Older Aussies Spending Their Kids' Inheritance

Morning Herald

Australia

July 25, 2008

Two-thirds of Aussies over 55 years of age are eager to hit the road for an extended trip around Australia.

It is a ritual which many have been following for many years. They're known as "grey nomads" and they are out on Australia's roads in their tens of thousands.

Largely Baby Boomers - those born between 1946 and the early 1960s - they're the age group most likely to plan a long journey around Australia.

According to new research from insurer Apia, almost half (49 per cent) would like to spend more than four months on the road, with one in five saying they will ideally travel for longer than six months.

The research shows that older Australians with children are twice as likely as those without to spend their kids' inheritance on a much-deserved Aussie adventure for themselves.

"Baby Boomers in particular look at their retirement years as a time to live life to the full and experience new things," Apia says.

Eighty per cent are likely to spend their kids' inheritance - the SKIN principle, Spending Kids' Inheritance Now - on travel.

After a life spent working and earning they are realising the great Australian dream of a driving holiday around the country even if it means leaving little for their children to inherit.

For some, too, the difficulties and cost of international travel - especially by air - have made travel at home even more appealing.

Research from Tourism Australia says that mature Aussie travellers prefer to take a driving holiday than fly. The reverse is true for young Australians who prefer to fly than drive.

Apia Executive Manager Geoff Keogh says that older Australians recognise the benefits of exploring their own backyard.

"Domestic travel offers significant advantages for older Australians, not least of which, is the ability to drive which can be done on a range of budget options," Keogh says.

"This mid-life extended road trip underpins the 'grey nomad' philosophy of living life to its full in retirement.

"Despite rising fuel prices, driving offers real cost benefits for these travellers and allows them the freedom and flexibility to explore new places at their leisure."

For retired Aussies looking to take an extended holiday, the size of Australia and wealth of experiences on offer is another clear advantage to domestic travel.

The caravan parks are their second homes and fellow travellers are their second families. They travel in caravans of all shapes and sizes - from converted old buses to luxurious vans.

They make the parks look like interstate used car and caravan lots. They bring everything to make their lives comfortable - the bar fridges, the televisions, the breadmakers, comfortable chairs.

And, of course, their fishing gear. Sometimes the pet budgie, too.

Ask any one of the grey nomads and you'll be told there's nothing like a caravan - or motorhome or campervan - and an endless stretch of bitumen for an ideal retirement lifestyle. They wouldn't swap it for anything.

And the best thing about travelling around Australia? They will usually say that it's the people they meet.

"We're also all about the same age and have the same interests," they point out.

There's nothing like a caravan park to gain a brace of instant best friends. You find your spot, unhitch your caravan, pull out a table and a couple of chairs. Open the fridge.

Soon you have your neighbours around for a drink and a chat. Where have you been? Where are you going? How do you find your rig (home on wheels)?

Then, of course, there's the incredible country they see - unspoilt beaches, magnificent mountains, gorges and, when it rains, towering waterfalls.

The most popular destinations mature travellers plan to visit on their Australian adventure are: The Kimberley (60 per cent); Tasmania (46 per cent); Cape York Peninsula (37 per cent); Great Barrier Reef (33 per cent); and Uluru (30 per cent).

"Nomads are stay-at-home patriots who want to visit the iconic sights spanning the country. They are proud of Australia and appreciate the immeasurable cultural experience they can enjoy exploring their own backyard," says Keogh.

It's also a great leveller. You'll find butchers and bakers and candlestick makers on the road.

"After all," said one veteran caravan park couple, "we all sit on the same (toilet) seats."

And on the road you're likely to get a cheery wave from the rig coming toward you.

But being on the road is not like it used to be. The rising cost of fuel is slowing many caravaners down: many are travelling less far and staying longer in the one spot.

Ray, 63, of Berowra Heights, NSW has been travelling for four years. And, yes, they are members of the SKIN club.

"I'll save a bit for them," says Ray of his children.

Of the cost of fuel, he said. "We're not travelling as much. The economy is a bit different from what it was 10 years ago."

Joe, 81, from Murchison, Victoria, has two boys and a girl.

"And, yes, we subscribe to the SKINS principle. I retired in 1983 and we've been right around Australia. The cost of fuel limits caravanning these days. We tend to do shorter trips, less often."

Derek, 71, and his wife Blanche, 71, of Hastings, Victoria, have two girls and six grandchildren.

They travel north every winter for three months.

"We did the big trip a few years ago when I retired. We sold the house and we had 4 years travelling around Australia - the best 4 years of our lives. There are now more grey nomads on the road than ever. But I think the cost of fuel is going to knock that.

"The fuel cost means that even if you go on a long trip you tend to stay in one place for longer to reduce the fuel bill. No, we don't subscribe to the SKIN principle - we just do it with our money. Whatever is left the kids will have."

John, 71, and his wife Dorothy, 67, of Inglewood, NSW, are permanent nomads and also are members of the SKINS club. They, too, think that grey nomads are limiting their travel because of rising fuel prices.

"We sold up our house in Tweed Heads and have been in our motorhome for four years travelling around Australia.

"Fuel is not so much a factor for us. When you start out you travel further and faster. Now we take more time. We stop to smell the roses. We pick the nicer spots and spend more time there. This saves on fuel," says John.

"We keep in touch with other grey nomads: where are you? Have you got a good spot? Good, we'll see you tomorrow," he adds.

The grey nomads say that the friendliness of the park people is a big attraction.

Colin, 67, of Mooroopna, Victoria, said there was a particular sense of community in caravan parks.

"In some ways it is an even closer community than you have in your own home. You are living closer together."

According to Cindy and Jeremy Gough in their book, The Grey Nomad's Guidebook, grey nomads take a ritual lap around Australia before finding an ideal spot to settle into retirement.

Choosing the right rig, according to the Goughs, is perhaps the most important decision you must make. The range is huge, from modest campertrailers, campervans, and slide-on campers, to motorhomes, fifth-wheelers and pop-top and regular caravans.

You also have the option of off-road rigs capable of taking you safely into the wildest and most remote country, although it is possible to travel right around Australia without ever leaving the bitumen.

The Goughs advise would-be caravaners to think carefully before making a purchase. What is our budget? Should we buy secondhand or new? What degree of luxury do we want in a rig? How long will we live in it? Will we want to go off-road? Do we want a bathroom in the rig or are we happy to use facilities at a caravan park? How will we feel driving or towing it?

Towing a caravan can be stressful, say the Goughs. It changes the dynamics of the towing vehicle and requires different driving skills from normal.

Make sure you have the right vehicle to do the towing and take the caravan out for a test drive before committing yourself.

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