The ‘Big Lap’ – you know you’d love to do it!

A ‘big lap’ around this wonderful country

It’s a rite of passage…. the big lap around this wonderful country. And like the saying goes, when was the best time to go? 10 years ago. When’s the next best time to go? Right now! But what do you need to consider before you take the plunge….and believe us, there’s quite a lot!

1. Firstly, how long are you planning on going for? Things to consider are:

• • Do you need to sell your home, are you looking to rent it out (and if so, what will you do with your belongings), would you leave it empty or would you look for a house sitter?
  • Are you still working? If so, will you resign, take paid leave, take leave without pay?
  • How are you planning on funding the trip? Do you have savings? Or will you need to pick up work along the way?
  • Do you have other responsibilities eg? Elderly parents, or children and grandchildren? If so, who can help with them while you are away? And what’s your contingency if you need to come back at short notice?

2. When are you planning on leaving?
   • Are you heading North for the Winter? Or South for the Summer?
   • What’s the usual weather patterns for that time of year and what do you need to consider? Eg. Wet season, snow season, storm season, bushfire season, drought
   • When do school holidays fall and will you need to book camps in advance?
   • Will there be any closures you need to plan for? Eg. Is it off-season where you are heading? Will attractions and facilities be open? Are there seasonal closures? Eg. Simpson Desert Parks closed from 1 December to 15 March each year
   • Will it be peak travel time when you plan to visit certain areas? Eg. Places like Broome can book out well in advance
   • Are you planning on travelling clockwise or anti clockwise and does it matter? Some people argue that traveling anti-clockwise is more fuel efficient as prevailing winds will generally be behind you…but the jury may still be out on that argument. The important thing is that you get out there, whichever way you go.

3. Do you have pets and are they coming too?
   • This takes some extra planning – as not all caravan parks, camp sites and rest areas allow pets
   • Are you planning on camping in National Parks – have you thought about what will you do with your furry friend?
   • Are they up to date with their health checks and vaccinations?
   • Do you have enough of their medications (if required) for the trip? Or will you need to get prescriptions filled along the way?
   • If they are elderly, would they be happier staying at home? Or would they pine without you?
     
     
4. Free camping or paying for accommodation?

• Free camping can be just that…. free…. but you may need to consider (check out our blog on free camping for a more extensive list!):
  • Will you need to be self-sufficient in order to stay there eg. Own shower and toilet, with a grey water tank plumbed in? Some sites specify this as a requirement to stay
  • Will you be able to get a spot? Many of these facilities fill up quickly so space is a premium
  • Are there limits on how long you can stay there? Some specify a maximum number of nights you can stay
  • Are there facilities nearby? Dump points, groceries, pub?
  • If you’re traveling solo, are there other travellers close by for security purposes?
  • Is it a free camp or a truck stop? Being mindful and respectful of truck rest areas is important – truck drivers need to be able to access these areas so make sure you do the right thing and only camp in areas that specifically allow RV’s
    
    
• Paid accommodation:
  • Prices for caravan parks can vary – especially during peak seasons and school holidays – so you need to budget for these increases
  • Depending on time of year, you might find limits to the number of nights available – especially around school and public holidays, which can vary from state to state
  • Caravan Parks are great places to do washing, charge batteries, have (longer) hot showers, take a break – but chances are you will be on a site in close proximity to others – some people like this idea, some people don’t – so be mindful of what your preference is

5. What type of caravan or camper?
   • Do you already have a van or camper? If so, do you think you will be comfortable spending extended periods of time living out of it? If not, do you need to upgrade it?
   • You’ll be taking everything including the kitchen sink – is it still within its weight limits when you are fully loaded? Do you need a weight check?
   • Do you have your own shower and toilet? Of if not, do you realistically think you can travel without one?
   • If you’re planning on doing some more remote travel, have you considered your water supply? Do you have/need a water tank? And how many litres does it hold? Will that be enough for drinking, cooking, cleaning, washing etc
   • Is it a road vehicle, semi-off road, off road? Where are you heading and are you going to want some off-road capabilities? Will your insurance cover travel on dirt or non-gazetted roads if it’s a road van?
   • Have you considered worst case scenario situations eg. Extended periods of rain, extreme temperatures – do you have somewhere to shelter from the elements if required?

6. Preparing your van or camper
   • When’s the last time you had a major service? Make sure you have a full inspection and service before you go!
   • Have a weight check once you are fully loaded! If you’re overweight and have an accident, your insurance may not pay! Additionally, if you are pulled up by police or Department of Transport and found to be overloaded, then you could be facing a hefty fine and be taken off the road until it’s rectified!
   • How old are your tyres? Just because they may not have many kms on them, doesn’t mean that they haven’t deteriorated – being exposed to elements can cause damage to tyres that make them unsafe and unroadworthy. An inspection of your tyres is included as part of your service – so be prepared to update them if needed
   • How many spare tyres are you carrying? If you are planning on a lot of remote travelling, having 2 spares is a must!
   • Have you done a ‘shake down’ trip? These are great so that you can manage the practicalities of your set up and have the opportunities to rearrange and repack as necessary
   • Less is more when it comes to packing – review what you are taking and cull any non-essentials! It’s amazing what you can manage to live without

7. Parks passes and other permits required
   • Travelling through some areas may require passes or permits – and in many cases you may be required to pre-book these and have printed copies available for presentation to rangers if required eg. Desert Parks Pass for South Australia – they send out a Desert Parks book that you need to carry with you while travelling through so you will need to be able to have an address for this to be sent to + you need a hard copy of your permit available for inspection if requested so will need access to printing facilities
   • If you are planning on travelling through Indigenous Communities you may be required to seek permission prior to your arrival – also be mindful of travelling through ‘dry’ areas – there can be huge fines for travellers caught with alcohol brought into these communities
   • Some states (eg. NSW) require payment for entry into National Parks – depending on how long you are planning on traveling for and where you are going, buying annual passes to these may be a more convenient option
   • Traveling to Tasmania? Have you booked your ferry ride? These book out well in advance, so make sure you lock your dates in early!
   • Caravan Park memberships can help you save. Check out the member parks for the areas you plan to travel to. Many offer discounts and vouchers. You could try:
     • Discovery Parks | Holiday Parks, Cabins & Camping Australia (discoveryholidayparks.com.au)
     • BIG4 Holiday Parks | Official Booking Site | Book Direct and Save
     • Best Australian Caravan Parks | Kui Parks | Holiday Park
     • G’day Parks | Holiday Parks, Cabins & Camping Australia (gdayparks.com.au)
     • Welcome to Family Parks | Holiday Parks in Australia & New Zealand
     • Travel | RACQ
     • Travel services from NRMA

8. Factoring in potential big-ticket items eg. Scenic flights, tours etc

• For most people, doing this trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity so you want to make sure you get to see absolutely everything on your bucket list – whether it be a flight over Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre), a boat trip across the Horizontal Falls, buying a pink diamond in Kunanurra or a couple of nights at El Questro – make sure you budget for these special experiences

9. Your health and fitness level
   • Traveling for extended periods can be grueling on your body – especially if you are driving long distances. Making sure you are in good health before you go gives you the best chance of having an enjoyable time! Also, being mindful of resting and stretching regularly while on long drives will ensure that you don’t ‘seize’ due to long periods of inactivity.
   • There are some amazing natural attractions to see around the country – many of these involve walking or climbing to see them. It would be a shame to miss out on these because of your fitness level. Reaching a reasonable level of fitness prior to leaving will mean that you will be able to enjoy all of the sights, no matter how (in)accessible they are!

10. The 6-week blues
    • We often hear stories from people about the ‘6 week’ hiccough….so being mindful and prepared for this may help ease the stress. The first couple of weeks are fun and exciting and it’s all about the adventure. But at about the 6-week mark, the realities of living in confined spaces with limited luxuries can cause some cracks to show. The good news is that in most cases, this soon passes – especially as you find your rhythm on the road.
    • Periods of change are always a challenging time – so make sure you take the time to relax, take some time for you – and understand that you’re in it together and probably both feel the same way!

 

And these are just some of the things to think about BEFORE you get to planning your itinerary!!

It’s an adventure of a lifetime to be sure! But with some pre-planning and forethought you can make it a trip to remember – for all of the right reasons!