Never Leave Home Without Coffee or Champagne
Announcement posted by Horizon Motorhomes 03 Mar 2017
Australian women are among some of the most independent in the world, and this is especially true when it comes to traveling. A global Women’s Travel Survey in 2015 revealed that a massive 81% of Aussie females were planning to travel solo that year alone. This number is almost 20% higher than women from the U.S. *
82% per cent of these solo travellers said their main reason for taking off alone was to "get away from it all". Nearly half of the women (45 per cent) said a reason was being able to choose their own schedule without worrying about others.**
Nola, 65, from Geelong has been living on her own for 16 years now. She has always had an adventurous spirit and 14 months ago, she decided to purchase a ‘Banksia’ Horizon motorhome (which she has fondly nicknamed Fiona) and start traveling around the country with her cat, Polly. Since then she has clocked over 21,000kms, having just returned from Phillip Island and is already preparing for her next trip – 9 weeks in South Australia.
She admits that she is not a planner, and prefers to make quick decisions about where she will go. She loves the freedom of being able to choose and having a motorhome makes the process of getting on the road incredibly easy.
Nola told us that ‘Getting a motorhome and traveling solo has been one of the best decisions of my entire life…this beautiful country is a great big adventure and I can go almost anywhere I’d like.’
When asked if she had any advice for women, Nola said, “Never feel like you can’t go somewhere or do something just because you haven’t got someone with you…and never leave home without your coffee machine or a bottle of champagne.”
Joyce, 77, from Western Australia agrees that this is good advice. A good bottle of wine is absolutely essential after a long day of travel. She has been traveling in her Horizon Motorhomes ‘Banksia’ for nearly 4 years now, crossing the Nullarbor each time to get to the East Coast and even down to Tasmania. We caught up with Joyce while she was pulled over on the side of the road on a road trip through Nowra, NSW.
Joyce’s solo adventures started more than 30 years ago with a Landcruiser and 20 foot caravan, which surprised many people. She explained “Nowadays, it’s really common to see a woman traveling alone…it’s great to see such gutsy, strong, confident Australian women on the road – they are a breed of their own.”
Joyce has been to several amazing Australian destinations but, “being up North, parking in the outback with the kangaroos and country…it makes me realise how lucky I am. I simply just can’t wait for the day to begin.”
Joyce travels with her pet – a poodle named Amber Rose, and says that the key to successful road tripping is to do what you can to stay healthy.
“Eat your veggies, get plenty of sleep, go for walks and be careful not to push yourself too much on the road. Really make sure you take the time to stop and smell the roses along the way, to simply enjoy.”
Joyce has clocked close to 84,000kms in her ‘Banksia’ and told us that she looks forward to putting another couple hundred thousand kms on the clock before she considers getting another Horizon Motorhome.
“Come to think of it, I hope my age doesn’t run out before my vehicle does...gee, I sure don’t feel 77 years old”.
These women’s stories are like so many hundreds of thousands of others across the country. Their spirit is a testament to the women of their generation – determination, tenacity and independence.
Horizon Motorhomes was established in 1995. They are designed and manufactured in Ballina, Northern NSW. There are currently 8 models in the range, built into the Fiat Ducato and Mercedes Benz Sprinter base vehicles.
Horizon Motorhomes are sold exclusively by BCMC (Ballina Campervan & Motorhome Centre). For more information visit horizonmotorhomes.com.au, bcmc.com.au or phone (02) 6681 1555.
Sources:
*www.greynomads.com.au
**www.news.com.au
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For further information, to arrange interviews or photography please contact:
Claire Harding at Barefruit Marketing - 0449 949778 / claire@barefruit.com.au