DRIFTERS DOWNUNDER

Meet Caitlin

The best way to experience a place is to stay long enough that it begins to feel a little like home.

Caitlin and Benjamin enjoying a sunrise canoe paddle on a peaceful dam at Buranga Farm Hipcamp in regional Australia.
I’ve always loved early mornings, especially when they include a little adventure and Benjamin by my side.
Sunshine Coast, QLD🔗
Caitlin smiling while wearing a handmade necklace purchased from a local Australian market stall.
I love discovering handmade pieces with a story behind them. 🔗
Caitlin smiling at the summit of Mount Abrupt after completing the challenging hike in the Grampians National Park, Victoria.
The climb was tough, but the feeling of reaching the top makes every step worthwhile.
Mt Abrupt, Dunkeld🔗

Some of my favourite childhood memories are of camping with my family. I still remember coming home from school to find the car already packed, not knowing exactly where we were heading, only that an adventure was about to begin. Early morning departures before sunrise, campfire dinners, exploring creeks and bush tracks, and creating imaginary worlds in nature sparked something in me that never really disappeared.

As I grew older, these experiences evolved into a love of travel. Throughout my twenties I explored parts of Asia and South America but Japan was my home-away-from-home. Living there on and off for five years, Japan was much more than somewhere I visited. It challenged me, shaped me, introduced me to lifelong friends, and gave me a deeper appreciation for different cultures and ways of living.

Professionally, my path has never been a straight line. I’ve worked in the travel industry, leadership and management roles, built and ran my own cake decorating business for almost a decade, and now work remotely as an HR Business Partner. Looking back, every chapter has taught me something different, but they’ve all had one thing in common: people. Whether helping travellers, supporting teams, creating celebration cakes or now sharing stories through Drifters Downunder, I’ve always been drawn to understanding what makes people and places unique.

Caitlin photographing the view from the summit of Mount Abrupt in the Grampians National Park, Victoria.
Camera in hand, taking far more photos than I’ll ever need.
Mt Abrupt, Dunkeld🔗
Caitlin photographing the landscape near the base of Mount Sturgeon after completing the hiking loop in the Grampians National Park.
Exploring the gateway to the Southern Grampians
Mt Sturgeon, Dunkeld🔗
Caitlin standing at the Signal Peak walk-in campground overlooking the Northern Grampians National Park.
Curious about these hikes? Each of these photos links to my guide covering all three mountains.
Signal Peak, Dunkeld🔗

Long before Drifters Downunder existed, I found myself writing long emails home while travelling, taking far too many photos, chatting with locals and wanting to remember the little details that make a place feel special. Writing has become a natural extension of that curiosity.

Drifters Downunder grew from that same desire, to share the places, people and experiences that have stayed with me.

Today, Isaac, Benjamin and I are travelling Australia while balancing work, adventure and everyday life on the road. Rather than rushing from destination to destination, we prefer to stay awhile. Getting to know local communities, supporting regional businesses and discovering the stories that often go unnoticed.

For me, travel has never just been about seeing as much as possible.

It’s about understanding a place, connecting with the people who call it home, and collecting the stories that stay with you long after you’ve moved on.

I hope something we share inspires you to slow down, explore a little deeper, and discover just how much Australia has to offer.

Caitlin standing on a jetty overlooking the lake at the base of Hanging Rock in Victoria, with Hanging Rock in the background.
Visiting one of Australia’s most well-known rock formations.
Hanging Rock, VIC
Caitlin travelling in the passenger seat of a Prado with Benjamin climbing forward as they drive along the Tropical North Queensland coast towards Port Douglas and Mossman.
Benjamin has never been convinced that the back seat is where he belongs.
Caitlin relaxing with Benjamin on a hanging tree seat overlooking the Southern Grampians in Dunkeld, Victoria.
One of the best seats for taking in the Southern Grampians.
Dunkeld, VIC
Caitlin sitting beside the tranquil rock pools at Venus Baths in Halls Gap, Grampians National Park, Victoria.
Taking a quiet moment at Venus Baths.
Halls Gap, VIC
Caitlin sitting inside the pink Cloud Cave along the Mount Abrupt hiking trail in the Grampians National Park, Victoria.
Discoveries like this have come from simply asking the locals.
Dunkeld, VIC 🔗
Caitlin sitting on a rock at The Piccaninny (Bainggug) lookout overlooking Dunkeld and the surrounding farmland in the Grampians National Park, Victoria.
Taking in the views from The Piccaninny (Bainggug) lookout.
Dunkeld, VIC 🔗

A Few Things About Me

What makes you happiest?

Time outdoors with the people I love. It might be a sunrise hike, a day on the snow, a long lunch with family, baking something new, discovering a tiny country café or simply sitting by a fire with good food, good conversation and a glass of wine. For me there isn’t one perfect day, there are countless versions of one.

What’s one lesson travel has taught you?

Travel has taught me as much about myself as it has about the places I’ve visited. Every destination is different, every experience is personal, and things rarely go exactly as planned. Some places exceed your expectations, others surprise you in completely different ways. I’ve learnt that the best memories often come from embracing whatever the day brings.

What are you working on when you’re not travelling or working?

I rarely sit still for long. I love baking, cross stitch, board games, escape rooms, pickleball, singing, and I’m currently writing a children’s book series inspired by Benjamin’s adventures around Australia. I tend to dive wholeheartedly into whatever creative project has captured my attention.

Caitlin enjoying a glass of wine with Benjamin at her feet while waiting for woodfired pizzas at Blacksmith Providore, Lake Mulwala.
Patiently waiting for woodfired pizza… and enjoying a local wine while I do.
Lake Mulwala, VIC & NSW🔗
Caitlin painting a dragon sculpture carved from a tree root that was found on her family's property.
From cakes to canvases, creativity has always been a big part of who I am.
Caitlin on her bicycle with Benjamin riding in his BuddyRider dog bike seat before cycling the Smythesdale Rail Trail in Victoria.
Benjamin has his own seat for our cycling adventures. Smythesdale Gardens🔗
Caitlin playing pickleball at the Golden Plains Pickleball Club in regional Victoria.
Yet another hobbie I’ve picked up while travelling.
Golden Plains Pickleball
Caitlin holding a handmade ceramic vase filled with freshly picked flowers, purchased from a local market artisan.
Fresh flowers always make our camper feel a little more like home 🔗
Caitlin peeking through a fallen tree at the start of the Mount Sturgeon hiking trail in the Grampians National Park, Victoria.
Mount Sturgeon was the first of many adventures in the Grampians.
Dunkeld, VIC 🔗

What has surprised you most about life on the road?

How quickly it felt like home. While everyday tasks like laundry, water and power require more planning than they used to, life somehow feels simpler. More than anything, I’ve loved slowing down, spending time in regional communities and discovering that some of the best experiences come from staying a little longer.

Caitlin carrying a Thetford cassette toilet to the dump point while taking care of camper chores.
Not every travel photo is glamorous, someone has to do the domestic duties!
Smythesdale Gardens 🔗
Caitlin holding a shovel beside a bogged Prado with recovery boards under the wheel during an off-road recovery.
I like to think I was helping…
Lake Coonewarre, VIC
Caitlin standing on the dry riverbed at Devil's Kitchen in the Grampians National Park, Victoria, wearing a Drifters Downunder jumper.
Standing in awe of the incredible landscape at Devil’s Kitchen, VIC

The Next Chapter

If Drifters Downunder is where I share our travels, my Substack is where I share the reflections behind them.

It’s where I’ll be writing about creativity, life’s changing seasons, redefining success, slowing down, and the lessons I’ve learnt while intentionally building a life that feels more like my own.

I’m currently working on my first essays, and I’d love for you to be among the first to read them when they launch.

← READ MORE ABOUT US
be first to read caitlin’s corner →
Caitlin enjoying a vanilla malt thickshake and sweet treats at Temptations Café & Bar in Mossman, Queensland.
Always happy to support a great local café.
Mossman, QLD 🔗
An ecstatic Caitlin while holding a lamb and rosemary pie from JK's Delicatessen in Ingham, Queensland.
I get far too excited about finding a really good pie.
Ingham, QLD🔗
Caitlin reacting to a large breakfast burger at Anything Grows in Orange, New South Wales.
I wasn’t expecting the breakfast burger to be quite this big.
Orange, NSW🔗
Caitlin smiling in a selfie while wearing a new pair of earrings received as a Christmas gift.
My earring collection is always growing.
Caitlin enjoying baked brie with quince at Suffoir Winery, Brewery & Distillery in regional Victoria.
You had me at baked brie.
Henry Wine Region, VIC 🔗
Caitlin smiling in a selfie while wearing a new jumper from Country Meadows in Junee, received as a Christmas gift.
Isaac bought me this for Christmas… I may have helped with the selection. 🔗
Caitlin standing beside the Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales.
Checking out the Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool.
Kosciuszko National Park
Caitlin enjoying an afternoon at Arlo Wine Bar in Portarlington, Victoria.
One of my favourite wine bars in Victoria.
Portarlington, VIC🔗
Caitlin overlooking the waterway along the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool walking track in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales.
The walk to the thermal pool was just as beautiful as the destination.
Kosciuszko National Park
Caitlin standing outside the confectionery building at Sovereign Hill after watching a traditional confectionery demonstration.
Watching traditional confectionery being made was so much fun.
Ballarat, VIC 🔗
Caitlin enjoying a soft taco from Hungry Ossies at the Ballan Farmers Market in Victoria.
Quite possibly the best soft taco I’ve ever eaten.
Ballan, VIC 🔗
Caitlin visiting Pepo Farms, a producer of pumpkin seeds, oils and other local products in regional Victoria.
Our camper pantry is usually stocked with local finds like these.
Ovens, VIC 🔗

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Our blog is where we share our detailed guides, reviews and travel tips. On social media, you’ll find the day-to-day adventures, behind-the-scenes moments, local discoveries and plenty of Benjamin along the way.

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