Antarctica to the Outback: Rodnie and Bryan's adventures

For Rodnie and Bryan, retirement at Ryman’s Edmund Hillary Village is all about seizing every opportunity to explore. From trekking through Nepal and enduring the cold in Antarctica to immersing themselves in Aboriginal culture in the Australian Outback, their epic retirement proves that age is no barrier to discovery. Just as Sir Edmund Hillary pushed the limits of exploration, residents of his namesake village continue to chart their own extraordinary journeys.

“We’ll keep travelling for as long as we can,” says Rodnie.

Exploring the white continent

In January last year, the couple embarked on a journey they had dreamed of for years - an Antarctic expedition. From strapping on snowshoes in a blizzard to stepping inside the historic Shackleton Hut, every moment in the frozen wilderness exceeded their expectations.

Aboard the National Geographic Endurance, they spent a month exploring the vast ice-covered landscapes, paddling through icy waters in kayaks and gazing up at towering glaciers from Zodiac boats. And the icebergs? Breathtaking.

“One was so huge it took four hours to sail around,” says Rodnie. “And we saw incredible wildlife everywhere,” adds Bryan.

Seals lounging on the ice, seabirds soaring overhead, and whales surfacing just metres away. On one excursion near the Ross Sea, they encountered a colony of over 1.5 million Adélie penguins - an unforgettable sight.

From frozen frontiers to the red centre

Just a few months after Antarctica, Rodnie and Bryan swapped snow for sun, spending nearly a month exploring Australia’s rugged landscapes. After hiring a car to explore the regions south of Perth, they flew to Darwin for a three-week Outback tour.

They journeyed through Kakadu National Park, marvelled at the dramatic landscapes and unique rock formations of the Kimberley, and spotted crocodiles in Kununurra. But the real highlight?

“The deep understanding we gained of Aboriginal culture was incredible,” says Rodnie. “We loved it so much, we’ll go back.”

A journey on foot

Trekking has always been a passion for Rodnie and Bryan, but no place holds a deeper meaning for them than Nepal. They highly recommend the Annapurna Base Camp trek, a route celebrated for its breathtaking scenery and peaceful trails. Along the way, they formed a lasting bond with their Nepalese guide and his family, staying in touch over the years and offering support after the devastating 2015 earthquake. 

Their love for walking also inspired them to take on Ryman’s Walking for Wellness challenge, where residents walked either 60km or 120km over a month. Instead of completing the challenge close to home, they took it to new heights by covering the distance while exploring Iceland’s dramatic landscapes. Read more about their adventures in Nepal and Iceland here.

The perfect home base for a life of travel

Rodnie and Bryan’s love for adventure goes hand in hand with the peace of mind that comes from having a secure home base. Since moving to Ryman’s Edmund Hillary Village over two years ago, they’ve discovered the ultimate lock and leave lifestyle.

“The feeling of total security, the companionship, and knowing that our house and belongings are safe on all levels is amazing,” says Bryan. “We never worry while we’re away.”

With everything taken care of, they’re free to focus on what they love - exploring the world. And with Greenland and the Galápagos Islands next on their list, the adventure isn’t slowing down anytime soon.