We were initially disappointed after the Western Australian state borders closed due to COVID and we were instructed to stay at home. Due to a fairly stubborn politician, our geographical isolation, and some luck, Western Australia has now enjoyed over six months of no coronavirus community transmission, and we have had the freedom to roam within the state with minimal restrictions. The situation has forced us to look locally for places to visit, and we have re-discovered the joy of the road trip.
So, with three restless children cramped in a car for hours on end, there are of course challenges, but over time we have developed methods of staying sane starting with keeping the kids entertained.
Firstly, and we believe most importantly, we make sure the driving days are not too long. We stop and change drivers regularly, and encourage the kids to get out for a stretch wherever we are. If there is anything to stop and see we usually do. We have been known to take a week to get to a destination which others drive in one long day, some think we are crazy!
To keep the kids entertained, we have a long-established tradition of playing eye-spy, car number plate games and ‘would you rather’ questions. As these get stale, we switch to audiobooks or podcasts. The key is finding the right material that suits all ages. We always start with these, and later in the day, some screen time is usually a reward for being well behaved.
It might sound like a cliché, but we are strong believers that it’s about the journey, not the destination. And recently, we have had some ripper journeys.
Recent Blogs
Karijini’s Gorgeous Gorges
The spectacular Karijini National Park is in our home state, but still a long way away.
Mount Hawthorn Street Art
Talk about exploring locally. Right in our home suburb are some amazing street artworks.
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”
– Henry Miller.
Flashback Photo!
Thanks for following This Travel Life as we reflect on our adventures around the world. Drop us a line to make a comment, suggestion or ask a question. Check out and follow our social channels.
Rob & Clare
This article was first created as a newsletter for followers of this blog. If you have not already, please subscribe and receive updates from This Travel Life and have access to all our freebies. See more newsletters.