The Roving Maguires
Introducing this wonderful family, The Roving Maguires.
Emigrating to Australia from Ireland in 2008, Jenny and Kev are making the most of everything Australia has to offer as they rove around Australia in their Coromal Appeal 647. Accompanying them are their children, Grace and Declán as well as their adorable pooches Madadh and Fianna.
The family had set up home on the coastal town of Bargara Queensland but they knew their travels were a long way from being finished. They were fortunate enough to pick up their caravan before covid sent the prices skyrocketing and for a year they stayed put and started to plan their lap, waiting for a gap in the nationwide lockdowns.
Then as soon as the opportunity came around they put their house up for rent, Kev quit his job in telecommunications and Jen took unpaid leave from her job in the government.
And just like that they were on the road, starting their 12 month lap of Australia!
The first 3 days was a mad dash from Bargara straight to the South Australian border. They covered 2,161 km’s to beat the border restrictions that were imminent! Ahhhhh covid times, don’t you just love them! As if that doesn’t sound stressful enough, they had a flat tyre on the second day in the NSW outback. No phone reception, no tyre shops to get a replacement and the border closure clock was ticking! After limping their way to Broken Hill where they found a tyre repair shop, they finally made it to the SA border with only hours to spare before the border was closed!
It may have been a bumpy start to their travels but it was totally worth it. Their travel photos will make you green with envy, from beautiful coastline to the rugged outback and their favourite spot so far? The Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, in particular Perlubie Beach.
It has been a learning curb for them but in my opinion they have mastered the art of travelling. Their top tip is having a large water bladder. It makes life a lot easier being able to leave the caravan where it is and taking the bladder in the car to be refilled. It also enables them to stay off grid for longer making the most of the abundant free camps Australia has to offer.
If they ever leave Darwin (after 7 weeks they are becoming locals) Their plan is to explore the whole of WA where they would love to go swimming with the Whale Sharks.
They still have so much to explore but already have learnt so much about themselves and their children.
Previously Kev was working away from home so the whole family have been enjoying spending more quality time together, watching the kids grow and trying new things. The kids are always outside playing, riding their bikes and fishing not sat inside on their devices.
And even for the grown ups it has been a real opener realising that they don’t need much to be happy.
As to be expected the kids miss their friends, the fuel prices are chewing up the budget like there’s no tomorrow and sometimes the weather is not what they expected.
But I don’t think that will be a problem for this laid back, positive, lovely family