Shania and Kade’s Bold Move to Full Time Travel To Escape The Everyday

Thinking of working and full time travel around Australia?

What happens when you’re juggling wedding plans, rising interest rates, and a deep craving for more freedom?

For Shania and Kade, the answer was simple, but bold: sell the house and hit the road for work and full time travel.

In this episode of Big Lap Chats, the couple behind Escape the Everyday share how they made the life-changing decision to leave behind suburbia and swap it for a Silverado, a 22-foot caravan, and an open-ended adventure around Australia.

From mechanical mishaps to managing a reactive dog on the road, their story is a refreshingly honest look at what full-time travel really involves, and why they’d still choose it all over again.

Ditching the Mortgage for Full Time Travel

Shania and Kade's journey started like many others, trapped in a cycle of full-time work, minimal time off, and a growing sense that life was passing them by. “We were just working, working, working,” they recalled.

The turning point came as their fixed-rate mortgage was about to end, right in the middle of wedding plans. Rather than compromise on a honeymoon or stretch themselves even thinner financially, Shania floated an idea: what if we sold the house and travelled full-time instead?

Just a month before their wedding, they sold up, moved their belongings into their parents’ homes, and never looked back.

That decision didn’t come lightly. They weighed up renting the house out or selling but ultimately decided they didn’t want the stress of tenants, maintenance, or mortgage repayments while on the road.

The housing market was still hot, and selling freed them from debt. “You feel so free when you don’t have any debt and you travel,” they shared. It's a sentiment that resonates deeply with many Big Lap dreamers stuck in analysis paralysis.

Why Full-Time Travel Doesn’t Mean You Stop Working

Despite the romanticism of the road, Shania and Kade are the first to admit they’re not your typical full-time travellers. Instead, they prefer a balance, three months on the road, three months working.

Kade is a diesel mechanic (with a soft spot for Chevy Silverados) and often picks up truck driving or mobile mechanic work. Shania is a nurse specialising in emergency care, now working on contract as they travel. Their flexible careers mean they can work just about anywhere, which not only funds their travels but gives them a mental reset between exploring.

“We’ve realised we’re not full-time travellers in the traditional sense. We like to be doing something every day,” they said. That mix of movement and work helps them avoid burnout and makes the next travel stint even sweeter.

Expectation vs. Reality: How Crowds Nearly Ruined the Dream

One of the biggest takeaways from Shania and Kade’s travels? The overwhelming reality of how busy some parts of Australia can be, especially in peak season.

Take the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia, for example. Shania had dreamed about visiting for over 10 years, only to arrive and find it completely packed. “There were 50 or 60 campsites, all full,” she said. The sheer volume of travellers, even in more remote areas, was a shock. But instead of letting it ruin their trip, they adjusted their mindset, realising that if a place is hyped online, of course others will want to experience it too.

That said, they’ve also learned how to find hidden gems away from the crowds...

Money-Saving Hacks That Actually Work

If you’re wondering how they make it all sustainable, Shania and Kade shared three of their most effective cost-saving and budgeting tips:

1. Fuel Finder Apps: With a big rig like theirs, saving 20c per litre can mean saving $100 or more in a single fill-up.
2. Bulk Grocery Shopping: Buying in bulk reduces wasteful spending and limits temptation to splurge on unnecessary snacks.
3. Go Off-Grid: A proper off-grid setup (extra solar, water tanks, and a decent battery system) means they can avoid pricey caravan parks and stay in beautiful free camps for $0 a night. “That’s $350+ a week back in your pocket,” Kade said.

They also suggest investing upfront in your van, adding that extra solar panel or water tank might cost a bit more now, but it pays for itself in freedom and savings on the road.

What No One Tells You About Life on the Road

While social media might paint a picture of sunsets and serenity, Shania and Kade are refreshingly honest about the not-so-glamorous side of travelling.

“The biggest myth? That every day is a good day,” they said. “Some days are hard. Some days are just like normal life, stuff goes wrong.”

They shared a harrowing story of losing a wheel off their caravan just 500 km after a professional service. The culprit? Loose wheel nuts. The takeaway? Never assume your rig is perfect just because it came from a service. They now carry a tension wrench and do their own pre-travel checks.

From checking tyres for cracks to looking over suspension and wiring after corrugated roads, Kade says preventative maintenance is what keeps you out of trouble, and avoids costly repairs far from help.

Travelling with a Dog? Here's the Real Deal

The couple also travel with their dog, Millie. While she’s a sweetheart with people, other dogs can be a challenge. They’ve had to be hyper-aware of where they stay, make sure parks are dog-friendly, and always keep her on a lead or muzzled in public to keep everyone safe, including Millie herself.

But they wouldn’t travel without her. They’ve trained her to be comfortable alone in the caravan with air-con and water, which means they can still enjoy some national parks and boat tours when needed.

“It’s a challenge, but it’s worth it,” Shania said. “She’s part of our family.”

Their Final Advice? You’ve Just Got to Do It

When asked what they’d say to anyone sitting on the fence about travelling full-time, their answer was simple: “Everything is possible. You’ve just got to make it possible for yourself.”

Whether that means selling the house, picking up work on the road, or finding the courage to step into the unknown it all comes down to believing it’s possible and taking the leap.

Loved This Chat? There’s More Where That Came From

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Inside the BLC Crew Membership, you’ll get the full uncut version of this episode, including Shania and Kade’s favourite free camps and the real behind-the-scenes logistics of life on the road.

When you join the BLC Crew, you don’t just get bonus content you get:

• Real-world advice from people actually doing the lap
• Behind-the-scenes interviews and extended cuts
• Exclusive free camp tips
• A private community where no question is a “silly question”
• Direct access to Annette and other seasoned travellers

You wouldn’t wing a $50K trip, would you? Get the guidance, support, and insider knowledge that can save you thousands—and make your Big Lap unforgettable for all the right reasons.

👉 Join the BLC Crew now

Follow Shania and Kade’s adventures over at @escapetheeveryday_ on Instagram, and remember to subscribe to Big Lap Chats on your favourite podcast app for more real, raw, and ridiculously helpful stories from travellers just like you.