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There isn’t one Australian who hasn’t thought about packing it all up and bailing on their average, day-to-day life.

That might be a broad generalisation but it wouldn’t be a risky wager to assume everyone has, however briefly, had that ‘what if’ moment. Perhaps when something goes particularly wrong, or if you’re just stuck in a rut, the thought of leaving it all behind can be a comforting one.

Luke and Jess, an Australian and New Zealand couple, not only had that thought, they acted on it.

Ditching their respective nine-to-fives back in 2017, the pair purchased a Toyota van they fondly named Troopy Rocket and have been galavanting around Australia ever since, venturing to Kangaroo Island, Fraser Coast all the way to the Red Centre, documenting their travels every step of the way.

But how can the average person just drop everything and afford life on the road? Sure, Luke and Jess don’t have mortgages or kids to worry about, so naturally the transition wasn’t as difficult as someone who has quite sturdy roots in place, however it is still possible.

Luke and Jess were lucky enough to garner a following through videos they uploaded as well as blogging their various endeavours, which means they’ve been able to recoup some of the costs from their life in the van through advertising and partnerships.

As this isn’t the case for the average explorer, the couple have laid out a rough budget on their As We Wander blog for complete transparency on how much an outback journey would cost, breaking down every expense such as petrol, food, accommodation (should you want a break from the four-wheeled abode) and, most importantly, activities.

If you’re going to hit the road you have to live a little, so factoring in bucket list-worthy ventures like snorkelling and fishing to your overall budget is important.

Again, not everyone is going to be able to quit their jobs and follow a similar path to Jess and Luke, but there are still plenty of options.

If you have a nine-to-five that requires a physical presence in the office, start planning your next 4WD trip to the Northern Territory, or Broome, or wherever it is in Australia you haven’t yet explored. It’s the best of both worlds – you can satisfy that itch to travel, all the while knowing you have a job to go back to (and a job that’s paying you to take the holiday, given you have enough annual leave).

On the flipside, if you’re in a position to work remotely, follow Luke and Jess’ lead (work permitting) and invest in your own Troopy Rocket, kit it out so you can live in it, and start your journey to wherever you please while working remotely when needed.

If you think you’re ready to bite the bullet and live out your wildest outback fantasy, the enviable couple have even provided some tips on choosing and converting a campervan on their site, which you can read up on here.

Go on, you know you want to. That cushy suburban living can wait until your late 50s.

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