Travelling with 3 kids and a marketer's eye.

The Road Between Brands is finally here: a series that celebrates the real marketing lessons happening far beyond big cities. The stories that come from caravan parks, community halls, market stalls and tiny towns doing big things.

Each month, we’ll share an honest conversation with someone living it, on the road, on the land, or inside a small business that’s built on connection.

And to kick things off, meet the Harpley Family from @allharpleyadventures a family travelling Australia with three kids, thousands of kilometres and a front row seat to how regional communities truly connect.

Their story on the road started because of long 2-3 hour commutes to work, late nights and the feeling that life was happening without them. So they sold it all, packed up, hit the road with three young kids and turned a dream of seeing Australia into their everyday reality. Along the way, they discovered something powerful, the way regional communities market without even meaning to.

Why they hit the road

“I was commuting 2-3 hours a day between work and home and I'd often end up getting home after the kids were in bed… Seeing Australia was always on our to-do list and we figured we'd take the leap and do it before the kids hit school age.”

On regional trust

“In my experience, accommodation referrals are extremely high trust… There are literally thousands of families lapping Australia and regional businesses that seem to be doing well really capitalise on that market.”

The standout community

“Dundee Beach! … The local weekend markets were made up of tonnes of people who used the community centre as a space to share their produce/goods with the travellers and was a huge hit.”

On influencer impact

“Travelling influencers play a major role… the Instagram algo is smart enough to put the right stuff in front of you.”

Facebook communities

“Facebook groups (I know) are really important… it’s very common to see threads asking about a local business with +100 comments in there.”

What we love most about this story is how beautifully it captures the ecosystem of regional marketing:

• High-trust recommendations matter more than ads: People trust their Airbnb host more than a billboard.

• Influencers shape travel decisions in real time: Not in a gimmicky way, in a “this is where we actually went today” way.

• Communities become collaborators: Markets, caravan parks, pubs, general stores, they all play a role.

• A story told well can change a town’s entire season

• Social presence is no longer optional: Even the best destinations can stay hidden without it.

  
  

These are the stories that remind us why marketing in regional Australia requires heart, context and community behind every strategy.

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