Moving countries for a lifestyle & why bored kids thrive...

There’s something quietly inspiring about choosing a new country not just for opportunity… but for lifestyle.In this episode of Travel With Us A While, I chat with Ross — a UK-born teacher who made the move to Australia in 2020 with his young family. What began as a practical decision (yes, teacher salaries played a part!) has grown into a life filled with sunshine, caravanning adventures, and raising children who understand the joy of being outdoors.Ross now teaches in a special assistance school, working with students who don’t thrive in mainstream settings — a role that requires patience, flexibility, and heart. Both he and his wife, who works in disability support, are clearly passionate about making a difference.But it’s what happens beyond the classroom that really brings this story to life.From their base in Brisbane, the family hitches up their hybrid caravan and heads off to explore — north to Cairns and the reef, and south toward Hunter Valley.There are moments of uncertainty — like towing a caravan up a muddy hill after weeks of rain — but as Ross shares with a laugh, that’s all part of the adventure.What really stayed with me during our conversation was his approach to raising children.In a world where screens are often the easy option, Ross and his wife have chosen a different path.“It’s okay to be bored… that’s where imagination begins.”Instead of defaulting to tablets, their girls are encouraged to explore, create, and engage with the world around them — whether that’s snorkelling for the first time off Great Keppel Island (and losing a wobbly tooth in the process!) or simply playing freely in nature.It’s a gentle reminder that travel doesn’t need to be extravagant to be meaningful. Sometimes, it’s the smallest moments — a campsite, shared laughter, or a simple day outdoors — that become the stories we carry with us.Ross also shares how becoming a parent has shifted his perspective. While he once believed there was no need to revisit places, he now sees travel through his children’s eyes — and that changes everything.Looking ahead, the family is preparing for their next chapter — gaining Australian citizenship, planning a cruise along the Queensland coast, and perhaps introducing their daughters to the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand.It’s not about ticking destinations off a list…It’s about creating a life filled with moments that matter.And really, isn’t that what travel is all about?Check out the blog I wrote using Ross' images https://bronhogan.com/from-the-uk-to-the-australian-outdoors-raising-adventurous-kids-one-road-trip-at-a-time/