Meet Katherine (Kat) Sobczyk, a mum of three who swapped shift work and suburbia for a life of freedom, family and adventure on the open road. What began as a one-year escape has turned into a two-and-a-half-year journey across Australia, filled with challenges, lessons and countless memories. Kat’s story is one of courage, connection and the reminder that sometimes, the best decision you can make is to just go.
Growing up in the Perth Hills, Kat spent her childhood surrounded by space, adventure and a mum who modelled resilience. When Kat’s father passed away suddenly, her mother, widowed at just 41, raised three kids on her own. Despite the heartbreak, she made sure life was still filled with joy and discovery.
“I remember her taking us camping, six kids in total when you added a friend each, all in a tent! What a mission,” Kat laughs. Those trips planted the seeds of adventure early, showing her that the best memories often come from the simplest experiences.
Before hitting the road, life looked much like that of many young families: busy, exhausting and full of love but little time to connect. Kat was working shift work as an Ambulance Paramedic, while her husband worked Monday to Friday. “Life was good, but I was feeling burnt out. The job had so many perks, but missing birthdays and Christmases when you have little ones at home is hard,” she shares.
The idea of travelling Australia had always been on the horizon, a dream waiting for the right moment. With their caravan and car already paid off, and a few properties to draw from, Kat and her husband knew they could make it happen if they were brave enough to take the leap. What started as a plan for a 12-month trip has now stretched into two and a half years and counting.
The final push came after a difficult shift and the sudden loss of a colleague. “It really hit home that life is short. We realised we couldn’t keep waiting for the perfect time. We needed to make the most of life while we could.” The family began preparing to rent out their home, and before long, they were on the road. With a lot of packing and a little bit of chaos, they set off, determined to see what life beyond the daily grind could look like.
Organisation became key, but spontaneity quickly became their way of life. “In two and a half years, I can count on one hand how many things we’ve actually booked. Everything else has been a surprise, which is fun most of the time,” Kat says. Mornings start slowly with eggs or pancakes outside, sometimes with million-dollar views, other times overlooking a toilet block. The days that follow might include exploring, travel, schoolwork or tracking down essentials like water, groceries or a dump point. Evenings are spent together under the awning, sharing dinner and stories, sometimes with other travelling families and sometimes just the five of them.
The couple’s three children took to life on the road easily. Having not yet started school, the transition felt natural. “They didn’t even need an adjustment period. Sleeping all in one area was a bit of a zoo though,” Kat laughs. What surprised her most was how much her children have grown in confidence and independence. “They’re super flexible, which I didn’t expect. We had three babies in 17 months, so at home we thrived on routine. It turns out you can have zero routine and still thrive. We are their stability.”
Of course, life on the road isn’t without its challenges. Finances have been tricky to juggle, and jobs that tick all the boxes can be hard to find. There have been car troubles, medical emergencies and days where the weather makes living in a caravan feel impossible. “When it’s windy or raining, it can be so challenging,” Kat admits. “Organisation has been a lifesaver. I always know where things are and when we’ll need them, and changing the layout of our van to give the kids their own space has been sanity-saving.”
Despite the hurdles, the rewards have far outweighed them. Kat says the experience has reshaped their outlook on life. “We’ve definitely learnt to slow down. We don’t need as much as we thought we did, and our priorities have completely changed. We sold our beautiful big family home with its matching big mortgage and bought a very modest property that we’ll one day call home. We haven’t actually viewed it yet, so we might change our minds,” she jokes.
These days, Kat and her family also share their adventures with an ever-growing online community through their Instagram page, capturing both the beauty and the chaos of life on the road. From breathtaking coastal campsites to muddy roadside repairs, their posts show the real side of full-time travel with kids, not just the picture-perfect moments.
For Kat, the biggest lesson has been simple: to slow down and be present. “Before, we lived such adrenaline-filled lives. Now we know that we don’t have to stay in a job that doesn’t give us the right balance between work and home. We just want to be more available and enjoy the journey.”
Her advice for other families thinking about doing the same is practical and honest. “Get your finances in order before you go, otherwise it can be very stressful. Be prepared for terrible days too; gastro in a caravan, tantrums in a caravan, car troubles and missing friends and family. But it’s worth it.”
Today, the family is pulled up outside a property they recently purchased, flipping a house and meeting a tight deadline before their next caravan booking. “We’re rolling a bit of a turd in glitter,” Kat laughs. “We’re hoping we can get it done quickly because we’re keen to get back on the road.”
As for whether they’ll ever settle down permanently, she’s not sure. “One day, maybe. I’m sure we’ll know when it’s time.”
Looking back, Kat can only smile at the unexpected twists, the friendships made along the way and the countless stories collected from every corner of the country. From flat tyres on the Nullarbor to chance reunions with fellow travellers on opposite sides of Australia, her family’s journey is proof that sometimes, the best adventures begin when you finally decide to go.
You can follow Kat and her family’s adventures on Instagram at @retreatingintothesunshine, where they share their travels, lessons and laughter from life on the road.