Australian mum reveals why she quit her office job to travel

Evie Farrell packed her entire life up two years ago, quitting her job and setting off to travel around Asia for a year with her eight-year-old daughter, Emmie.

Two-and-a-half years later, the duo have returned to the motherland with a new perspective and a wealth of life-changing experiences under their belts.

The pair caught the travel bug and far exceeded the the time they intended to stay away, with Ms Farrell saying it was cheaper to holiday than continue living in Sydney.

Evie Farrell (right) packed her entire life up two years ago, quitting her job and setting off to travel around Asia for a year with her eight-year-old daughter, Emmie (left)

Two-and-a-half years later, the duo have returned to the motherland with a new perspective and a wealth of life-changing experiences under their belts (pictured together)

Two-and-a-half years later, the duo have returned to the motherland with a new perspective and a wealth of life-changing experiences under their belts (pictured together)

‘People always ask if we’re rich or if we won lotto — they want to know how we could afford to travel for so long — but it’s cheaper to travel than to be at home,’ she told news.com.au.

Through renting out her home, selling belongings and doing freelance work, the single mother said she was easily able to maintain a comfortable living overseas.

Not only did she have a healthy savings account, she said the cost of accommodation, travel and food was far more affordable than she expected.

Recently she spent a whopping $42 on breakfast in Sydney – an amount she said would have gotten the family through an entire day while they were travelling.  

The pair caught the travel bug and far exceeded the the time they intended to stay away, with Ms Farrell saying it was cheaper to holiday than continue living in Sydney (pictured together)

The pair caught the travel bug and far exceeded the the time they intended to stay away, with Ms Farrell saying it was cheaper to holiday than continue living in Sydney (pictured together)

Ms Farrell (right) from Sydney, packed up her life last February and set off travelling around the world with her daughter (left)

Ms Farrell (right) from Sydney, packed up her life last February and set off travelling around the world with her daughter (left)

‘I think a lot of it comes down to perception. People think travelling is so expensive, but it’s not,’ she said.

They stayed in a ‘beautiful guesthouse’ with gardens, pools and breakfast included for $27 a night in Vietnam where Ms Farrell said she would spend about $40 a day.

‘It just depends on what you do — if you go out for dinner you can’t eat $50 worth of food in Vietnam and everything is good and fresh.’

Now back in Sydney for the benefit of Emmie’s education, Ms Farrell said her purpose was no longer to ‘earn money’ but rather to ‘enjoy life’.

Ms Farrell spoke to FEMAIL about their first year away from home, what they've learned - and why after one year the pair still have no plans to come home (both pictured)

Ms Farrell spoke to FEMAIL about their first year away from home, what they’ve learned – and why after one year the pair still have no plans to come home (both pictured)

The duo hope to continue living out their travel dreams and shoot off for about four months – during winter – each year.

An average inner-Sydney lifestyle costs about $185.24 a day, according to travel company Luxury Escapes, and about $67,614 per year based on housing, utilities, transport and other expenses.

A little over half that amount would pay for a year in Malaysia at the Doubletree resort including breakfast, dinner and cocktails.

A huge 56 resorts across the globe would set someone back less than the average cost of a year in Sydney. 

A year into their travel Ms Farrell and her daughter had churned through the $20,000 of savings, but were still managing fine on rent from their home.

‘My savings have all but gone, but we’re lucky as we still have rent coming in from our home in Australia, so that’s keeping our heads just above water,’ she told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 

Originally, Ms Farrell said her intention was just to travel for a year, but as their year comes to its completion, she said they have decided to go on for at least another six months

Originally, Ms Farrell said her intention was just to travel for a year, but as their year comes to its completion, she said they have decided to go on for at least another six months

The pair spent Christmas in China (pictured), where Ms Farrell said they ate local xiaolongbao (Chinese soup dumplings)

The pair spent Christmas in China (pictured), where Ms Farrell said they ate local xiaolongbao (Chinese soup dumplings)

'My savings have all but gone, but we're lucky as we still have rent coming in from our home in Australia, so that's keeping our heads just above water,' Ms Farrell said of the trip

‘My savings have all but gone, but we’re lucky as we still have rent coming in from our home in Australia, so that’s keeping our heads just above water,’ Ms Farrell said of the trip

The mum of one is a firm believer in the idea that travelling is easier than many might think

The mum of one is a firm believer in the idea that travelling is easier than many might think

The mum of one is a firm believer in the idea that travelling is easier than many might think.

We’ve travelled for a whole year with one backpack… and there’s no way I’m going back to my old way of life now

She said not only was it cheaper than living in Sydney, but it was also rewarding. 

‘I’ve learned this year that if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen,’ she said.

‘There’s more to life than sitting at a desk every day to earn money to buy stuff. We’ve travelled for a whole year with one backpack… and there’s no way I’m going back to my old way of life now.’

'I've learned this year that if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen,' Ms Farrell said

‘I’ve learned this year that if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen,’ Ms Farrell said

In eleven months, Ms Farrell and Emmie have visited Taiwan, Malaysian Borneo, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, London, Paris and China

In eleven months, Ms Farrell and Emmie have visited Taiwan, Malaysian Borneo, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, London, Paris and China

Ms Farrell taught her daughter, Emmie (pictured), via the NSW Distance Education primary school programme

Ms Farrell taught her daughter, Emmie (pictured), via the NSW Distance Education primary school programme

While travelling the likes of Taiwan, Malaysian Borneo, Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, London, Paris and China – where they spent Christmas and the New Year – Ms Farrell had taught her daughter via the NSW Distance Education primary school programme.

EVIE FARRELL’S TIPS FOR BEING ON THE ROAD

* Be prepared to change your plans, take your time and don’t be too rigid – things will change and you’ll need to adapt accordingly.

* Share decision making with your companion if you have one, and compromise. You need to make sure you do things you both want to do.

* Skype and FaceTime are great for catching up with long-distance friends and family – use them to your advantage.

* Plan ahead, save money and factor in things like schooling, budgets and things – then be prepared to roll with it when you’re on the road.

* Embrace local buses, overnight trains and ferries, pushbikes and tuk-tuks to save money.

* Realise you don’t have to follow the 9-5 pattern and that’s the hardest part. Then, have no regrets.

Emmie was also been sporadically receiving formal education, such as when the pair were in Hoi An.

‘The challenges of being away on a trip like this are mostly the same as the ones we have at home – schoolwork, manners, bedtimes and eating meals – we just deal with them in incredible locations,’ Ms Farrell said.  

‘We’ve met other traveling families along the way and seeing Emmie have a great time with kids from all over the world helps me feel okay about her being away from her friends at home.

‘She has made so many new friends and had wonderful experiences in all the countries we’ve been to.’

Ms Farrell and her daughter spent time in Vietnam, before crossing over into Cambodia to visit an elephant sanctuary and celebrate their one year anniversary of being away from home:

‘It was funny being away from home for Christmas and celebrating it in China,’ she said.

‘We celebrated it by going to watch a Christmas show, ice skate and rock climb. We ate local xiaolongbao (Chinese soup dumplings) and caramel-flavoured Tim Tams which we managed to find in a supermarket.

‘I wouldn’t change our experiences for the world, though, and hopefully our life will inspire more mums and dads to go on an adventure with their children.’

'The challenges of being away on a trip like this are mostly the same as the ones we have at home - schoolwork, manners, bedtimes and eating meals,' Ms Farrell said

‘The challenges of being away on a trip like this are mostly the same as the ones we have at home – schoolwork, manners, bedtimes and eating meals,’ Ms Farrell said

Problems: The pair just deal with their problems in 'incredible locations'

Problems: The pair just deal with their problems in ‘incredible locations’

Present: Ms Farrell believes that travelling is the 'best gitft' she could have given Emmie, and 'the best thing I could have done for myself, too'

Present: Ms Farrell believes that travelling is the ‘best gitft’ she could have given Emmie, and ‘the best thing I could have done for myself, too’

With regards to any regrets about packing up her old life in Australia, Ms Farrell said she had none. 

‘This is precious time and if we weren’t travelling, I would be at work every day and Emmie would be at school and being cared for by au pairs. It just makes sense to me to spend time together while she is young. 

‘It’s the best gift I could have given her and the best thing I could have done for myself, too.’

For anyone thinking of trying long-distance travel, Evie Farrell says you can get in contact with her via her blog, Mum Pack Travel. You can also follow her adventures on Instagram. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk