After working all their lives and raising three children, Bruce and Linda Woodbine retired to Opal by Living Gems over-50s lifestyle resort seven years ago, bought a caravan and started travelling, and they haven’t looked back since.

“One of the reasons we moved to Opal was for the security, which allows us to lock up and hit the road on our many adventures whenever we want without having to worry about our home,” said Bruce.

The couple have seen some amazing sights and experienced so much since they began travelling, taking up to two trips each year including one 24,000km roadtrip around Australia.

“We have a great caravan with everything you could want including a bathroom, and it’s been a fabulous home away from home. We mainly stay in caravan parks but have also enjoyed free camping, especially when we have travelled up north,” said Bruce.

Both agree it is the freedom and ability to stop wherever and whenever they like that makes them love travel so much.

“You are never alone on the road either. Often you might stop at a camping ground or beside a river somewhere and before too long there could be ten or twenty others pulling up to join you. We like the company because it makes us feel safer.”

Linda said each destination or country town also has something unique and interesting to offer with Barn Hill Station on the Kimberley coastline one of their favourites.

“It is one of the few beef cattle stations in the Kimberley that is still family owned and operated and borders the beautiful Indian Ocean.

The beach is covered with beautiful shells and the station owners put on specialty nights that feature Aboriginal dancers and so much more. We loved it there!”

On a trip to Bourke in NSW, the couple also drove 25km to nearby Silverton.

“It was there that we bought one of the world’s best pies which was made in the old-fashioned way with a full base and simply delicious filling. We went back the next day to buy another one only to find they were closed on Mondays. We were so disappointed.”

Lake Argyle was another big hit with the travellers who said it was bigger and better than anything they could have expected, and a dinner cruise proved the ultimate experience.

“There are so many wonderful destinations, but it is not until you actually see it for yourself that you are able to appreciate its magnificence truly,” said Linda.

Bruce and Linda have a name for all the people they meet along the way on their journeys.

“We call them our 24-hour friends because we have a fabulous time and then we rarely see them again,” said Linda.

The couple say that retirement and being within such a secure and friendly community like Opal by Living Gems, has given them the freedom to see Australia in the best way possible and they are loving it!