The youngest couple in a 12-month campervan relay around Australia have hit Katherine.
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Having moved from Wollongong, Sydney to the Top End recently, Ellen Amy and Les Regan, both 24, are the latest relay participants to pick up the Winnebago keys and continue the journey.
Follow the Sun relay began on Saturday, June 9, at the Queensland Caravan Camping and Touring Supershow in Brisbane, where the first explorers began the trip.
The Winnebago has slowly been making its way around Australia, swapping out families, grey nomads, and travellers along the way.
Newly engaged, the NT couple jumped at the chance to drive the 1,500km leg from Alice Springs To Darwin.
They have just three weeks to make unforgettable outback memories before the Winnebago is handed to the next road-trippers.
It is also a chance for the couple to prepare for the real deal.
The goal is to buy their own campervan and hit the road, grey nomad style, for as long as possible.
Ms Amy, a professional musician who has performed on the Gympie Music Muster main stage and at the Sydney Country Music Festival said they are both enjoying the simple life which goes hand-in-hand with campervan travelling.
“We both wanted to do the grey nomad thing, but at an age where you can still get out and do things,” she said.
“We love the outback, we love fishing and camping and the freedom to just travel where ever, so this relay was something we were very keen to do.”
The couple had been working in Mataranka and Katherine when the opportunity arose, and before that they were living south of Sydney, caught up in the rat race.
They dropped everything to move to the Top End earlier in the year and they think other young people should follow suit.
“It is a simpler way of living,” Mr Regan said.
“People are too afraid to take the leap and do something different.
“We had good jobs back home but we quit to live a quieter lifestyle.
“Life is better on the road,” he said.
The unique journey was initiated by Dometic, Caravan Industry Association of Australia and Winnebago Australia to showcase Australia and the beauty of caravan and camping holidays.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont said the relay was a great chance to explore Australia.
“Participants will be given the keys to the campervan and asked to share stories, videos, photos and fun moments from their trip,” he said.
“They will travel all around the country and really show people some of the amazing things they can experience on a caravan and camping holiday.”