There’s something both exciting and slightly daunting about packing up your life and heading off for six months, especially when you don’t quite know what to expect. 130,000 acre property, a 60 km journey to the closest town and not knowing how remote, remote is.
Last year’s trip felt different. We had a clearer picture of what we needed, how we lived on the road, and what worked (and what definitely didn’t). This time around, it’s a whole new ball game. A remote station job brings with it a lot of unknowns different routines, different needs, and a completely different way of living.
Packing for the Unknown
One of the biggest challenges this time has been packing for variety.
John needs to take tools for work, which is a whole category of packing in itself. As for me, I could be doing anything, the obvious sitting behind a computer for my current role but also helping out on the station, putting together cheese boards, or pitching in wherever needed. That means practical, durable work clothes are a must.
But it doesn’t stop there…
I also need:
- Everyday casual clothes
- My competition work uniform because ill be flying out to attend competitions for my job (stay tuned for that)
- Outfits suitable for a conference
- And something appropriate for a formal awards night
Trying to pack conservatively for space while covering all of those bases has taken some serious thought (and reshuffling and rethinking and repacking again and sanity checks with the girls).
The Great Caravan Clean-Out
Before anything new went in, I went through the van cupboard by cupboard. Every single space.
If we didn’t use it last trip out it came.
Goodbye to things like spare Sirocco fans and cake tins that seemed like a good idea at the time but never got touched. The goal this time is simple: if it doesn’t serve a purpose (or as someone wise told me, if it doesn't have two uses, its not for van life) it doesn’t come with us.
We did say after the last trip that the clothesline wouldn’t make the cut this time but I’ve changed my mind.
Since we’ll be set up in one place for six months, it actually makes sense to take it. I can set it up properly and leave it in one spot, rather than hanging washing under the awning which is where we’ll likely want to sit, relax, and where I plan to set up a table to work and enjoy the days.
Sometimes “less” is about being intentional, not just minimal.
Last trip we also did not take the folding trestle table, but this trip we will be putting them back in, yep two of them. Why because we have bought an additional King's fridge, being remote we think we may need to run the caravan fridge plus the Engel for drinks and the new Kings one as another freezer. So one trestle table will be to keep the fridge on under the awning so its off the floor and the other Darche table I can use for a work station or for eating outside.
We have also bought things like a bore filter because we are anticipating it to be bore water so we may need to filter that as well as spare water cartridges for the under sink filter. We have stocked up on the composting toilet Coir Peat however, one thing we did not think of was the chemical spray, but hopefully we can get that sent to the nearest Post Office in Qualpie. We have bought a big 25kg bag of bread mix so we can make our own bread and stocked up on the baking supplies.
Mum Mode: Activated
As much as we’re preparing for our adventure, my “mum brain” has been working just as hard making sure everything is sorted back home for our girls.
With the cost of groceries and fuel rising and both girls on minimal incomes I wanted to set them up as best as possible before we leave.
So I’ve:
- Stocked up the pantry and freezer
- Bought extra essentials like body wash, deodorant, washing liquid, and dishwashing liquid, the stuff that makes shops even more expensive
- Made sure they’ve got a solid base to work from while still encouraging independence and life skills
It’s that balance between supporting them and letting them grow not always easy, but important.
Planning for the Moments We’ll Miss
One of the hardest parts of heading away for so long is knowing we’ll miss special moments.
So, in true overthinking fashion (yes, I own it!), I’ve planned ahead.
We’ve got:
- A good friend’s daughter turning 10 — double digits, how did that happen?!
- My little blister’s birthday
- Mother’s Day
- My beautiful goddaughter’s baby shower
- The arrival of her brand new bubba (quietely praying it arrives on my birthday)
- A good friends birthday, we can't miss the op shop gift tradition
- And, my girls birthday (oh and the boyfriend, yes all 3 on the same day), the first one we will ever not be here for
All the gifts are ready and waiting, so our girls can deliver them on our behalf. It was important to me that everyone knows we’re still thinking of them, even from afar.
And honestly? Doing all this prep helps quiet my mind. It’s just how I’m wired and if it means I can relax and enjoy the journey once we leave, it’s worth every bit of effort.
Ready to Roll
So here we are.
The van is (almost) ready.
The house is sorted.
The girls are set up.
All that’s left is to hitch up and hit the road.
This trip feels different a little more unknown, a little more stretched, but also full of possibility.
And we can’t wait to take you along for the ride.
CruznaboutOz — let’s go.