Shane Wilson – Round-the-World Traveler

Shane Wilson is a 31-year-old school administrator from Carnarvon, Australia, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2005.

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2005
• Age at departure: 31
• Nationality: Australia
• Location: Carnarvon, Australia
• Duration: 6-12 months
• Occupation: School Administrator
• Original budget: $28,000 (approximately USD 44,000 in 2026 dollars)
• Regions: Southeast Asia, Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, North America, Oceania

The Route

Perth to Singapore, overland to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, an overland group tour to Nairobi, Madrid, overland to Amsterdam and London, Lima, an overland group tour to La Paz, Santiago, an overland group tour to Rio de Janeiro, New York, Denver, overland to San Francisco, Honolulu, Sydney, Melbourne, and back home to Perth.

In Their Words

Here's what Shane Wilson shared about their RTW journey:

Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?

It’s my career.

Have you traveled around the world before?

Yes.

Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?

I have 6 months Long Service Leave from my job. I look forward to immersing myself in different cultures, meeting heaps of people, and having a very fun and relaxing holiday away from the grind of my day to day job.

What is your biggest fear about this trip?

I feel as though I might not have enough time in SE Asia and Europe. I only wish I could take 12 months off, but can only afford 7 months (due to storage, financial situations, and commitments in Australia).

Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?

I think they may be a bit envious. My mum would love to meet up with me in either Europe or N.America. My work colleagues are very interested.

How much planning and preparing have you done?

Just enough.

What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?

I’ve yet to find a comfortable, well organised and spatious backpack. But I’m looking. I’m still in the process of researching internet sites to find the most important things to take. The most indispensable items will be passport, ATM cards, US cash and traveller’s cheques. Everything else can be found in the countries I visit.

2026 Context

• Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of $28,000 would equate to approximately USD 44,000 in 2026 purchasing power.