Born and bred in Wanaka, Mr Trevathan never did the typical Kiwi overseas experience in his youth.
"I had everything here I wanted - the hunting, the fishing, the outdoor living," he said this week.
He has no idea what to expect from two job interviews he has lined up for later this month in Toowoomba, 127km inland from Brisbane.
But for various reasons he is trading in the lifestyle he loves.
He has also resigned from his 14-year-old role as fire chief with the Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade, to which he has belonged for 30 years.
The main reason was his ankles, Mr Trevathan said.
"I had a good yarn with my surgeon last night and he is taking my case to a conference to discuss."
Mr Trevathan hopes a better climate will reduce the agony experienced during cold weather and from being on his feet all day and heavy lifting - something he does every day as a contract supplier for OnGas.
Another temptation is the money that can be earned, as drivers in Australia are offered much more than their counterparts in New Zealand.
The OnGas business has enough work for one man but not two. Mr Trevathan's young cousin, Blair Trevathan, works for him and will continue the service while Mr Trevathan is away.
"There is not a lot of full-time work around the area so that is why we have to look a wee bit further afield ... but what it comes back to is health. If I can get over there and be 90% better than I am, that would be great," Mr Trevathan said.
He is being interviewed for a position as a driver and another as a digger operator.
One is a fly-in, fly-out quarry job digging road aggregate for mines. The other job is carting equipment to new gas fields.
Mr Trevathan's wife, Heather, is staying in Wanaka, and their only child, Dane (23), works as a mechanic in a Perth goldmine.
Mr Trevathan said he would miss the brigade and helping people out, so would put his hand up for service in Australia, should work make it possible.
His uncle, Ray, was a founding brigade member and his father, Gid, an early member.
It was tougher getting recruits now because of the time taken off work to go to calls.
When he started, there were about 16 emergencies a year.
Now there are about 150 - an average of two a week - and many are road-crash rescues.
A recent Fire Service audit showed the volunteers took on average seven minutes to get to the accident or fire after being called, which was very good, he said.
"I think I will just miss the guys and girls who are in the team. They are a really good bunch to be involved with. But I don't know if I will miss that hooter going off," he said.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Bruno Galloway will be acting chief until a replacement is found.
