Travel With Us A While - where Bron shares conversations with travellers by land, sea, air & beyond

Moving countries for a lifestyle & why bored kids thrive...

There’s something quietly inspiring about choosing a new country not just for opportunity… but for lifestyle. In this episode of Travel With Us A While, I chat with Ross — a UK-born teacher who made the move to Australia in 2020 with his young family. What began as a practical decision (yes, teacher salaries played a part!) has grown into a life filled with sunshine, caravanning adventures, and raising children who understand the joy of being outdoors. Ross now teaches in a special assistance school, working with students who don’t thrive in mainstream settings — a role that requires patience, flexibility, and heart. Both he and his wife, who works in disability support, are clearly passionate about making a difference. But it’s what happens beyond the classroom that really brings this story to life. From their base in Brisbane, the family hitches up their hybrid caravan and heads off to explore — north to Cairns and the reef, and south toward Hunter Valley. There are moments of uncertainty — like towing a caravan up a muddy hill after weeks of rain — but as Ross shares with a laugh, that’s all part of the adventure. What really stayed with me during our conversation was his approach to raising children. In a world where screens are often the easy option, Ross and his wife have chosen a different path. > “It’s okay to be bored… that’s where imagination begins.” Instead of defaulting to tablets, their girls are encouraged to explore, create, and engage with the world around them — whether that’s snorkelling for the first time off Great Keppel Island (and losing a wobbly tooth in the process!) or simply playing freely in nature. It’s a gentle reminder that travel doesn’t need to be extravagant to be meaningful. Sometimes, it’s the smallest moments — a campsite, shared laughter, or a simple day outdoors — that become the stories we carry with us. Ross also shares how becoming a parent has shifted his perspective. While he once believed there was no need to revisit places, he now sees travel through his children’s eyes — and that changes everything. Looking ahead, the family is preparing for their next chapter — gaining Australian citizenship, planning a cruise along the Queensland coast, and perhaps introducing their daughters to the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand. It’s not about ticking destinations off a list… It’s about creating a life filled with moments that matter. And really, isn’t that what travel is all about? Check out the blog I wrote using Ross' images https://bronhogan.com/from-the-uk-to-the-australian-outdoors-raising-adventurous-kids-one-road-trip-at-a-time/ [https://bronhogan.com/from-the-uk-to-the-australian-outdoors-raising-adventurous-kids-one-road-trip-at-a-time/]

Finding Adventure Close to Home, Camping, Photography & Hidden Gems with Kristie Brennan

This week on the Travel With Us A While podcast, I chat with photographer and adventurer Kristie Brennan — a woman who reminds us that adventure doesn’t always mean travelling far away. Sometimes it simply means having the courage to begin. Kristie shares stories of camping alone with her children, exploring hidden corners of Victoria, photographing the night sky, and discovering peace and healing in nature after difficult times in life. We talk about: * Why local people always know the best places * The magic of slowing down and really seeing where you are * Travelling on a budget * Raising adventurous children * Hidden gems around Victoria * The beauty of beaches and bushland at night * And why you should stop waiting for “someday” One of my favourite parts of our conversation was discussing how easy it is, as photographers, to become so busy capturing moments that we forget to actually experience them. A gentle reminder for all of us. Kristie also speaks about a hidden gems travel book she’s currently working on — and I have a feeling it’s going to inspire many people to get out and explore Australia a little more slowly and deeply. Check out the blog I wrote using her amazing images here: https://bronhogan.com/finding-yourself-between-the-stars-the-silence-with-kristie-brennan/ [https://bronhogan.com/finding-yourself-between-the-stars-the-silence-with-kristie-brennan/]

They sold everything & just went. Simply a shared dream, a vehicle, & the open road.

This week’s podcast conversation is one that really stayed with me. I spoke with Rob and Ange — a couple who, about three years ago, did something many of us dream about… they sold everything and hit the road. No perfect timing. No perfect plan. Just a shared belief that life was meant to be lived now, not later. Since then, they’ve travelled all over Australia, worked along the way, met incredible people, and created a life that feels both simple and deeply fulfilling. What I loved most about our conversation was their honesty. They spoke about the fear at the beginning. Discovering the joy of slowing down & the realisation that you don’t need as much as you think to live a rich and meaningful life. Their advice? Don’t wait. You’ll never have the perfect amount of money or the perfect moment. Just go. If you’ve ever found yourself saying “one day”… this episode might just give you the nudge you need. Listen in now & travel with us a while. Bron Link to see photos of their setup - Ange's amazing videos on cooking whilst on the road plus much more can be found here:

In this episode, Tim shares how being last taught him how to lead…

This week’s podcast episode is one that stayed with me long after we finished recording. I had the pleasure of chatting with Tim Dobson — a hiker, climber and caver from the UK — & what unfolded was not just a conversation about adventure… but about people. About being the slowest on the mountain… About making mistakes (some quite big ones!) & about how those experiences shape the way we show up for others. One line in particular has stayed with me: “People don’t remember your map reading… they remember how you made them feel.” Isn’t that the truth? There’s humour in this episode, honesty, & some very real lessons — the kind we often only learn the hard way. I think you’ll enjoy this one. Pop the kettle on, get comfortable & travel with us a while. Check out the blog with links to the podcast, his mother's award winning reel and more. https://bronhogan.com/tim-dobson-not-the-slowest-walker-on-the-mountain-anymore/ [https://bronhogan.com/tim-dobson-not-the-slowest-walker-on-the-mountain-anymore/]

The Day Everything Changed… and the Life That Followed

Some stories change the way you see the world. In this episode of Travel With Us a While, I sit down with Rick Scammell — a man whose life changed in an instant during a dirt bike accident on a remote beach in North Queensland. What followed could have been the end of everything he loved. Instead… it became the beginning of something else. Rick shares his journey from that life-altering moment in 2019 through to where he is today — living as a T4 paraplegic, raising a young family, and continuing to embrace adventure in ways that are as inspiring as they are real. This is not just a story about survival. It’s about resilience. Adaptation. And the quiet determination to keep going — even when life looks nothing like it once did. From bush tracks to water skiing, Rick proves that life doesn’t stop. It simply finds a new way forward. If you’ve ever wondered how someone rebuilds their life after everything changes… this conversation is for you. Check out the blog I wrote using his story and images https://bronhogan.com/rick-scammell-the-day-everything-changed-the-life-that-followed/ [https://bronhogan.com/rick-scammell-the-day-everything-changed-the-life-that-followed/]