Most people dream of putting their feet up in retirement. Not Damian Smith. After closing the book on 50 years as a pharmacist, he hit the road with his wife Lyn in their caravan and immediately ran into one of those frustrating problems that everyone knows all too well–the quest for a portable camping BBQ.
“You love the taste of a good kettle BBQ,” laughs Damian, “but they’re a pain to deal with. Heavy as anything, take up half your storage space, and don’t get me started on lugging gas bottles around.”
Sound familiar? If you’ve ever wrestled a traditional BBQ in and out of a caravan compartment, or cursed under your breath trying to find space for yet another gas bottle, you’ll appreciate what happened next.
Instead of just grumbling about it like the rest of us, Damian, who comes from a long line of practical bushmen, decided to do something about it. Four years and countless prototypes later, he’s created what might just be every traveller’s dream: a proper kettle portable camping BBQ that is also light and easy to stow.
“I couldn’t switch my brain off in retirement,” admits Damian. “Lyn and I were loving life on the road, but I kept thinking there had to be a better way to cook outdoors without all the hassle.”
Compact Cooking
His Adventure-Q Kettle BBQ, which he dubs the “Rolls-Royce”, works exactly like the kettle BBQs we’ve always loved, with one crucial difference. The entire setup packs away into a compact bag that can be stored just about anywhere.
“It’s not just smaller,” explains Damian. “You can use the Adventure-Q on a variety of heat sources – gas, induction, or electric hotplates – giving you flexibility whether you’re cooking outdoors or at home. It even works in your home oven, so it’s a versatile option you can rely on all year round.”
The real test came during their travels around Australia. Using a cable-tied cooking pan as his first iteration, caravanners would stop by their campsite, curious about the unusual cooking setup. Word spread quickly, and you know how it is when someone finds a genuinely useful bit of kit.
The timing couldn’t be better. With more Australians than ever embracing the caravan lifestyle, especially retirees seeking adventure, the demand for smarter, more practical travel gear has never been higher.
What started as one man’s retirement project has become a thriving family business. Granddaughter Hayley, grandson-in-law Wilson, and daughter-in-law Aom have all joined the venture, turning Damian’s backyard tinkering into a genuine Aussie success story.
“It’s been quite the journey,” reflects Damian. “From running pharmacies to designing BBQs, it’s not exactly what I expected retirement to look like, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The Adventure-Q is just the beginning. Damian’s also developed a clever Bush Kettle that boils water over twigs and sticks (perfect for those who really want to get back to basics), or even indoors over a gas stove—plus a range of travel comfort products born from years of long-haul adventures.
“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” says Damian. “We’re just making travel a bit easier, a bit more comfortable, and a lot more enjoyable.”
For a bloke who thought retirement meant slowing down, Damian Smith has never been busier, or happier.
“Best thing about it is we get to test everything on our own adventures. It’s tough work, but someone’s got to do it.”
The BBQ and the entire Adventure-Q range are available now through the Daymo website