Planning a Big Lap of Australia with your caravan? Here’s everything you need to know — from timing and costs to routes, tech and travel tips.
A Big Lap of Australia is about as bucket-list worthy as it gets. We’ve all probably dreamed of being able to track our route around the coastline, with dips and divots to see inland gems. Doing a lap of the country is an unforgettable way to experience Australia’s wild landscapes, diverse towns and iconic attractions. But before you set off, there’s plenty of details to get organised.
Here are the key things you need to consider when planning your Big Lap of Australia with your caravan.
How much time should you allow for a Big Lap?
There’s no set time frame for doing a Big Lap — it all comes down to how long you’ve got and how much ground you want to cover. A full lap can take anywhere from six weeks to a year (or more), depending on your pace.
Following Highway 1 all around Australia is an approximately 14,500km road trip, but add at least another 1000km for detours to Darwin and other destinations not too far off the highway. So, at minimum, your total distance will be more like 15,500km.
If you’re planning to explore more inland gems (like the Red Centre, for example) and not restrain yourself to Highway 1, most travellers allow around six months to a year — three months minimum. Any less, and you might find yourself rushing through too many stops. That said, if you’re tight on time, completing shorter sections — like a half or quarter lap — can make for a great introduction to lap life.
A beautiful Top End sunset (Robert Crack)
The best time to go
Australia’s a big country and the weather varies dramatically between regions. There are lots of theories about whether it’s better to do a Big Lap clockwise or anticlockwise (many make the argument that anticlockwise makes the most of tailwinds, which means better fuel efficiency).
But there’s no right or wrong and it just comes down to where and when your Big Lap begins and how long you’re giving yourself to complete it.
6–8-month Big Lap
If you’re wanting to complete a Big Lap in under a year, then the best time of year to do it is between June and February. Most of Australia is subject to the standard four seasons, however the tropical north of Australia has only two: the wet season (roughly November to April) and the dry season (May to October).
The wet season is hot and humid, and there are frequently road and attraction closures due to heavy rainfall. Because of this, the best time to travel around the top of Australia is between June and September (well within the dry season). This leaves you to explore the rest of Australia between September and February (spring and summer), making the most of the cool coastal climate during the warmer months — although we do recommend locking Tassie in for summer to ensure you get premium outdoor weather.
The Neck of Bruny Island, Tasmania
12-month or longer Big Lap
For year-long trips, there are plenty of maps out there that suggest how you could take it a bit slower, spending multiple months exploring certain stretches of Australia’s coastline and inland regions.
The Top End of the NT is what you really need to focus on, with June-July being the most reliable time of year to complete this section of the coastline (and its nearby attractions such as Kakadu and Litchfield).
What will it cost?
This is the big one. The cost of a Big Lap depends on how long you travel, how far you go and your style of travel. For example, travellers can budget for anywhere from $350 to $2000+ per week.
Fuel is likely to be your biggest expense, especially if you’re towing a caravan. Costs can add up quickly when covering thousands of kilometres, particularly in remote areas where prices spike.
Free or low-cost camping and cooking your own meals can help keep the budget in check, while paid attractions and tours will naturally increase your weekly spend, so don’t let yourself go overboard. Make the most of low-cost attractions like national parks and other nature-based activities.
Paid attractions like the dolphins at Monkey Mia can impact your budget (Image Jade Andrews)
Apps like FuelMap, WikiCamps and a basic spreadsheet can help you keep track of costs on the go.
If you enjoy the conveniences of caravan parks, consider if a membership will be cost-effective for your trip.
Determining your budget is also a good way to determine how long you’ll take to do your Big Lap — or if you’ll do a full lap at all.
Depending on how you’re doing your Big Lap, working on the road might be an option to alleviate some of the costs. There are plenty of ways to do this, such as house-sitting for short intervals, working on farms, picking fruit and so on. There are sites such as Workabout Australia and Grey Nomad Jobs plus various Facebook Groups that can help you find work while on the road.
Must-visit locations
Australia is chock-full of must-visit locations and trying to see everything is tempting, but it’s wise to pick your priorities. A few classic highlights include:
- The Red Centre: Uluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs (this one will require a detour from Highway 1)
- Top End, NT: Kakadu and Litchfield national parks, Darwin and — for the adventurous — Arnhem Land
- The Kimberley, WA: Gibb River Road, El Questro, Broome
- WA Coast: Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Shark Bay, Kalbarri, Perth, Margaret River
- South Coast WA–SA: Denmark, Albany, Esperance, Fleurieu Peninsula, Nullarbor Plain, Adelaide
- Victoria: Great Ocean Road, Melbourne, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Bright
- Tasmania: Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires, Bruny Island, Hobart
- East Coast NSW–Qld: Kosciuszko National Park, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Far North Qld: Cape Tribulation, the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef
Your route will shape your highlights, so make time for detours, local recommendations as you travel and spontaneous stops. These often become the best memories.
K'gari (Fraser Island) is a must-visit for anyone who loves four-wheel driving on the beach (Matt Williams) 
The beautiful Coral Bay, WA (Image John Ford)
Planning your route
Some travellers plan every stop. Others wing it and follow the wind. A bit of both tends to work best when on an extended Big Lap.
Start with your must-see destinations and sketch out a rough loop. Break it down into regions and estimate how long you’ll need in each. Leave some flex time for weather delays, surprise finds or much-needed rest.
Use Google Maps or road planners to visualise your path. Don’t forget to factor in road conditions — especially in outback areas where gravel, corrugations or closures can change your plans.
Should you book ahead?
It depends on the time of year and location. In peak season (school holidays, winter/dry season up north, summer in southern states), many caravan parks and national park campgrounds fill up fast. Booking ahead gives peace of mind and can often be a requirement if you want to stay close to the action — especially for popular spots like Broome, Uluru or Exmouth.
Book ahead for stays and tours near popular attractions like Uluru (Image Linda Hanan)
Likewise, certain attractions and tours can be very popular so if they’re on your bucket list and you know when you’ll be in the area, lock them in.
Outside peak periods or in quieter areas, you can often take it day by day. Even so, it’s good to have a backup plan. You might have your heart set on a certain free-campsite, but if that fails — do you know where to go next?
If you like the security of knowing where you’ll sleep, book ahead. If you prefer flexibility, plan a few anchor stops in advance and leave the rest open.
To find out more about things you should pre-plan well in advance, check out our guide to dry season travelling.
Do you need permits?
Yes — especially if you’re heading off the beaten track. Common permits or passes include:
- Aboriginal lands: Areas like the APY Lands (SA), Arnhem Land (NT) and parts of WA often require travel permits that need to be organised in advance.
- National parks: Some parks require a pass for entry, camping or both. Each state/territory has different rules — read our guide to national vs. state parks to find out more.
- Fishing or fossicking: Some areas require specific licences for activities like fishing, crabbing or gemstone hunting.
Always check in advance so you’re not caught out. Some permits can take a few weeks or longer to process.
Be sure to organise your permits ahead of time
The tech you’ll want
A few gadgets can make lap life a whole lot easier.
Australia’s a big country and phone reception isn’t always a given (in fact, only 27 per cent of Australia has mobile phone coverage).
When you’re on the road for months on end, having reliable tech for navigation and communication is essential.
When it comes to navigation, having a Hema Maps navigator, Garmin or good GPS with offline maps can be a lifesaver, particularly in remote areas.
For communication, a UHF radio is a must to contact other drivers on the road and use around camp, while a mobile signal booster can come in handy as well. If you know you’ll be heading off Highway 1 and into remote areas, consider a satellite phone and/or EPIRB.
The Hema HX-2+ GPS Navigator and ZOLEO satellite communicator
Starlink has also been a gamechanger in terms of having internet while on the road, and it makes working while travelling easier than ever.
For more information on how to stay connected while on the road, click here.
Don’t forget a paper backup map — just in case tech fails you.
Is your rig road-ready?
Highway 1 is fully sealed and well-maintained, so it’s suitable for pretty much any kind of vehicle, caravan, motorhome or camper trailer. But which vehicle you choose will come down to a number of considerations: budget, number of people, age of people, comfort, fuel consumption, towing and offroad capability.
For while the highway is fully sealed, certain attractions and roads will be better suited to (or require) a 4WD tow vehicle and appropriate caravan or camper.
Consider how much you’ll be towing, weights when packed up for an extended trip, if you’re going offroad much or not and so on.
Before you go, check:
- Towing capacity: Make sure your vehicle can handle the van’s weight when loaded up for what could potentially be a year-long trip.
- Suspension: Check for signs of wear and tear and if there are any issues book your van and vehicle in to get checked by a professional.
- Tyres: Make sure they’re in good nick. Replace if necessary (matching your vehicle and van tyres can make life a lot easier)
- Servicing: Get a full mechanical check-up before departure — on both vehicle and van.
Make sure you get your vehicle and van serviced before an extended trip
What to pack
You’ll only have limited space and payload for all your gear, so smart packing is a must.
Keep your clothes basic — light layers that are versatile across the seasons, a good lightweight puffer and/or wind jacket and comfortable walking shoes. Op shops are great for picking up anything you might need along the way.
Don’t overdo it — less is more when packing for an extended trip with your caravan
Downsizing applies across the board. Consider your cooking equipment and make sure you’re not doubling up and adding unnecessary weight. If it’s just the two of you, do you really need six plates?
Less is more, but a few essentials can make all the difference:
- Recovery gear: Traction boards, snatch straps, shovel
- Spare parts: Belts, hoses, filters, spare tyre (or two), wheel nuts
- Tool kit: Socket set, screwdrivers, pliers, zip ties, duct tape
- Water storage: Carry extra for remote stretches
- Cooking gear: Ditch anything you’re unlikely to use
- First-aid kit: Stocked and ready for remote travel
We also recommend packing some non-perishable staples. Supermarkets in remote areas can get pricey, so it’s good to stock up. Think flour, sugar, canned veggies, toilet paper and the like. You can prep and freeze meat and some meal components to ensure you’ll never go hungry. And while you might leave home with some basic veggies and fruit, don’t go overboard – only take what you’ll get through and don’t forget to factor in quarantine lines where you might have to ditch fresh produce anyways.
Pack non-perishables — and don’t forget to brainstorm how you’ll make the most of your storage!
You won’t have much trouble finding fresh produce and meat as you travel — one of the best ways to experience Australia is through its local produce!
Housekeeping tasks
If you’re leaving home for a few months or longer, make sure you sort out some basic housekeeping tasks:
- Mail: Redirect it or ask a friend to collect
- Bills: Make sure everything is electronic, set up direct debits or pay in advance
- Insurance: Make sure your home and contents cover extended absence, and check your travel and caravan insurance will cover your trip as well
- Roadside assistance: Make sure it’s up to date
- Home security: Ask neighbours to check in, install cameras or use smart lights to create the illusion of someone being home
- Garden/pets: Line up a house-sitter or enlist friends/family to help
Leaving things in good order means you can enjoy the road with peace of mind and organise it so the house doesn’t look uninhabited for a long period.
Alternatively, you may decide to rent out your house or set it up as an Airbnb while you’re gone to help alleviate some of your travel costs, although this does require a certain amount of organisation and storage space to secure your personal items.
For those who know they’re hitting the road full-time, selling is another option.
Read this guide to find out more about what to do with your house while travelling.
Travelling with kids
Doing the Big Lap with kids can be an incredible bonding experience. To keep things fun (and sane):
- Involve them in planning and daily routines
- Break up long drives with interesting stops
- Pack activities like books, games and craft supplies
- Embrace slow travel so you all stay rested and happy. Leave early to get the driving out of the way, leaving the afternoons for activities
Many families opt for homeschooling or distance education for longer trips. Check in with your state’s education department or school principal if you’re planning an extended trip.
Travelling with kids can also push the budget a bit and might require you to be a bit firmer with which activities you’ll enjoy along the way.
Doing a Big Lap with kids can be a lot of fun — just get organised before you go
Bringing pets along
Plenty of Big Lappers travel with their furry companions. If you’re bringing a dog:
- Check pet rules at each park or campground
- Be prepared for restrictions in national parks and some beaches
- Keep pets safe with plenty of shade, water and secure tethering
- Plan ahead for vet access, exercise and rest days
Pet enclosures can be a great way to bring your four-legged friends along on your travels (Catherine Best)
Final tips for your Big Lap
Doing a Big Lap is Australia’s most iconic road trip and can deliver some unforgettable experiences.
Just remember:
- Take your time: The journey is the destination
- Do your research before you go: You don’t have to plan it down to the hour, but know where you want to go so you don’t miss any bucket-list locations
- Talk to locals: They know the hidden gems
- Stay flexible: Weather, roads or recommendations along the way may change your plans
- Make friends: Enjoy the company of other lappers and travellers!
- Head away from the crowds: Make the most of free camps and overnight stops
With a bit of prep and the right attitude, Australia is your oyster. So, fuel up, hitch the van and let the Big Lap remind you just how vast and beautiful Australia really is.
Perlubie Beach camping at Streaky Bay on SA’s Eyre Peninsula
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