From Sydney to Bali: How One Family Turned a “Gap Year” Into Their Forever Home

When Caroline and Sean first reached out about moving to Bali, the plan wasn’t permanent. It was meant to be a break a possible gap year, a reset, a chance to slow down with their three young children, Kit, Minnie, and Wolf. They loved Sydney, but life had become fast, overwhelming, and consumed by business stress. They craved something different: more time, more presence, more connection, and a chance for their kids to truly just be kids.

They arrived in Bali in September last year. One year later, their “maybe” move has turned into their forever home, and in that time, they’ve built not only a beautiful family life but also three new businesses and a deep connection to their community.

This is their story, exactly as they shared it.

The Life They Left Behind

Back in Sydney, Caroline and Sean ran their own businesses while juggling school schedules, extracurriculars, and the constant rush of city life. As Caroline describes it: “Sydney was very fast-paced. We were on the go constantly — work, school, activities, book week, everything.”

Time was slipping away, and with their kids still young enough to think their parents were “cool,” they didn’t want to miss the moment.

Sean added, “We wanted a different way of life for our children. We loved coming here on holidays — and thought, why not turn that into the rest of our life?”

They had some flexibility to run their Australian business from overseas, so they decided to give Bali a try.

Arriving in Bali With an Open Mind

The family began their Bali life in Canggu. The kids enrolled in an international school while Sean and Caroline explored opportunities on the island.

Something unexpected happened: they began meeting people — “older,” more established expats with families, careers, and long-term dreams — who introduced them to the world of hospitality, property, restaurants, and events in Bali.

Sean shares: “We didn’t come with a plan. But one conversation led to another. We met people in the property, hotels, and restaurants. Caroline has a hospitality background, so opportunities started coming up.”

One of these connections became their future business partner — a Swedish gentleman who has lived in Bali for 30 years, with five kids of his own. “He was a really good fit for us. Same values, same vision.”

This partnership later grew into several new businesses, now taking shape in Uluwatu.

How Our Year in Bali Supported Their Move

Before deciding to relocate, Caroline and Sean were unsure where to start. Visas, neighborhoods, schooling, housing, logistics — everything felt overwhelming. They shared openly that working with Our Year in Bali, and specifically with Simone, made the entire transition possible.

As they explained: “We absolutely wouldn’t have been able to do this without Simone’s help.”

From the earliest planning stages, Simone guided them through the practicalities of relocating, the cultural differences they needed to understand, and the important steps families often overlook. She helped them navigate what to prepare, what to avoid, and how Bali living differs from simply holidaying on the island. “We were overwhelmed in the beginning… Simone made it so easy.”

They said the process felt organised, clear, and reassuring, removing the stress of guesswork and giving them the confidence to settle in properly. For them, it meant they could focus on their children, their new routines, and building their life in Bali without unnecessary setbacks. “If we didn’t have Our Year in Bali guiding us, we would have missed something and ended up in trouble.”

For the family, that support was a key part of why their transition went smoothly, and why their “gap year” dream became a long-term home.

Discovering Uluwatu and Building Their Future

As they explored the island, the family slowly gravitated toward Uluwatu — a quieter, more spacious environment that felt right for raising kids. With new opportunities unfolding, they eventually settled there and began building their businesses.

Today, they have three major projects:

A Stunning Cliffside Wedding Venue – The Uluwatu. They’ve just opened their wedding venue, a breathtaking space designed to host intimate and elegant celebrations in Uluwatu.
Miss Minnie’s Pool Club A Sunday-only pool club named after their daughter, designed for families and fun.
Rockfish, a cave restaurant beneath the venue A seafood-inspired restaurant set in a natural cave space.

Despite vowing never to run another restaurant again, Caroline’s experience with successful Sydney venues made this opportunity impossible to resist. “It’s honestly the most beautiful venue we’ve ever been involved in. We couldn’t say no.”

The Beauty of Balinese Culture

One of the biggest highlights for the whole family has been their relationship with the local community.

Caroline shares: “Balinese people are the most beautiful people. Especially when you have children — they’re so family- and community-minded. It instills such great values in the kids.”

The children adore their Balinese teachers, neighbors, and the staff who have become like an extended family.

Sean adds, “They really embrace you. Being away from family and friends is hard, but here it feels like we’ve gained another family.” Their builder, for example, regularly takes the kids on motorbike rides and includes them in daily life, something they consider a gift.

Homeschooling and Daily Life

During their first year, the kids were homeschooled due to constant moving and the lack of schools near Uluwatu at the time. The family hired a tutor named Miss Veronica, a warm and experienced teacher from Jakarta. The children adore her.

The parents say the kids have advanced enormously: “With one teacher for three kids, they’ve gone forward in leaps and bounds. There’s nowhere to hide — even our little class clowns have to do the work!”

A new school has recently opened nearby, so they may return eventually, but for now, homeschooling has been a transformational part of their Bali life.

Outdoor Living, Slow Days, and More Time Together

The biggest change of all? Time. “We save 10–15 hours a week just by not doing laundry and cooking as much. All the little things that took up so much time in Sydney are gone.”

The kids now spend their days surfing, swimming, learning Bahasa, making kites, playing outside, and enjoying the type of free, nature-filled childhood their parents dreamed of.

Caroline explains: “They’re not growing up too fast. They’re not at Westfields wanting to buy Sephora at seven. They’re outdoors. They’re not as materialistic.”

The family agrees that Bali gives their children something Sydney simply couldn’t: room to play, explore, and be kids.

The Challenges, Because Bali Isn’t Just a Holiday

Like all families who move abroad, the first months weren’t perfect. Adjusting to local food and water hit hard at first, especially for Wolf, who used to shower with his mouth open. (A habit they had to break quickly.)

Bali involves navigating different political structures, cultural norms, and administrative processes. Sean explains: “You’ve got to adapt. Coming to Bali and living in Bali are two very different things.”

They were very honest: Without guidance, they might not have made it. “We were overwhelmed. We didn’t know what we needed to do. We absolutely wouldn’t have done it without help; you’d miss something and get in trouble. You’ve got to be organised.”

The Cost of Living: Where It’s Cheaper and Where It’s Not

On average, they estimate Bali to be 30–50% cheaper overall than Sydney.

Eating locally: up to 80% cheaper
Entertainment: extremely affordable (movies are ~USD $5)
Kids’ extracurriculars: much cheaper
Rent: only 20–30% cheaper, depending on the area
Convenience services: dramatically cheaper (cleaning, laundry, drivers)

Sean summed it up: “The important stuff goes a lot further here. And we can do so much more with the kids. In Australia, things like Bounce or Airspace were special treats. Here, they can do them often.”