Traveling Australia in a Campervan: A dream for many around the world. Jess and Sam (
@tailsdownunder) quit their jobs, took their dogs Harley and Clooney and made their dream come true. Arctic Sammy is helping them out by providing all the gear they need for the dogs to ensure they have the best time possible! Read about their adventures, their best moments on the road, challenges and learn some awesome tips and tricks around traveling with your furry friends.
"A little over a year ago Sam and I made a bold decision: we’d leave our jobs behind and trade it in for the very unpredictable life of adventure". The couple started planning their dream road trip around Australia, and the more they talked about it, the more they knew it was the right move. They weren’t just looking for a break from work; It was freedom they needed. Embracing life on the road and giving their dogs the adventure of a lifetime? Yes please!
After saving for a year, they finally packed up, hit the road, and began living their dream. The freedom of the open road has been everything they hoped for—and more. From hiking gorges to climbing mountains, they embrace life on the move. Harley and Clooney (the once called "cafe dogs") have fully transformed into true little explorers and loving every step of the way.
"If we can be completely transparent.. we didn’t plan anything!" The direction was south from where the couple started (Brisbane). The goal is to do a full lap of Australia, "but we’re mostly looking forward to Western Australia where I think we will spend a lot of time. For the most part we usually have 1 week ahead booked in the direction we’re headed". But staying flexible and being open for the classic "change of plans" has been their way of life on the road.
Of course, life on the road needs a bit of planning before you can take off. So we wanted to know more about their travels and put together our top 5 questions:
#1 How do you finance your trip around Australia while you are on the road?
"With only one year to save before our leaving date, Sam and I both had full time trades in which we worked and worked and worked saving as much money as possible and giving up small luxuries in our everyday life. Whilst on the Road I (Jess) have been supplying haircuts to fellow travellers & working part time doing data entry for a friend's online business. Sam is looking into new avenues of income and doing casual jobs through his electrical experience".
#2 Which are your most valuable dog gear products you would recommend to everyone traveling with their dogs in a campervan?
"When camping and living full time on the road I'd say that the
Basecamp zip line has been the most beneficial to us. Ensuring that our pups have a secure place to wait while we complete our set up in our new camp and don't get restless being restricted to one area & tangled up with each other has been a lifesaver. Second would definitely be the
Adventure Harnesses - purely due to the super accessible handle! We would not survive without this product as living on the road has us constantly in the ocean doing water activities and loads of hiking. So pulling the dogs up onto paddle boards or up over large rocks or difficult pathways is a constant."
#3 Let's talk Aussie wildlife :). How did you prepare your dogs against the spiders and snakes? How do you keep them safe while exploring the outback?
"When travelling with dogs I would say that a lot of the responsibility of keeping them safe is up to you. In Australia, wildlife can be a pretty stressful addition to travelling. Snakes, spiders, ticks and baiting are the biggest threats. A solid recall would be the most important thing to learn before leaving as that could truly save your dog's life. We take care of tick prevention and tick collars (checking over their coats/ in their ears after walks for ticks and bites). When we are going on walks/ hikes we keep the boys in sight and are weary of their surroundings. The last precaution we will take is for the baiting, as it is quite a big thing here and sadly takes lives. We will be introducing soft muzzles soon, which we have already taught and practised in the past. These will allow the boys to still drink water but keep them safe from picking up anything dangerous in high risk areas.
#4 What's the biggest challenge traveling with dogs?
"The research. I would say finding places that you can (or can't) take your dogs would be the hardest thing. Apps like wiki camps help a lot to find places that allow dogs. We do some research in all areas we are travelling to and what activities are available to dogs. Keep in mind that main attractions as well as national parks and tourist activities usually don't allow dogs. If you really want to see those places, we suggest to find good dog sitters or day care centers to look after the dogs. Or meeting cool friends on the road that you can trade dog sitting day by day for worked well for us too :)"
#5 What was the best adventure during your trip so far?
Our favourite place is The Blue Mountains! That place is truly just incredible! It was the first national park that has state reserves intertwined, allows dogs and had so many trails available! We were able to do anything from climbing cliff sides with waterfalls & really put our Arctic Sammy gear to the test (which it totally cleared btw) all whilst being immersed in beautiful forestry. For us this was such a cool experience that we’re totally planning on going back for."
"We’re lucky to call this our lifestyle, and we’re excited for what’s ahead. Life on the road isn’t without its challenges (especially when travelling with dogs) so we made sure we had all the right gear for our boys comfort and safety—including
harnesses and durable
leashes. (From arctic sammy of course!) Having the right equipment has made all the difference in keeping them comfortable and happy.
To anyone dreaming of hitting the road with their pups, we say: go for it. Life’s too short to stay still, and the world’s too beautiful not to explore with your fluffy best friend."
Follow Tails Down Under on Social and Youtube and see more of their wonderful adventures:
