BEN Hannant’s move to Townsville is finally complete.

The North Queensland Cowboys prop has been joined by his young family at their new Townsville home, with wife Emma and children Kye, 9, Ella, 7 Mia, 5, Brax, 3, and Ava, 1, settling into the tropics on Monday.

While admitting to a few nerves about starting life in new surroundings, Hannant is also embracing the adventure that lies ahead.

“It’s starting to feel like home,” he said.

“The kids were excited but nervous as well, I mean they’ve got nearly 50 cousins on the Gold Coast.

“But the last couple of days have been great.

“And we’ve had the bikes out in the cul-de-sac, made new friends and things are going really well for the family.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how nice and welcoming everyone is, and not only that, but how much there is to do in Townsville and you can see that the kids are enjoying this new home.”

A 193-game National Rugby League player, Hannant is set to play a key role in North Queensland’s premiership campaign, having signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys last year after leaving the Brisbane Broncos.

He shifted to Townsville for the start of pre-season training without his family, although he flew down south every weekend as his children finished the school year.

The Hannant family have shifted away from home before, with Hannant based in Sydney with the Roosters in 2005 and also with the Bulldogs from 2009 to 2010.

But with five children now in the family, this move has been the most challenging.

Nothing is more important to Hannant than family, however, and they are helping him train and play towards a bright new future.

“As much as there’s times you want to rip your hair out, you’re struggling to get to work, there’s sick kids and kids playing up – you just make do,” Hannant said.

“I think all players can say their wives are the best ­example of that, and it makes us realise what we have to do, that no matter how tough it is at work, we have to get the job done.

“That’s one thing that’s helped me out with my career, that there’s more to life than just football.

“I think being a parent is where life really started for me, and I realised there was a lot more than just me in life.

“And I guess that helps with footy too.”

Hannant finds his outlet riding motorbikes, and he is particular fond of his Victory cruiser.

He rides it everywhere, whether it be to training or a quick trip to the corner store.

“I love that freedom and having some time to myself,” Hannant said.

“As soon as you get home you’re running kids to sport, school, activities, tutoring, you name it.

“I love getting on the ring road and the backstreets just cruising around … I haven’t even organised a car for myself up here yet.”

His other outlet is religion, having been a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life.

Just recently he went to Papua New Guinea with the church to help the less ­fortunate.

“We don’t go to church because we think we’re perfect,” Hannant said.

“It’s the total opposite – we go because we’re not perfect and we make mistakes, but we try and improve every day and help other people.

“That’s something that’s always helped me strive to keep doing the right thing.”