When Australians consider moving overseas there are a few places that generally always come to mind: Europe, America, Canada. Uruguay, however, isn't often one of them.

For former Queensland grazier Matt Simmons though, it was a career in live export which first introduced him to Latin America.

"I did a bit of work in Brazil, across to Turkey and Egypt," he said.

"I just saw a completely new culture to what we knew, and slower pace of life."

Mr Simmons, his wife Kym, and five children moved from Clarafield Station, south of Julia Creek in north-west Queensland, to Townsville in 2016, where he first took up work in the live-export sector.

"I went back, and I told Kym stories about my travelling and it ignited a bit of a travel bug again," Mr Simmons said.

"Julia Creek was a very special time in our lives. When we moved to Townsville, we didn't have that. That made the decision to move again not seem as drastic.

"So, we made the decision, purchased some tickets, and flew into Brazil."

Australia to Uruguay

The family of seven — the youngest child being just two at the time — arrived in Brazil a little over two years ago with nothing more than a couple of suitcases.

"We didn't really have anything lined up," Mr Simmons said.

While the Simmons family live in Uruguay, they still call Australia home. ( Supplied: Matt Simmons )

"Originally we wanted to stay in Brazil but unfortunately it was a bit harder than we thought for Australians to gain a long-term visa."

The family travelled through Brazil for six months, before moving on to Argentina and, eventually, Uruguay.

"We came across Colonia, which is on the west coast of Uruguay, it's a touristy area, and [there we found] a small, 12-room bed and breakfast on five hectares just outside the city that we fell in love with the very first time we set foot on the property," Mr Simmons said.

"We bought it [in February 2019] and had to do a couple of months' work to get it to a state where we could accept guests.

"Each day, we're talking to people from all over the world."

The challenges

The B&B needed a little bit of work to get it up to standard. ( Supplied: Matt Simmons )

Mr Simmons said the four older children had adjusted particularly well to their new schooling — which is delivered in Spanish.

"There's a little rural school literally 200 metres from our house across a little country road," he said.

The parents believe growing up near Julia Creek, and beginning schooling via distance through Mount Isa School of the Air helped with the transition.

"I really think that helped develop the way they socialise with people now in person as well," Mr Simmons said.

"We've been amazed at how flexible they are. They've taken to everything we've done with an open attitude, willing to adjust and make the most of each experience."

Ms Simmons said the language barrier also hadn't proven as difficult for the young ones.

"It's definitely much harder when you're older," she said.

"Our kids are fluent, and we're still struggling, but it's fun."

But the family admits there are some minor culinary drawbacks to life in Latin America.

"The only thing lacking is the Vegemite," Mr Simmons said.

All five children listed Tim Tams, Milo and meat pies as their missed Aussie favourites.

The future

Uruguay is a long way from the family's former property near Julia Creek. ( Supplied: Matt Simmons )

Mr Simmons said the family didn't know when they planned on moving back to Australia, but said it would always be their true home.

"We don't know how long we'll be here but we're just ensuring we're making the most of the experience as it is now," he said.

"After that, we don't know where we're going to go, but I don't think we'll end up back in Julia Creek.

"We still have family out there. We still love the area. Definitely my eldest son is always asking which uncle he can go to to help work with on the holidays.