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We moved 1400km to the Outback. It's the scariest thing I've ever done.
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We moved 1400km to the Outback. It's the scariest thing I've ever done.

They packed up their 2 kids and moved to a town with 2 camels. This is their story.

Emily Beaton's avatar
Emily Beaton
Nov 04, 2024
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We moved 1400km to the Outback. It's the scariest thing I've ever done.
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Today I’m sharing the story of my sister-in-law Bee who, thanks to my brother Jason, has moved to the middle of nowhere. With two kids aged 5 and 3, they packed up their life on the coast in Port Lincoln and headed inland…way inland.

Bedourie is located in outback Queensland - a short 1400km from Adelaide and 1600km from Brisbane.

When I say middle of nowhere, I mean…

The population is 100. The school has 4 kids. And the closest town is Birdsville which is a 2hr drive away.

Groceries get delivered once a fortnight. There’s 2 town camels - Priscilla & Willie. And Bee, Jase and the kids have never been happier.

This is their story.


HOW IT STARTED

We were living in beautiful Port Lincoln. I absolutely loved it. We’d lived there for three years, and I had finally got myself comfortable. I'd hit the jackpot with my Mum friends, Billie was at the best school, Ned was settled. We lived in a great area right near the beach. I really enjoyed my work and met some really great people there. Everything was just good.

And then Jase got offered a job in outback Queensland.

Life in Pt Lincoln. They couldn’t have moved further from the coastline.

THE REACTION

I called his bluff. I didn't think he was actually going to do it. So I said, “yeah, yeah, talk to me when this is a thing. I don't want to hear about it now.”

And because, as you know Jase, he doesn't really cope that well in the heat.

My brother hates the heat so Bedourie was a natural choice. (This is the forecast for this week)

I just didn't think it was going to be a reality, so I didn't give it that much thought. Then I vividly remember when he was expecting a call back.

I said to him, “I'm so comfortable where we're at” and he just gave me this look.

I said, “You got it, didn't you? You got the job?”

He responded, “Yep.”

REALITY SETS IN

I said, “well done. I'm super proud of you!” And then just burst out crying.

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