Beating thousands of hopefuls Australia-wide, Cairns-based ‘AdventureMumma’ Kate Richards and her family of four were chosen to embark on a 13-week expenses-paid trip down the east coast of Australia in the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s show-stopping Pink Minnie Caravan as part of the Dometic Follow the Sun tour.

Premium leisure product company Dometic has partnered with the NBCF to raise $100,000 for life-changing breast cancer research during this year’s Follow the Sun tour.

Ms Richards, her husband Rob Mitchell and their children Josh and Charlie are excited to support the cause through fundraising during their trip.

They departed Cairns on August 1 and have travelled through outback Queensland and Northern NSW on their way to the Hunter Valley.

Their next stops are the Blue Mountains and Canberra, and the tour will wrap up in Melbourne at the end of October.

“We’re a family who loves adventure and a good road trip, so heading through Australia to meet new people and raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research is a dream come true,” Ms Richards said.

The family visited Hunter Valley Gardens and Maitland Gaol while in town.

One of the highlights of their journey has been hosting ‘happy hours’ with the locals, which have added more than $6000 towards the fundraising total.

About 20 people joined the family for happy hour at Big4 Hunter Valley on Thursday, where they enjoyed free drinks and nibblies, wine tasting, prize giveaways and tales of the family’s adventure so far.

Ms Richards said she was really impressed with the support of the local community, businesses and the caravan park itself.

To follow the Pink Minnie caravan’s journey or to make a donation, head to www.dometicfollowthesun.com.au.