After chatting with a mate at work post-Easter holiday, I learned he and his partner took the train from Melbourne to Warrnambool to spend the long weekend with family. In Australia, long-distance train travel isn’t as common as in the UK or Europe—we usually drive or fly.

But it wasn’t the mode of transport that caught my attention; it was the destination.

I frequently drive between Melbourne and Adelaide to visit family. The trip takes about 9-10 hours, depending on the number of toilet stops. Leaving at 6:30 in the morning, we usually arrive by mid-afternoon, just in time to spend the first night with my parents and their two cats.

Recently, the kids and I have started incorporating stop-overs in country towns on at least one leg of the trip. These towns are along our main route, but we haven’t really explored the coastal towns or taken the time to enjoy the scenery. Plus, I haven’t ridden every mountain bike trail between Melbourne and Adelaide.

So…

I have a great opportunity with my flexible work environment, allowing me to work from anywhere. The kids stay with their mother part-time, giving me every second weekend free. I usually take short trips to ride my mountain bike when the kids aren’t with me.

This Easter, I camped in my swag, which is fun but not ideal for riding. I prefer staying in cabins for the convenience, but it’s costly. I don’t extend my stays because of the expense, which means I often return on Sundays, missing out on the quieter mid-week period that could be great for my mental health.

So… as many Australians are doing, should I get a camper trailer?

How many roads must a man travel….