Let’s get physical! Grey nomads can stay fit and healthy on the road

When you’re travelling across the country in a caravan, fitting in a workout and maintaining a healthy diet can sometimes be tricky. Caravans usually have only a small kitchen and accessing a gym isn’t so easy when you’re regularly moving from town to town.

But that doesn’t mean you have to forego fitness and nutritious meals altogether. There are plenty of ways to stay fit and healthy while on the road – and it won’t break your budget or ruin your holiday plans.

Try out a fitness class

Some bigger caravan parks hold an array of fitness classes, including yoga and tai chi classes for guests at no extra charge. This could be a great way to stretch your legs and meet some fellow grey nomads.

Alternatively, not-for-profit organisation Live Life Get Active also hosts free fitness classes across Australia at parks and reserves. Classes include yoga, boxing and circuit-based workouts.

You could also try out Parkrun. The free, volunteer-run events are held throughout the country every Saturday morning with a set 5 kilometre track to follow. If you’re attending for the first time, you’ll need to register beforehand and print out a barcode which is scanned at the end of your run to record your time.

Explore by foot

You’ll see a lot driving down the open road, but there’s much more to experience by foot. Before you head off for the day, go for a stroll down the main street or wander along the beach at sunrise or sunset.

If you’re travelling through national parks and mountain ranges and are up for a bit of a challenge, add a hike into your schedule. You’ll see some amazing scenery and get your exercise done for the day.

Some key places to explore include Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory, Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

Visit a local market 

Shopping at a market is a great way to meet the locals and grab a bargain. There’s usually an abundance of fresh produce available for a much cheaper price than the major supermarkets.

Be careful not to go overbuy though – you don’t want the delicious fruit and vegetables going off before you have a chance to eat them.

Prepare meals in advance

It’s easy to grab takeaway while you’re travelling, but if you’re doing this regularly it could hurt your bank balance and your waist line too. Instead, prepare meals in advance that can be stored in the freezer and thawed in the microwave for those times when you’re in a rush.

Meals such as zucchini slice or a spaghetti bolognaise can be cooked in bulk and divvied up into servings using freezer bags. Meanwhile, salad sandwiches and wraps are great options for lunch.

Oats and Weet-Bix are healthy and quick breakfast options that are readily available from supermarkets. Add some banana or strawberries on top to keep you fuller for longer and prevent snacking on unhealthy foods throughout the day.