Explore by GemLife

Explorers extraordinaire!

Explore by GemLife motorhome super explorers

Motoring from one experience to the next

THEY SAY, “WHEN YOU’RE ON A GOOD THING, STICK TO IT,” AND PAT AND JENNIFER MACKENZIE ARE LIVING PROOF OF THAT MANTRA. FOR THIS ADVENTUROUS GEMLIFE HIGHFIELDS’ COUPLE, THE EXPLORE BY GEMLIFE MOTORHOMES HAVE BECOME THEIR TICKET TO A LIFE OF DISCOVERY, FREEDOM, AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES.

With an impressive seven hires under their belts, spanning 134 days and 20,000 kilometres, the MacKenzie’s have embraced the open road like few others. From rugged coastlines to hidden gems in the outback, their journeys celebrate a deep love for Australia and its endless wonders.

“We were among the first from GemLife Highfields to hire one of the motorhomes back in September 2021. At that time, we had never been in a motorhome and hadn’t travelled further west than St George,” said Pat.

When GemLife introduced the motorhomes for the exclusive use of homeowners, Pat says it was the best thing that could have happened.

“It’s become our home away from home. Having our own motorhomes to hire here at GemLife gives us the ability to go places and see things we would never have been able to see otherwise, without it costing a fortune. The Explore by GemLife rates are so affordable.”

Pat and Jen have, since their first trip, enjoyed some wonderful travel experiences including attending the major Big Skies Festival at Jimbour, north of Dalby, four times.

“We went to the festival for the first time in 2018 and again in 2019, 2022, and this year. It was cancelled during Covid in 2020 and 2021. We love the music which this year included The Screaming Jets, Brad Cox, Kaylee Bell, Killing Heidi, Deborah Conway and Mick Lindsay.

“Mick, who sounds like Keith Urban, lives on the Sunshine Coast and his parents live in Toowoomba. We met him a few years ago and he gave me a CD. We’ve been fans ever since,” said Pat.

There was plenty to do and see during each of their visits including the heritage-listed Jimbour homestead, built between 1874 and 1877, which was one of the earliest farming stations established on the Darling Downs.

“There were also stalls, markets, campfire dinners and so much more to experience. We even ran into the daughter of one of our fellow GemLife Highfields residents, who was working at a stall,” said Pat.

After four days at the festival, Jennifer and Pat headed to Texas and joined about 15 other caravanners at a campsite by the river before hitting the road again and visiting Ashford (north of Inverell), Glen Innes, Gyra, Armidale, Uralla, Port Macquarie, Walcha, and South West Rocks, which was a particular favourite.

On the way home they popped into Maclean.

“We were just about to drive out of the town when a green Explore by GemLife motorhome rolled in with a couple, Ross and Rosemary, from GemLife Palmwoods. They flagged us down and we took photos of our motorhomes together.”

Christmas was also spent in an Explore by GemLife motorhome.

“We went up to Cape Hillsborough near Mackay to have Christmas with our daughters. We parked right on the beach within the national park and were surrounded by kangaroos and wallabies.
It was great and what a wonderful way to celebrate the festive season,” said Pat.