Family Sells Everything to Travel Australia for a Better Life, Only to Face Their Worst Nightmare
A family who sold everything to pursue their dream of traveling across Australia has been left devastated and virtually homeless after being “ghosted” by a caravan company that failed to deliver on their promises.
The Pope family, from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, decided in 2022 to embrace a life of adventure. Alison Pope, her husband, and their three children set out to explore the vast landscapes of Australia, living in their caravan as they made unforgettable memories together. For two years, their journey was filled with the joys of freedom and discovery. However, in early 2024, they decided it was time to upgrade to a new caravan to enhance their travel experience.
They received a quote from Tango Caravans, a company that appeared reputable and promised a custom-built caravan. Enticed by what they thought was a good deal, the Popes paid a 10% deposit in April 2024, amounting to thousands of dollars, and were assured the caravan would be completed in 8–10 weeks. Confident in their decision, they sold their existing caravan and packed their remaining belongings into a shipping container, moving in temporarily with family while waiting for their new home on wheels.
By May 2024, the company informed the family that the caravan’s construction was progressing well and asked them to pay the remaining balance of AUD 80,000 (£40,000). Trusting the company, the Popes made the full payment. However, their trust was quickly shattered when communication from Tango Caravans abruptly ceased. Phone calls and emails went unanswered, and on the rare occasions they managed to reach someone, they were met with vague promises of follow-ups that never came.
As weeks turned into months, the family found themselves stuck in expensive short-term accommodations, quickly depleting their savings. In August 2024, they connected with other customers who had also been left in the lurch by Tango Caravans. Together, they uncovered the harsh reality: Tango Caravans had gone into liquidation, and their hard-earned money was gone.
Further investigation revealed the depth of the scandal. The Popes discovered that no manufacturers had been contracted to build their caravan—it was never going to be made. To make matters worse, Tango Caravans had been operating while insolvent since at least March 2023, using customer deposits to cover the company’s expenses rather than fulfilling orders. When the company collapsed, it owed AUD 3.2 million (£1.6 million) to 85 creditors, with 60 customers losing a collective AUD 2 million (£1 million).
The Popes were heartbroken, describing the experience as “devastating.” They had lost not only their money but also their dream of continuing their journey around Australia. Adding to their frustration, the liquidation report confirmed they would not recover any of their money.
Despite the immense setback, the Pope family is determined to rebuild their lives. They’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a new caravan, hoping to one day resume their travels and make new memories.
Their story has become a cautionary tale about the risks of trusting companies without thorough research, reminding others to be vigilant when making significant financial commitments. The Popes remain hopeful that their resilience and the generosity of others will help them move past this ordeal and reclaim their dream.
