Chasing Adventure – Rory sloane joins the lotus caravans family

After 16 seasons of tough tackles, unforgettable goals, and leading the Adelaide Football Club as both Co-Captain and sole Captain, Rory Sloane has swapped the footy field for a new kind of adventure; the open road. Known for his resilience and passion, Rory’s love for the outdoors runs deep, making his partnership with Lotus Caravans a perfect match.

Growing up in the Dandenong Ranges, Rory’s connection to the outdoors started early. “I grew up in the outdoors, in sport, and although I didn’t live near the ocean, I spent a lot of time in it. And that’s where I feel most at home,” he says. That deep-seated love for nature stayed with Rory throughout his career, and now, alongside his wife Belinda and their three children Sonny, Bodhi, and Summer, he’s passing that passion on to the next generation.

For Rory, life has always been about balance. Amid the demands of elite sport and a hectic footy schedule, he always found time to escape to the surf or go camping. Now, as a father, he’s sharing those same adventures with his family. “Camping with my family brings me back to my own childhood,” Rory reflects. “Being outdoors, exploring, watching the kids discover animals, it’s about giving them that sense of adventure I remember growing up with.”

Rory is passionate about instilling an appreciation for the natural world in his children. “Our kids love to explore, and they’re learning to appreciate the outdoors, the environment, animals, and people too. They’re learning to be kind and caring by being in nature,” he says. He also highlights the simple joys of life on the road. “When you’re camping, you always meet super friendly people. It’s really easy to make friends because we’re all out here doing the same things.”

Rory’s journey with Lotus Caravans began with a nudge from fellow AFL star and Lotus Caravans ambassador, Patrick Dangerfield. “Paddy and I share a love for the outdoors and the ocean. When I saw him exploring Australia in his Lotus, I was curious. Bel and I, and the kids, took a few trips in an entry-level van to see if we enjoyed it, and we did. There are so many spots we want to explore off-grid, and we knew we needed the right caravan to make travel with young kids as easy as possible.”

For Rory, the freedom that comes with a Lotus Caravan is priceless. “Freedom to me has always been about getting outdoors and travelling. The ease of free camping, getting to those off-grid spots, and exploring what they have to offer. With Lotus Caravans, it makes it so easy.”

Rory and Bel recently picked up their brand-new Trooper, and it’s opened up even more possibilities for family adventures. “I’ll admit, towing a caravan of that size scared me at first,” Rory laughs. “But Lotus have thought of everything. The safety pin and anti-sway system are huge for me. And with REDARC, having such a powerful system that can run off-grid, especially with young kids, they can escape the heat or cold and have that little bit more comfort with high-spec features, no matter where we are.”

The Trooper makes life on the road simple, especially with three young children in tow. “We’re big on simple living. Less distractions, more time outdoors,” Rory explains. “I love cooking outside, and the pull-out kitchen is perfect. And we love music. If we’re alone somewhere, we like to play our music a little louder, and the Fusion external sound system is awesome for that.”

Rory’s love for the outdoors is something every Australian can relate to. Whether it’s a caravan park by the beach, exploring Australia’s best-kept secret off road spots, or simply slowing down and reconnecting with nature, the simple life is what draws many of us in.

“A lot of people think once you’ve got kids, you lose that freedom to adventure,” Rory says. “But it’s not true. With a bit of planning and the right caravan, it’s easy. The kids love it too. They sleep better, they’re outside all day, and life is so simple. Being immersed in nature does something to the human body, and that’s why we keep chasing those memories.”

Whether you’re a seasoned caravanner or dreaming of your next big trip, take it from Rory –  life’s too short not to chase those moments. With Lotus Caravans, the adventure is yours for the taking. Start your journey by designing your perfect caravan with Lotus Caravans today.