The Road Trip by Tricia Stringer

Two caravans, four adults and a journey through Australia’s heart – the trip of a lifetime, right? Wrong. A wise take on the joys of travel with those you might dislike the most but love the best.

Sharyn Tregonning wanted a holiday somewhere glamorous for her 60th birthday. So when her husband Barry surprises her with a caravan trip from Adelaide to Broome, she is furious – and bitterly disappointed. Even worse, Barry’s annoying friend Ray, and Ray’s reclusive frumpy sister Kathleen are coming along.

It’s true that Kathleen Allenby has become a recluse. As the end-of-life carer for three family members (and at war with her mean neighbours) she has become anxious. She doesn’t expect this trip to offer her much. Sharyn has always looked down on her, and Kathleen has never liked her (or her bitchy friends).

But as a series of mishaps and accidents, overflowing toilets and destination disagreements test boundaries and fray tempers, the two women share a bottle of gin and begin to bond over the highs and lows of caravan life and their irritation with their menfolk as they travel through the magnificent Kimberly towards magical Broome. When a dead body surfaces at a luxe resort, it brings their grudges and hurts out into the open, and the women realise that it’s not just the men’s future – or behaviour – that needs to change.

About the Author: Tricia Stringer is a bestselling and multiple award-winning author. Her books include contemporary fiction, rural romances and historical sagas set in Australian communities past and present.Tricia grew up on a farm in country South Australia and has spent most of her life in rural communities as the owner of a post office and bookshop, and as a teacher and librarian. She lives on the traditional lands of the Narungga people in the beautiful Copper Coast region and shares her passion for the country and its people through her authentic stories and their vivid characters.

For further information and to sign up for her quarterly newsletter go to triciastringer.com or connect with Tricia on Facebook or Instagram @triciastringerauthor

30 Sep 2025
 

The Road Trip: a family holiday goes wrong in the new 2025 novel from an beloved, bestselling Australian author by Tricia Stringer ISBN 9781867247760