This Aussie Family of Five Rode Around the World – We Asked, How?

As outdoor adventurers who are considering having kids, some of us have that one big, glaring question.

‘Will I still be able to adventure with tiny humans in my life?’

For Andrew and Nicola, the answer is yes, but the odd microadventure wasn’t quite enough. The family of five decided to ride around the entire world together. Nearly two years and over 12,000km later, they discovered that it’s not only possible to adventure with kiddos, but it’s also very meaningful and fun.

Bea sat down with Andrew from the Swag Family to hear more about their epic world ride and adventuring with kids.

Pre-Kids

Andrew and Nicola were Tassie locals living just outside Hobart. Before they met, they had both been big on adventure.

‘It runs in your DNA down here; we’ve got mountains on the doorstep of every city’, Andrew says, smiling.

They’d both set off on big bike trips, Andrew around Australia in his 20s and Nicola around Europe.

‘The format didn’t really matter. We were just mad-keen adventurers who loved everything that came with being outside – the challenge, the unique landscapes, and the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone’, Andrew tells me.

Andrew’s comfort zone might be harder to step outside of than most

After their first two kids came along, it wasn’t long before they set off on their first big family adventure, riding 14,000 km around Australia in 2019 with Hope and Wilfy, who were five and three at the time.

‘Walking around Australia wasn’t really an option’, Andrew jokes.

‘Bike riding was that sweet spot. You cover enough distance and see a lot of great stuff, but still feel part of and connected to the environment you’re travelling through.’

There are always some unknowns when heading off on a big adventure like this, but with their two kids in tow, Andrew and Nicola had a lot more to consider.

‘You’re always monitoring your kids’ wellbeing, and we knew the signs when things weren’t working – unhappiness, bad behaviour. We also knew we could turn around at any time if things went south.’

The couple were right on the edge of their comfort zone at the start, but quickly found their rhythm, and the trip really helped to build up their confidence that adventuring by bike with kids can work.

A few years down the track, now with an extra family member, Jeannie, they decided to tackle something even more epic. Setting off in 2024 to cycle around the world.

Why Around the World?

Deciding on the exact route took a bit of extra time and planning. ‘We knew we wouldn’t be able to ride the traditional route that an adult could.’

They eventually landed on a mix of places they’d always wanted to explore, along with landscapes and cultures that would be most different from home.

They mapped out a route spanning New Zealand, South America, Europe, and Asia before returning to Tasmania.

There’s no better place than Patagonia for a family on bikes, if you really think about it

With a rough plan in place, they still remained flexible once on the road, making decisions along the way. ‘I’m glad we weren’t locked into a specific route or timeline’, Andrew reflects. ‘It made things a bit easier; if you don’t have a set plan, then the plan can’t go wrong’, he jokes.

As they neared the end of their New Zealand leg, their concerns about keeping the kids’ education on track had largely dissipated. They’d managed to keep up with schoolwork even if ‘maths lessons happen over breakfast in a tent, and geography unfolds beneath your wheels.’

At the same time, the kids were soaking up rich and diverse real-world experiences.

‘School is great, but when you have an opportunity to bring them into the real world, face real challenges, gosh, they learn a lot’, Andrew tells me. ‘It’s so good for their development and their little souls.’

For the Swag Family, this adventure wasn’t about ticking off countries or kilometres, it was about finding a rhythm of family life that felt meaningful, connected, and a little bit unpredictable.

As for their other concern: ‘Was it the right time for a 1.5-year-old to jump on a bike?’

Jeannie was loving it.

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And in case riding around the world wasn’t enough, the family also documented the journey, sharing their experiences through a website, podcast, newsletter, and free school resources.

‘Adventure is great on your own, but even better when it’s shared, and we wanted to find a way to give back a little bit’, Andrew says.

The Highest Point

After their warm-up in New Zealand, the real test came with the rugged terrain and elevation of the Andes.

‘Coming out of Lima, looking out at 4,000m+ mountains, we really didn’t know if we were doing the right thing at that point. Our strategy was very conservative; slow and steady. Covering a max of 300m elevation a day.’

The highest point was at 4,700m, on the Peru Divide.

‘Going up that high, with kids and heavy bikes, was really tough. We basically walked the last 100m’, Andrew jokes.

Despite the challenge, this moment turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.

Type 2 fun is always available if you know where to look

‘It was a really amazing experience and such an achievement for our little family. We felt such relief and joy that we were there; we’d made it! It was definitely the Everest of our trip, and subsequent challenges felt less daunting.’

It was then onwards and downwards to Punta Arenas, where their South American chapter ended.

Once they hit the UK, Hope and Wilfy graduated to their own bikes, leaving their custom-built triplet behind.

‘The kids were ready, but the first few days were nerve-racking. There were narrow roads, winding lanes and hedges, and, ironically, they didn’t yet have much experience with steering and braking. They were alert and aware, though, kitted out with high-vis and flags and safely sandwiched between Nicola and me.’

Hard to miss, but certainly still nerve wracking to begin with!

As the trip went on, their confidence and abilities grew and by the end they felt very comfortable even on the busy, chaotic roads of Vietnam. ‘You couldn’t find a more diabolical place to ride a bike, but they had the skills by then, and thankfully the traffic was super slow.’

Navigating Challenges On and Off the Bike

As is often the case, tricky times in the outdoors help you grow and create the best stories in hindsight (as long as no one gets hurt!). For the Swag Family, navigating those challenges together made them stronger as a family and gave them plenty of great stories to tell back home.

‘There were tough days for sure, but the kids really rose to the challenges- bad weather, tricky terrain, mud. Those moments aren’t every day, and we got to share them as a family, which is pretty special. Looking back, it was just so, so much fun.’ Andrew says, smiling.

Read more: Clare Reilly Has Become the First Person to Ride the Munda Biddi Trail in a Wheelchair

So, normal life in Tassie now?

Now back home in Tassie, they’ve settled back into their routine.

‘We’re really enjoying normal community life and fully embracing this gorgeous part of the world we live in.’

For Andrew and Nicola, feeling at home and grounded in their community is equally important as big adventures.

‘Whether that’s community building, friendship forming, or blocks of adventure – that’s how we segment our life up. We always have a good reason for doing what we’re doing.’

When I ask what’s next, Andrew tells me they are in the dreaming stage.

Adventure inspiration is always bubbling away with a memory bank like this

‘I have about five new grand plans for us every couple of weeks!’ Andrew jokes.

‘We’ll scheme up another big adventure soon, I’m sure; but for right now, home is great.’

Andrew’s Top Tips for Parents Who Want to Dream Up Their Own Family Adventure

1. Committing is the biggest step. After that, everything else falls into place. Have a serious conversation with your partner and kids; say it out loud and put dates in the calendar.

2. Take that commitment seriously and be true to yourself.

3. You don’t have to be perfectly prepared and in top physical shape. Treat the first part of the adventure like the training run: shorter days, harder work, but you’ll quickly build up strength. Just modify your adventure to suit that.

4. Use your imagination and be curious. Where do you want to go? Who do you want to connect with? Have fun dreaming up your big adventure!

5. If things aren’t working, you’re feeling stuck, or it doesn’t feel right, change it or stop. You can make a big decision wholeheartedly, and give yourself permission to change your mind.

Keeping the Adventure Alive

And for those budding parents worried about losing their adventure time when or if they have kids?

‘One thing I’d definitely say is that going on real adventures with your kids is a very fulfilling experience. For both of us, it’s the best thing we’ve ever done by a long way.’

For Andrew and Nicola, fostering a sense of adventure, curiosity, and love for the outdoors has always been central to their parenting. Adventures were a huge part of their lives before kids, and they were determined to keep that spirit alive.

The kids rode the last sections in China and Vietnam themselves

They reject the idea that adventure is something you have to leave behind when you ‘grow up’ or have kids. It simply meant a bit more planning and creativity, from homeschooling to breastfeeding on the bike.

And perhaps redefining what adventure is.

‘Adventure isn’t just one thing’, Andrew says. ‘Of course it’s summits, records and finish lines. But it’s also curiosity, resilience, courage and the willingness to discover what lies beyond the horizon.”

The best part, he says, is sharing it.

‘We’d both done a lot of solo adventures before kids, and loved that, but sharing adventures with your partner is extra good; then again, with your kids is extra, extra good. It just gets better when you’re with your family. I couldn’t advocate for it more.’

Photos thanks to Swag Family Hughes