International Women’s Day 2022 focuses on #BreakTheBias and thus the admirable Sian Woods instantly came to our minds. Sian and her family of ‘Big Oz Explorers’ are travelling around Australia in their Y62 Nissan Patrol and Trail X-Plorer 21'6' Caravan. Sian is breaking biases daily, and doing things totally different to most Australian families just by living this on-the-road lifestyle.
Read on to find out more on Sian’s experience as a woman in the outdoor adventure space, how she encourages female to experience 4WDing and her tips for other mums who are itching to take on the road trip of a lifetime.
Why do you think it’s important to address IWD?
Currently, gender equality is still an issue around the world. I think the first step to understanding there’s a problem, is to talk about the problem. Sometimes a simple discussion is enough to help others understand the importance of a certain matter. In this case, International Women’s Day is a public platform and way for others to openly discuss a stereotype in the hope to #breakthebias.
What does it mean to be a woman in the outdoor adventure world?
It’s empowering. Every day is exactly that, an adventure. A chance to test your limits and prove to yourself what you can do and where the limit really lies. Breaking away from the 9-5 and security of home life, roles and what is expected of you really makes you look at your personal venture in a greater life. Being a woman in the outdoor adventure world builds your strengths and allows a deeper understanding of yourself by taking on new challenges you may never have seen before.
How do you feel supported?
I feel very lucky to have a supportive community through Big Oz Explorers on YouTube and socials who tell me regularly how they appreciate seeing me get involved, get dirty and the do it myself attitude to life. This motivates me to do more and continue to show other women that they can be the same and do it too! I want to break the bias that says I am not capable. My partner Chris is also supportive of me. He teaches me technical skills and then leaves me to test what I have learned. I can do so much now, I silicone, use power tools, four-wheel drive, tow a caravan, fix bicycles, change the air filter in the car and can change a tyre… And that is just to name a few!
What keeps you motivated to continue your outdoor adventures?
I have always been the type of person who craves information and wants to learn. I am hands on and seek kinaesthetic learning. To do, is to learn. The outdoor and adventurous lifestyle means I get to do this every day. From starting a fire to keep warm or playing with race cars with my two-year-old son. I am not defined by inability but rather, my ability to learn. I am motivated to learn. Being outdoors there are so many skill sets to discover, it’s a never-ending journey for any traveller.
How can we encourage more females to get into 4WDing?
I think every woman deserves a good four-wheel driving trip. Not the type where the car is at such an angle that you think it’s going to roll over, but the type where it’s comfortable and being off road will lead to a new destination. 4WDing isn’t all technical and dangerous, it can take the passengers to a hidden oasis or stunning white sand beach with little to no difficulty. I think that the reason most women don’t try 4WD’ing is the fear that they can’t. Every woman needs supportive friends and a 4WD crew that is willing to support her through the tracks.
As knowledgeable drivers, we need to teach other women who are new to the scene the tips and tricks of the trade such as letting the tyres down and why we do it. It all comes down to knowledge really. When you are knowledgeable you are confident. We can do anything if we put our minds to it. I would love to help other women become confident off-road drivers; I wish more would ask me for help.
Do you have any tips for other mums/females who would like to take on a big road trip adventure?
Just do it! I was a working mum with bills, schedules, plans and security with my house and work. Let it all go and trust your gut, it’s the greatest adventure of your lifetime! There is so much to see and experience that is outside of the comfort zone (in a good way) and by leaving the stress of home behind, it gives you the opportunity to reset and truly see what matters in life. Family, love, smiling, seeing your kids grow up. The travel part is just the bonus.
Who is your female role model and why?
My biggest role model would have to be my Mum. No matter what I want in life she has always encouraged me and, when I made a mistake, she has helped me pick myself back up, learn from it and carry on. My Mum has always communicated with me and encouraged me to voice my opinion, even if I was different. My self-confidence, self-love and values come from my Mum.
Do you meet many other females on the road?
Always! And all with such varied skills and lives. Some are young and single; others are working full time online and others are just living their best life in a caravan trip around Australia. There is no one type of female travelling Australia and we all have a different goal and experiences.
Do you and your partner have your own ‘jobs’ on the road?
In a sense we do when it comes to cleaning. I do most of the cleaning around the inside of the caravan and he does most of the cleaning outside. In almost every other way, we have jobs which are equal or totally opposite to most families. Our business is reliant on my ability to edit videos and because we have no family around when travelling, Chris is nearly always at home Dad while I work. It doesn’t bother us though as this is our normal and it works for us.
I also tend to do a lot of the handyman jobs as I am better at being gentle and not breaking things before they are fixed. Being a man and having strength is not always the answer to a problem in a caravan. Day in and day out, we are breaking the bias and doing things totally different to most Australian families just by living this tiny home lifestyle.
Do you feel there is a strong 4X4 women’s community?
I think the community exists and the ones who are in it are SO passionate but it’s still only small. I often see groups of women online who have conquered Cape York together or have a four-wheel drive club, however you don’t see it everywhere. If Chris and I are four-wheel driving with couples I often ask if we can have a girls drive, and I encourage the women in the group to have a drive of their vehicle. This is the beginning of what might become a passion for them, all they need is the support to start somewhere.
Follow Big Oz Explorers.
- Website - https://www.bigozexplorers.com/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bigozexplorers
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bigozexplorers/
- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/bigozexplorers