Travel Australia Podcast - Big Lap Chats By All Around Oz

Wondering what food you should take on your Big Lap of Australia, and how much you really need to carry? In this episode of Big Lap Chats , Annette shares how she packs the caravan pantry, fridge and freezer after almost three years travelling full time around Australia. We cover pantry staples, fridge baskets, freezer meals, vacuum sealing, fresh produce, remote road food planning, and what to st...

In this episode of Big Lap Chats, I'm joined by Jessie and Adam from 8 Feet Travels, a family originally from Perth who have been travelling Australia with kids for just over two years. What started as a planned 12-month lap has turned into a much bigger adventure, with caravan shows, remote work, caravan park jobs and a few clever decisions helping them stay on the road longer. We talk about the...

Caravan Facebook groups can turn one simple question into a full-blown debate, and when you're new to caravanning or planning your first Big Lap, it can be hard to know what actually matters. In this solo episode, I answer 10 real questions from our caravanning and Big Lap communities in plain English. We cover free camp etiquette, towing with full or empty water tanks, whether half-full tanks can...

Planning a Big Lap of Australia as a couple is not just about choosing the caravan, setting a budget and mapping out the route. Once you are on the road, you are also making decisions together every day, managing money, dealing with stress, sharing a small space and working out how to keep enjoying the trip when things do not go quite to plan. In this solo episode of Big Lap Chats, I talk through...

What are the first 30 days on a Big Lap of Australia really like? In this solo episode, I'm breaking down what actually happens once you leave home and hit the road. That first month can feel very different to what you expected, even after months of planning. Everything takes longer, the days can feel more tiring, and it's easy to start questioning your decisions. This episode walks through why th...

What does it actually look like when you stop planning and start travelling? In this episode, I'm joined by Mel from Neighbours to Nomads. Mel and her partner Scott sold everything, shut down their businesses, and set off to travel Australia full-time. We talk through how that decision came about, what their first six months really looked like, and the biggest lessons they've learnt since being on...

What would you do if you were told to leave your campsite because of a cyclone? In this episode, Annette shares a real experience from Kalbarri in Western Australia, where a fast-moving cyclone forced travellers to make quick decisions under pressure. This is not just a story. It's a practical look at cyclone safety for caravanners, including what to consider when leaving, how to assess your optio...

In this episode, Annette chats with Jacqui and Dave from Really Good Travels, retired school teachers who set off at the end of 2022 and have since spent years exploring Australia in their caravan. After travelling across multiple states, including remote parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, they share what they've learned along the way and what they would do differently if they...

Katie and Pete from Sanders Meanders share their journey of travelling Australia full-time as a family of five with no caravanning experience before they left. What started as a dream quickly turned into a steep learning curve, from choosing the right setup to understanding weights, budgeting, and schooling on the road. In this episode, they talk about how they made the decision to leave, what the...

Fuel prices are climbing across Australia, and it's one of the biggest concerns right now for anyone planning a Big Lap. In this episode, I break down what's actually happening on the ground, not headlines or speculation, but real feedback from the All Around Oz community. After running polls across our groups with over 235,000 members, I share: Whether Lappers are delaying their trips or still go...

Bek and Rob from The Larsens Adventures have been travelling Australia with their two young boys for nearly two years. In this episode of Big Lap Chats, they share the story behind their decision to leave Brisbane and start travelling full-time as a family. After a life-changing experience that shifted their priorities, they decided to stop waiting for "one day" and spend more time together while...

Why do so many big laps fall apart in the first 90 days? It's rarely about capability. It's usually about foundations. In this solo episode of Big Lap Chats, Annette talks about what really happens in the first three months on the road, the lifestyle shift, travel fatigue, van confidence, decision overwhelm and the pressure to "see it all." If you're 6–12 months away from leaving, or you've just s...

They had a house deposit saved on the Gold Coast. Corporate jobs. Brisbane commutes. The "next step" all mapped out. Instead, they chose to travel Australia. In this episode of Big Lap Chats, I chat with Abby and Gus from Sunburnt Tracks about why they skipped buying property and hit the road in a Hilux canopy setup with a rooftop tent and tinny. We cover: How they replaced a mortgage plan with a...

Planning a Big Lap of Australia can feel exciting, until you sit down to "plan it" and suddenly feel completely overwhelmed. In this solo episode of Big Lap Chats, Annette breaks down the difference between planning and preparing and why most travellers are focusing on the wrong things before they leave. If you've been asking: – How long should we go for? – When should we leave? – Which way do we...

In this episode of Big Lap Chats, Annette sits down with Millie & Matt from Willow Road Adventures, who have just completed their first lap of Australia with their two young kids, Willow and Ruben. They share how long work hours and missing the kids' early years pushed them to leave, what it's really like to live in a van full-time, and why not having a strict timeline has been the best decision t...

Discover how we saved over $1,300 during the busiest time of the year by house sitting instead of staying in caravan parks. In this episode, Annette shares the full story of spending Christmas on an organic farm near Margaret River, caring for 100 chickens and a loveable Labradoodle named Diesel. Learn how house sitting can be a game-changer for your Big Lap, especially during peak season when car...

This is the final episode of Season One of the All Around Oz - Travel Australia Big Lap Chats Podcast and the last episode for 2025. In this short wrap-up episode, Annette reflects on an incredible first season of the podcast, sharing gratitude for the guests, listeners and community that have grown around Big Lap Chats. With 36 episodes recorded, the podcast has covered real-life Big Lap advice,...

In this episode of Big Lap Chats, Lee & Daz from  Our Salty Life share the raw reality of full time travel around Australia. From mechanical breakdowns and medical emergencies to premium insurance tips and money-saving hacks, this honest chat dives into what it  really takes to live life on the road. If you're dreaming of the Big Lap or already travelling Australia, don't miss this entertaining, u...

Tara and Jeremy from 4 Plus Paws join me to share their story of full-time travel across Australia with their two young kids and dog. From budgeting mishaps to unforgettable experiences, they offer real talk on caravanning with kids, what it's really like, and how they've made it work. You'll learn: How to handle schooling on the road What they didn't expect (and how they adapted) Why they'd do it...

When Lee and Daz lost loved ones too soon, they made a promise to stop waiting and start living. What began as a five-month trip in a Kombi many years ago has become their full-time adventure around Australia, and they're doing it with purpose, joy, and plenty of salt water. In this episode, they share their story of early retirement, life on the Ningaloo Reef, and why they believe the best time t...

Thinking about buying a secondhand caravan for your Big Lap? Before you hand over your money, you need to hear this. In this episode, I'm walking you through the complete inspection process for buying a used caravan in Australia. Whether you're buying from a dealer or privately, these 12 essential checks will help you avoid costly mistakes and find the perfect van for your family adventure or reti...

In this Big Lap Chats episode of our Travel Australia Podcast, Annette sits down to discuss grief and freedom with Josh & Sianne share how a three-month caravan trip turned into three years exploring Australia with their two girls. What started with hiring a mate's caravan for a three-month getaway quickly turned into three years of full-time travel across Australia. In this candid conversation, J...

Buying a new caravan is one of the biggest and most expensive decisions you'll make when preparing for your Big Lap of Australia. And while it's exciting, it's also incredibly easy to get wrong. In this solo episode, Annette shares the essential advice every future lapper needs before choosing a van. Drawing from her experience as a full-time traveller, she explains what really matters when it com...

If you love a good glass of wine after a day on the road, but hate the weight, waste, and breakage of glass bottles this episode is for you. Annette sits down with Kim and Mike, the creators of Greenskin Wine, a premium Australian wine packaged in lightweight, unbreakable, fully recyclable pouches. Designed for caravanners, vanlifers, boaties and campers, this clever innovation is changing how Aus...

Not every shiny new feature is worth the price tag, but after two and a half years on the road, we've figured out which caravan upgrades truly make life easier, safer, and more comfortable. In this solo episode, I'm sharing the upgrades we'd invest in again in a heartbeat, like lithium batteries, solar setups, extra water tanks, and the small creature comforts that make a big difference on the roa...