Payne family swaps busy, materialistic life on Gold Coast for simpler pleasures in Geraldton

Setting off on an adventure exploring Australia in a so-called “tin can”, the Payne family from Queensland’s Gold Coast has settled in Geraldton, confident they have stumbled on the real golden coast. Trading the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast for the serene shores of laidback Geraldton, the family of six is embracing a new chapter after their cross-country journey. The adventure that couple Jade and Josh Payne, both 33, have embarked on with their four children — Lily, 12, Layla, 10, Archie, 8, and Ace, 5 — has redefined their lives and brought them closer together. In November 2023, the Paynes sold everything they owned and left the Gold Coast behind. Ms Payne, a sales manager for a marketing firm, continued to work remotely through their travels, while her husband, a qualified cabinet maker, eagerly embraced the challenge of living on the road. Their goal: to find the perfect coastal town to call home. The decision was deeply personal. “I lost my dad to cancer in 2022, and it was devastating,” Ms Payne shared. “Watching him go through that made us realise how short life is. We blinked, and our kids were suddenly 12, 10, 8, and 5. We wanted to live in the moment and go on an adventure of a lifetime.” For seven months, the family travelled together, experiencing Australia’s diverse landscapes and tight-knit community life. “Living in a tin can brought us closer. We really got to know each other on another level,” Ms Payne recalled. The journey had its highlights, from camping on the Eyre and York peninsulas to swimming with whale sharks, and even the simple joy of spending quality time together. However, the challenges of life on the road began to weigh on them. “Josh missed the structure of work, and Lily, our eldest, found it difficult to connect socially, as most travelling families had younger children,” Ms Payne said. “We had planned to travel for two years, but after six months, we realised it was time to settle down.” The Paynes had a clear vision of what they were looking for in a new home: a coastal town with a close-knit, country-like community, a house near the beach, a manageable mortgage, and convenient amenities like Aldi, Coles, and Kmart. Geraldton fit the bill perfectly. “When we drove into Geraldton, we knew this was our home,” Ms Payne explains. “Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. People say hi when you’re walking down the street, everyone is smiling, and the kids all play out on the street. It all just fell into place so easily.” Now, the family is settling into their new routine. The children have started school at Geraldton Christian College and are adjusting beautifully. “The kids are settling in beautifully,” says Jade. “They’ve made new friends and are really enjoying their new school.” The Paynes are certainly not alone in their decision to settle in Geraldton. According to Commonwealth Bank’s Regional Movers Index, Geraldton recorded a 158 per cent increase in population from internal migration in 2023, making it the fifth-most popular regional city for Australian to move to. Mr Payne has found work with PS Chester & Sons and is loving his new job. “I’ve missed the structure of work and the satisfaction of building something tangible,” he said. “Finding a job so quickly here was a blessing.” Ms Payne is continuing her work remotely, enjoying the slower pace and the sense of community Geraldton offers. “It’s been a great change from the fast-paced, materialistic lifestyle we left behind on the Gold Coast,” she says. “We have more time for each other and to enjoy the simple things in life.” As they sell their travel setup to downsize for future adventures, the Paynes look forward to exploring more of Western Australia. “We plan to settle into Geraldton and find our new routine,” Ms Payne says. “We want to adventure more north on smaller trips now that our base is here.” The Payne family’s journey is a testament to the power of embracing change, living in the moment, and finding the perfect place to call home. Now they have been welcomed with open arms, they are excited to see what the future holds. “We feel incredibly blessed to have found our dream home and community,” Ms Payne said. “Geraldton is the perfect place for us to grow as a family and create lasting memories.” You can follow their journey, The Payneful Family, on Instagram and Youtube.