From Adventure Seeker To Life Teacher - John Kostakis

Meet John, Father, devoted outdoor adventurer and our Head of IT here at Rhino-Rack. With a love for adventure that spans from the lava fields of Hawaii to the glaciers of New Zealand, John has always had a deep passion for the great outdoors. Now, as a father, he finds joy in sharing these experiences with his family. Whether it’s a weekend camping trip or a picnic in the park, John makes it a priority to stay connected with the outdoors, creating lasting memories and instilling this same sense of adventure in his kids.

Introduce yourself and tell us about what you do for work and/or fun?

I’m John and the head of IT here at Rhino Rack. I enjoy the outdoors whether it be camping, fishing, hiking or just spending time with my family in nature. Prior to our children, I hiked the lava fields of Big Island Hawaii, hiked the glaciers of New Zealand and have always been adventurous and on the go.

How do you Make Space For Adventure while being a Father? What changes have you made to your activities after becoming a Father?

Making Space For Adventure is more difficult since having a young family however, we always ensure we’re doing something outside. This looks like catching a ferry to spend time in the city, going on a gentle 4x4 track, a quick weekend getaway, kicking a ball outside, walking to the park and having a picnic or, just having a campfire after dinner, roasting marshmallows while the kids run around.

Tell us about an adventure you’ve taken your kids on?

We love the outdoors, especially our youngest. One thing that comes to mind is our road trip to Mudgee earlier this year. Driving along the country roads, breathing in the crisp air during the day and rugging up by a campfire of an evening. The kids ran around the paddocks and enjoyed seeing the alpacas and kangaroos.

Why is continuing to be adventurous with your kids important to you?

It helps make core moments and memories for our children. Keeping active and healthy is a priority for our family and being adventurous fits into this lifestyle.

What essential gear do you carry? How does Rhino-Rack fit into your adventure - what gear has helped? Any packing or gear tips for other Fathers?

I never go anywhere without my Max Trax or recovery straps. They are always on my car. Even on adventures where you don’t think you will use them, they come in handy. Like saving your in laws from being bogged, in their sedan at a Mudgee winery.

Having young children has meant limited cabin space when on a road trip. The storage pods have been a life saver and fit perfectly on my pioneer platform and we now never travel without it.

What message do you want to share with Fathers this Father’s Day?

Enjoy every moment with your children. They grow too quickly. Put your phone down, enjoy the small moments, make those memories and teach them that the sky is the limit.

How do you balance your role as a Father with other aspects of your life, such as work or personal hobbies?

Work life balance isn’t an easy thing to accomplish, and I am not always great at it but, having a supportive wife helps. I love tinkering with different things, and I try and involve our 3 year old and 13 month old as much as possible. Having two boys keeps me on my toes and although time is limited for myself, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I look forward to the boys being a bit older and taking them on camping trips around Australia with my wife and travelling overseas.