At one with nature and loving it!
TRAVELLING AROUND AUSTRALIA AND LIVING OFF THE GRID IS SOMETHING LILA BENSON AND TERRY AGOSTINELLI OF GEMLIFE HIGHFIELDS HAVE LONG ENJOYED DURING THEIR MANY TRIPS TO COASTAL AND OUTBACK DESTINATIONS.
“There is something pretty special about being at one with nature and the environment,” said the couple who recently hired the Explore by GemLife motorhome for a three-week travel experience around NSW and southern Queensland.
Their latest roadtrip, which began in Toowoomba, took Lila and Terry to Texas, Coonabarabran, Carcoar Dam, Gundagai, Shell Harbour, Katoomba, Bathurst, Bourke, Cunnamulla, Nindigully Pub, Kingaroy and finally Woodgate Beach.
“During the entire three weeks we only stayed in caravan parks for three nights. We loved every minute of our free camping experience with Carcoar Dam – where we spent two nights and returned for another overnight stay on the way back – being a highlight. There are no facilities but it’s a beautiful spot,” said Lila.
She said Carcoar Dam is a popular inland sport and recreational destination in Central West NSW, offering year-round attractions for water sports and fishing enthusiasts, nature lovers, campers, and picknickers.
“Free campers like us are able to secure a spot on the lake foreshores and there’s no limit on how long you can camp there. It is so quiet and peaceful; the water is lovely, and you can watch the amateur fishermen trying their luck.”
Lila said that being in the Explore by GemLife motorhome made it easy to do their own thing on the trip, including stopping where they wanted to and
not having to rely on caravan parks or booking ahead.
“The motorhome has so much battery power and solar in it that despite not being able to use the air conditioning or the microwave (without power), we had everything else we needed including
a fridge, hot water and a gas stove. We also had great weather which was a real bonus,” said Lila.
The couple, who took turns driving, also enjoyed sitting up high in the driver and passenger seats which gave them a great view of the surrounding countryside.
“We also had a really comfortable bed, quite a lot of storage and the fuel consumption was pretty good as well.”
Lila and Terry, who owned their own motorhome prior to moving to GemLife, say they favour travelling through country areas in preference to the cities, and both had special places they wanted to visit during this latest trip.
Terry was keen to visit Gundagai and see the Dog on the Tuckerbox while Lila wanted to spend some time in the outback town of Bourke, both of which were achieved.
“We like to go places we haven’t been, and we like to do it in our own time without booking ahead. Travelling off the grid, especially in GemLife’s motorhome, allows us to do that while at the same time enjoying the beautiful natural environments that surround us,” said Lila.