We are the Ross Family. Dion, Janelle (me), Britney (turns 11 this year)and Lachlan (turns 9 this year). We currently live on the Sunshine Coast. We have often thought about travelling around Australia and talked about it often as one of those things to do.

After we relocated back to QLD in July 2008 we thought that plan would never happen but it was after seeing the Power family on the TODAY show talking about their 4 month trip that we began thinking and talking more seriously, realising we could do a 6 month trip and still see a bit of Australia.

As Dion has been with the same company for almost 10 years we began investigating the possibility of taking his Long Service Leave at half pay giving us double the time. In November last year we raised the issue with his work and found out he could use his accrued leave and extended long service leave together which would allow us 30 weeks away. They then gave us the go ahead and after a couple of weeks of shock we bagan to make plans.

We  bought a Jayco Outback Eagle from a wonderful family in Canberra and then bought a second-hand Pajero NL which would be our  home away from home for the trip. We picked the van up in January and had a 2 night trial run on the way home. This made us realise that the Jayco would suit us perfectly for the trip. We have had a couple of other  trips which has reinforced that the set up we have will do well.  Dion has made drawers for the rear of the Pajero with a fridge slide for the ENGEL with a dual battery system.

We plan to leave in late June and return in Mid January 2011 to allow time to get the children organised to return to school. Hopefully by then we will be ready to return to normality (whatever that will be!)