox Head.
“We joined the club to make sure we keep getting out there regularly,” Penny said. “Though no one else in our group has an OTM yet, we’ll have to work on that!”
What do they love most about their home on wheels?
“The simplicity,” Kerry said. “You arrive, set up in no time and everything’s there. No rummaging around for gear or stressing over what’s missing.”
Plus, Kerry’s a self-confessed gadgets man, so you can bet their van is already kitted out with clever tweaks, though the retreat always gives them ideas for more.
“It’s a bit like a mobile phone,” he said. “You’re only using half its potential unless you start exploring what it can really do.”
At their second OTM Owners Retreat, Penny and Kerry were all about swapping stories, checking out upgrades, and getting inspired by the latest builds.
“We’ve had chats about the grey water tank, new external taps, easier access to the water pump, it’s great seeing what’s been improved in just a year,” Kerry said. “Some things we’d already thought of, but others really made us go, ‘that’s clever’.”
They also enjoyed reconnecting with fellow OTM owners, catching up over coffee, and browsing through the latest vans on display. “It’s just a really good vibe, easygoing and helpful,” Penny said.
“Everyone’s here to share what they know.”
Even though they skipped the steep bushwalk this year (lesson learned from last time!), they spent the retreat soaking in the local charm, taking a scenic drive to Uki, planning a trip to the Murwillumbah markets and enjoying the familiar feel of the hinterland landscape.
While Penny and Kerry would love to set off on even bigger trips (the Northern Territory and North Queensland are high on their list), a few adorable priorities keep them anchored – their grandkids.
“We actually had a new grandchild born just two days ago,” Penny said, “and another one earlier this year. So while we thought we’d be off exploring more full-time, family keeps us close for now, and that’s just fine.”
In the meantime, they’ll keep carving out time to hit the road, catch a country tune or two and continue discovering just how much their On The Move van can really do.
