Top influencer couple Kye Duncan and Alex Pails cruise through FNQ in their van

Former nurse and physical therapist gaining some online popularity as they park their nine-to-five jobs for a while and explore FNQ by van. FIND OUT THEIR TRAVEL TIPS

FORMER health professionals-turned-hot influencer couple Kye Duncan and Alex Pails say “there’s no time like the present” as they ditch the nine-to-five rat-race and take off on tour ‘round Oz.

They’ve traded four walls recently for the glorious waterfalls and vivid seascapes of Far North Queensland and taken to vlogging – video blogging – their adventures for the benefit of a sizeable Instagram audience, likely aspiring to abscond on their own tropical adventure.

“People wait too long to chase their dreams,” said Mr Duncan.

Van life travelling couple Kye Duncan and Alex Jane. Photo: Kye Duncan.

“Highlights have been inland at places like Kuranda. They have an awesome camp called Billabong that we loved. Lake Tinaroo we camped at for days and had fires every night and watched the stars. Wonga Beach was a big favourite from the coast … and Noah campground at Cape Tribulation is an awesome, low-cost camp.”

The Gold Coast couple now live from their van, a resurging travel trend among young and senior folk alike known as “van life”; it’s an especially popular theme for travel influencers. While some van setups can be extravagant, Mr Duncan said their style is minimalism.

The couple are recording most of their journey for the vlog on YouTube. Photo: Kye Duncan.

“Some chairs and a wooden table, an awning, fly nets for back and side door, which are essential, but also a couple of creature comforts too.

“Everyone has their own set-up and with each comes compromise in one way or another. Our van vlog via our YouTube goes through the set-up best.

“We started a YouTube channel to keep our families and friends up to date … but really we just want to store memories for when we are older.

“We want to be able to watch ourselves back and laugh at the good times … if we ever get stagnant in our lives or stop chasing our dreams, we want to inspire ourselves again.

“As we have seen with a huge, unpredictable pandemic and world crisis, nothing is a given.”

The duo originally began their journey shortly before the Covid pandemic revealed itself as the monster it became.

Ms Pails, a coronary care nurse at the time, felt the need to return home and resume work given the burden on the healthcare system.

Mr Duncan worked at his own “corrective movement therapy and coaching” practice.

Although they both plan to re-engage periodically with their former professions to supplement their income while on the road, Ms Pails in particular has found a divergent calling.

She has worked for the past year as a freelance model and content creator for sustainable brands, and promotes them on her social media channels.

The couple have travelled by van from the Gold Coast to FNQ and plan on continuing their journey through the rest of Australia. Photo: Kye Duncan.

“Alex chooses to only work with specific brands that support environments through fair trade, sustainable materials, recycled or reused or organic-based products.

“There are a lot of influencers out there creating content but she feels there is a huge power in chasing this profession and wants her audience to make better choices rather than encouraging over-consumption.

“On the road we have pushed this and right now it is a small income for us which helps.”

Although the journey presents itself as pure joy and unbridled wanderlust, and less orderly than a conventional hotel holiday, the pair admit it’s been a challenge at times.

“Lots of things can go wrong. Changing your perspective and realising how lucky you are to be travelling helps. So does hoping you’re close to stores and places to fix the problems.

“The biggest surprise is just how welcoming people are and how they are willing to lend us a hand whether it is fixing something, giving us fresh fruit and vegetables … or a place to stay after a quick chat.”

After the first leg of their journey they’ve put together three tips for van life.

Firstly, talk to people. Get local knowledge and it will pay off. It’s how the traveller finds the best little spots.

“We love meeting new people and sharing ideas and experiences.”

Secondly, know how to fix things and make sure you’ve got a good toolbox on hand.

What the kitchen looks like when travelling via van life. Photo: Kye Duncan.

“Kye is very handy, I swear there isn’t anything he can’t do, but YouTube and willpower gets it done,” said Ms Pails.

Lastly, be patient and go easy on oneself. “Life can be a highlight reel on the socials but it can also be harder than the nine to five back home,” said Mr Duncan.

“Communicate with your partner and give yourself permission to have a slow morning just to get your mental health in check.

“We just want to encourage people to take a leap or a risk and show them it’s okay to have fails and that you don’t need much to travel this way.”

Anyone can find the couple’s vlogs on their YouTube channel: Kye and Alex Vanlife.

Originally published as Top influencer couple Kye Duncan and Alex Pails cruise through FNQ in their van