Follow the Sun winners head off

Three Aussie caravanning couples chosen as winners of Dometic’s ‘Follow the Sun’ 2014 promotion have commenced their three month, expenses paid road trip after an official send-off in Brisbane last week.

As well as giving members of the public the opportunity to see off the lucky couples, the Family Fun Day celebration at the Brisbane Holiday Village provided plenty of free entertainment including Jason Andrews from All 4 Adventure TV show hosting an Ambassador cook-off.

Handpicked from 8000 entries from around Australia, the winning couples from Charters Towers and Palmwoods in Queensland, and Ballina in NSW were chosen to act as ambassadors for leading leisure products company Dometic Australia in its second Follow the Sun marketing campaign.

Each winner received around $35,000 worth of prizes including a three-month expenses paid road trip within Australia and a makeover of their own caravan with Dometic and Waeco products including awnings, air conditioners, fridges, dishwashers and gas heaters.

All keen caravanners, the winners will host a number of ‘Happy Hours’ en-route, before finishing up at a wrap party on the Gold Coast at the end of October.

Regular updates describing the couples’ adventures will be posted via social media and at the Dometic Follow the Sun website.

WHO ARE THE WINNERS?

THE BLONDE NOMAD...

Kellie and Corey Stephenson of Charters Towers, Queensland, are preparing to make some magic memories with young son Zac, five, on their Follow The Sun adventure.

“When I saw this opportunity, I said to my husband this is just us, this is us! We packed up our life last year, selling our home and packing our possessions into a shipping container, so we can enjoy this amazing life on the road! “ said Kellie, who already has a sizeable following as The Blonde Nomad on Facebook.

The family will travel NSW, South Australia and Victoria, taking in Mildura, Bendigo, Canberra, Port Macquarie before finishing on the Gold Coast.

THE EMPTY-NESTERS...

Denise and Terry Park of Palmwoods, Queensland, couldn't wait to hit the road in their Jayco 5th wheeler, and will see the sights of NSW, starting in Tweed Heads and making stops in Yamba, Byron Bay, Tamworth and Bathurst among others.

“Terry and I have been camping for years but since retiring last year, we have had more time to really follow our dreams and get out and see this amazing country,” said Denise, a retired nurse.

“We are very excited to have our Jayco 5th wheeler upgraded with Dometic products so we can set off on this adventure in style!”

They leaving behind their three grown up daughters and nine grandchildren, to ensure some rest and relaxation along the way!

THE CARAVANNING KIDS...

Michelle and Michael Lucas of East Ballina, NSW, are keen caravanners who have already notched up some serious miles with children Linda, 15, Samantha, 13, and Julia, 10.

Stay-at-home mum Michelle and Michael, a building supervisor, will explore Queensland, taking in the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays as well as the outback splendour of Longreach, Hughendon and Winton.

The family previously enjoyed a three-month road trip in 2012 which took in many Aussie highlights including the Murray River, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Darwin and Kakadu.

Michelle will home school the two youngest children during the three month road trip, while Linda remains in East Ballina with family to continue her Year 10 education.