THEY call it the Dog House of Courage ... and there's no doubting that parents Ben and Toni Wilson have plenty of pluck.

The Victorian couple and their six young children are four months into an adventure of a lifetime in their tiny 9ft home on wheels, which they have dubbed with the appropriate name.

Painter Ben (41) and 33-year-old former child care worker Toni say the trip could take up to three years.

Caravanning News caught up with the intrepid travellers at Mullumbimby in New South Wales after they had spent a day exploring mainland Australia's most easterly point and lighthouse at Byron Bay.

"We have always wanted to go round Australia and if we don't do it now we never will," Toni explained. "The kids are getting older and we wanted to do it before they said no!"

Ben and Toni bought their Jayco Finch expanda on e-Bay, sold up and in January waved farewell to neighbours and friends before excitedly climbing aboard their Toyota Tarago and heading off for a new life on the road.

And it seems Hannah (12), Ruben (10), Samuel (8), Joel (4), Sophie (3) and Jessica (18 months) are all loving their nomadic lifestyle.

"There's something new to see every day," Toni explained. "We are planning to go right round Australia and it could be for one, two or three years. However long it takes!"

Although things sometimes became little hectic with six young children the family was coping well, she said.

"Sometimes it does get a bit much with all of us running around, but if we stay organised we are fine."

Toni explained how the youngsters each had their own individual 'day bag' containing essential possessions needed on their travels, such as games and beach towels.

Home schooling, which took two to three hours a day, was an important routine.

"Once that's done we get on with the day. At the end of their workbook they do a test every three weeks and I have to send that back. They have to get 80 percent marks," she added.

Their travels have so far taken them to Tasmania and up the coast of New South Wales.

The family is looking forward to seeing Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. "And we particularly want to go to Broome as well ... we have always wanted to go there," Toni said.

"Our friends are excited for us but they don't know whether they could do it themselves. They follow us closely on Facebook."

Ben and Toni said the most difficult part of their journey so far had been finding somewhere to stay without having to fork out $80 or more a night.

"Caravan parks are just not an option for us so we often stay at rest stops and behind petrol stations, but we obey the rules. If it says no camping, we don't go there," Toni explained.

"We cope very well with our small home and fortunately everybody gets on very well with each other. There is our bed, the girls' bed and another for the boys."

She described how other caravanners were sometimes "mortified" when they saw the family of six young children pull up.

"But we don't have too many problems. Sometimes we get really good reactions and have met some really nice people who take us on board," Toni added.

The apt name adorning the rear of the Wilson family's 9ft home on wheels