The digital nomad lifestyle for Australians over 50

Written by Natalie Reilly for Australian Seniors

It was 2012 when Alyson Long decided to leave her rambling house in Brisbane, Queensland to explore the world with her husband, James, and their two small boys. “I’ve been a keen traveller all my life,” says the former chief biomedical scientist turned writer, of her decision to hit the wide-open road. “We wanted to further the kids’ education through travel, and to spend more time as a family.”

At first, the Longs supported themselves with some money they’d saved, and later the income generated by Alyson’s website enabled them to visit far-flung places while Alyson, now 60, worked remotely, homeschooling the boys while James, 50, an experienced executive chef, took on the occasional stint in five-star hotels.

These days, the Long family are based on a five-acre homestead in Far North Queensland but Alyson still travels for a few months every year. “Most of my trips are with one or both of my now adult kids,” she says, nominating Japan, Borneo, Bhutan, and rural NSW among a handful of places she’s visited in the last couple of years. “Occasionally James and I get a week or two solo, leaving the boys in charge.”

Related: How one couple embraces the grey nomad lifestyle working on the road

Freedom finders

And it seems the Longs are not alone. “We’re seeing more people in their 50s and 60s taking the leap into digital nomad life,” says Kylie Baullo, general manager Australia, New Zealand, and Japan for HR company ADP. “Often, they’re consultants, writers, or professionals who’ve built up years of experience and now want more freedom.”

For some, it’s about lifestyle and travel; for others, a chance to keep working on their own terms. But just like Alyson, not everyone is on the move constantly. “In Australia, plenty of workers still keep a home base,” says Kylie. “ADP’s People at Work 2023 research found that about 30% of Aussie workers think they could live overseas and keep their job, but among those over 55, that drops to around 9%. So the interest is there, but it’s more cautious among older age groups.”

Still, the trend is growing. In 2025, the number of digital nomads worldwide was estimated to be between 40 and 50 million. This is largely due to the normalisation of remote work since the pandemic as well as advances in digital technology (hello Zoom), but visa reforms in some countries have also played a part.

And rather than being a 20-something hostel hopper, the average age of a digital nomad in 2025 is 36, with those aged between 50 and 60 making up almost 25% of the whole.

It’s a demographic that can bring its own challenges, ageing parents among them. “A lot of my travel time today involves going home to the UK, where my dad who is almost 90 lives,” says Alyson. “We feel the clock ticking and try to spend as much time with family as possible.” But the Longs make it work by breaking up the trip, stopping at Singapore, Bali, or Thailand for a few days or weeks on the way.

Related: Top tips for travelling long term in retirement

Day-to-day life as a digital nomad

After she wakes at around 6am, Alyson can spend up to 16 hours some days on her website, and the rest of her time is usually spent caring for the 60-plus animals on her farm and nutting out the details of the next trip. “We do all of our planning around the best flights, best days, and cheapest routes,” she explains, though there are exceptions.

“I really wanted to stay at a particular luxury hotel in Singapore on the last trip, so we did, but mostly we found cheaper, characterful hotels and guest houses. We book everything ourselves and stay flexible. You don’t need travel agents, we haven’t used one since 2001.”

Kylie agrees that planning and careful research is key after striking that deal with your employer. “Looking into tax rules, insurance, and even internet reliability is important to note before you visit any country.” But the advantages are clear, she says. “You get to design your lifestyle, and many find that very rewarding.” The downside? “The lines between work and leisure can blur, and it can feel isolating if you’re not careful.”

But that doesn’t seem to be a problem for Alyson. “I’ve been travelling with my best friends: my kids and husband. I can’t think of any real challenges, other than financial ones,” she says, adding that she has no regrets about upending her world 13 years ago. “It’s a wonderful life. Just stay fit, stay curious, practise gratitude, and have fun.” 

Travel Trends for Australians over 50

The Australian Seniors Series: Grey Gap Year Report 2025 finds:

• 40% of over 50s travel with family members from different generations
• 61% of multigenerational trips are to spend quality time with family
• 41% are to create shared memories