AN OCEAN Grove family is \u201cliving their best life\u201d as they travel across the country together by land.<\/p>\n
Justin and Leanne Micallef, along with children Tara, 12, Adele, 9, and Lucy, 6 \u2013 also known as the \u201cOcean Groovers\u201d- took off in their Land Cruiser with caravan in tow late last month to conquer a half lap of Australia.<\/p>\n
The family has so far driven through South Australia, where they stopped in Coober Pedy and Tom\u2019s Working Opal Mine, then off to Northern Territory where they visited Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Field of Lights and did a sunrise camel tour.<\/p>\n
After that was Simpsons Gap and Alice Springs, and earlier this week they were in Davenport, more than 1,000km south from Darwin.<\/p>\n
Leanne said the family\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
She said travelling in COVID times had proved quite the adventure because they didn\u2019t know where they were going to end up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were in Yulara when Alice Springs was locked down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leanne said it was a volatile and unpredictable world so they had to be ready to pivot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a very well planned itinerary but that\u2019s out the window now along with the bookings I\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt leaves more to be explored next time!\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were supposed to go in 2020 but COVID locked us down \u2026 I was shattered,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen they lifted and it shifted to 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were locked down four weeks before we were due to leave \u2026 I was stressing we would be prevented from going again. But after overcoming some life hurdles, we were finally able to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver time we\u2019ve started to crave more.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did a four-week trip up to Fraser Island in January 2020 and had the best time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis all inspired us to want to explore more and be more adventurous, doing more free camping and off grid camping.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leanne said her grandparents also travelled a lot of Australia too, every year going away for about four months to remote areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy gramps was a sheep shearer in his younger days travelling Australia and working the stations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leanne said there were so many amazing places in Australia that weren\u2019t well promoted within tourism.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wish we could travel full time until we explore every corner or Australia. This won\u2019t be our last trip!\u201d<\/p>\n
Leanne said the name \u201cOcean Groovers\u201d came from them being from Ocean Grove, but also it was a tribute to Justin\u2019s mum who passed away in 2013 from cancer and her email was oceangroovers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a nice way to take her with us \u2013 she would have loved this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Follow the family\u2019s travels on Facebook and Instagram by searching \u201cOcean Groovers\u201d.<\/p>\n
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