@chappystravels
Meet @chappystravels
Meet Arthur Chapman ‘Chappy’, his wife Alison, and their Cavoodle service dog (also named Chappy) for their full time retiree adventures. As long-time cruisers, they never imagined they’d swap the seas for a caravan, let alone document their journey on social media.
Before their journey began, Arthur’s kids taught him how to use YouTube and TikTok, to create a visual diary to share their travels. What started as a way to stay connected with family has grown into Chappy’s Travels; a heart warming glimpse into life on the road.
Their Home on Wheels? The SRC-21
The purchase of our van was the easiest sell in the world. During COVID we did research for 2 years like you wouldn’t believe into 12 different brands. We had gone to 3 or 4 caravan shows and at the Penrith Show we saw Snowy and paid the deposit that day!
We fell in love with it, it was in our budget, had a beautiful interior that made us go ‘wow’ and I was also very happy with the torsion suspension. Being in the military, those vehicle all used torsion suspension and I know how reliable they are.
What travel destinations would you always go back to?
As for travel destinations, it's hard to pick just a few! We've absolutely adored the Townsville Region in far north QLD, the wheat belt and gold fields of WA, and the Darwin region in the NT. The central western plains and Riverina in NSW, as well as the Northwest of Victoria, has also captured our hearts. Honestly, Australia is a treasure trove of stunning locations and there are so many places we haven't yet explored. We're eager to see them all!
What have you learnt on the road being a first time traveller?
Being first-time caravanners has taught us that simplicity is key. Keeping things uncomplicated has made our adventures more enjoyable and stress-free. It's been a fantastic learning experience that has enriched our journey.
Why did you decide to travel full-time?
We decided to go full-time on the road because, despite having super busy lives even in early retirement with numerous community commitments, we realised we had no time for each other. We had a nice house, a great location, and a chilled life, but it was becoming rather mundane. We craved adventure before we could no longer chase our dreams, and thus, full-time caravanning became the perfect solution. Alison still flies back to see the grandchildren every three months or so from wherever we are, and we make sure to catch up for special occasions. To the grandchildren, their memories will be of their grandparents' adventures.