Making memories on a dream roadtrip

AN OCEAN Grove family is “living their best life” as they travel across the country together by land.

Justin and Leanne Micallef, along with children Tara, 12, Adele, 9, and Lucy, 6 – also known as the “Ocean Groovers”- took off in their Land Cruiser with caravan in tow late last month to conquer a half lap of Australia.

The family has so far driven through South Australia, where they stopped in Coober Pedy and Tom’s Working Opal Mine, then off to Northern Territory where they visited Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Field of Lights and did a sunrise camel tour.

After that was Simpsons Gap and Alice Springs, and earlier this week they were in Davenport, more than 1,000km south from Darwin.

Leanne said the family’s plan was to travel for all of Term 3, exploring the Northern Territory, then traveling across to Western Australia to do the Gibb River Road, Pilbara, Karijini National Park then around the coast of WA into SA.

She said travelling in COVID times had proved quite the adventure because they didn’t know where they were going to end up.

“We were finally let out of Victoria, then Victoria was the only COVID-free state suddenly as other states battle new clusters, and there are lockdowns and border closures everywhere.

“We were in Yulara when Alice Springs was locked down.”

Leanne said it was a volatile and unpredictable world so they had to be ready to pivot.

“I had a very well planned itinerary but that’s out the window now along with the bookings I’d made, so we are totally winging it now and just have to be grateful we are travelling and having great experiences even if not what or where planned.

“It leaves more to be explored next time!”

Leanne said her family had been planning their trip for about five years, picking the best timing to suit the ages of the three kids.

“We were supposed to go in 2020 but COVID locked us down … I was shattered,” she said.

“Then they lifted and it shifted to 2021.

“We were locked down four weeks before we were due to leave … I was stressing we would be prevented from going again. But after overcoming some life hurdles, we were finally able to leave.”

Leanne said Ocean Grove Primary School had been supportive of her children by recognising the amazing opportunity for rich family time, awesome experiences and organic learning on the road, although the family would be home schooling as well to keep the children on track.

Justin owns his own business and Leanne is on long service leave from the Transport Accident Commission, where she works as a learning and organisational development partner.

Leanne said her family was inspired to take their big trip after enjoying family holidays, going away most long weekends and for up to four weeks over Christmas.

“Over time we’ve started to crave more.

“We did a four-week trip up to Fraser Island in January 2020 and had the best time.

“This all inspired us to want to explore more and be more adventurous, doing more free camping and off grid camping.”

Leanne said her grandparents also travelled a lot of Australia too, every year going away for about four months to remote areas.

“My gramps was a sheep shearer in his younger days travelling Australia and working the stations.

“I think watching their videos after each trip ingrained the desire in me too. Also, following inspirational families like Trip in a Van, Wild Touring on socials and YouTube.”

Leanne said there were so many amazing places in Australia that weren’t well promoted within tourism.

“I just wish we could travel full time until we explore every corner or Australia. This won’t be our last trip!”

Leanne said the name “Ocean Groovers” came from them being from Ocean Grove, but also it was a tribute to Justin’s mum who passed away in 2013 from cancer and her email was oceangroovers.

“It was a nice way to take her with us – she would have loved this.”

Follow the family’s travels on Facebook and Instagram by searching “Ocean Groovers”.