Travel Australia Podcast - Big Lap Chats By All Around Oz

What's stopping you from hitting the road? For most people it comes down to two things: money fears and not knowing where to start. In this solo episode, I answer two real listener questions: • How do you let go of the financial security of full-time work to travel full-time? • As a brand-new caravanner, where do you even start once you've got the van and tow vehicle? I share practical tips on bud...

Thinking about solo travel Australia, but not sure where to start? In this episode of Big Lap Chats, Annette sits down with solo traveller Rose Pengilly, who has spent more than 17 months exploring Australia on her own. Rose shares how she set up her motorhome for comfort and safety, her must-have non-negotiables for long-term travel, and what it's really like free camping as a woman on the road....

What would it take to leave everything behind and start again? For Karen and Vince, known as Chasing the Civellos , the answer was simple: sell the house, sell the business, and set off in a motorhome to discover what they call big lap freedom . In this episode of Big Lap Chats , they share their raw and real story of moving from burnout and disconnection to a life of reconnection, simplicity, and...

In this episode of Big Lap Chats, I sit down with Shania and Kade from Escape the Everyday , a young couple who made the bold decision to sell their home and take on full-time travel around Australia. They share the emotional rollercoaster of leaving behind stability, how they juggle work on the road (a nurse and a diesel mechanic—very handy combo!), and what really surprised them about life as th...

After the heartbreaking loss of their daughter, Rachel and Darren made a life-changing decision to pack up their lives, leave their high-stress jobs, and travel Australia full-time. In this emotional episode of  Big Lap Chats , they share how their lap became a journey of healing, reconnection, and rediscovery. We talk about: The grief that changed everything Their 2017 Coromal caravan setup and S...

One of the toughest decisions before setting off on your Big Lap is whether to sell your home or rent it out. In this solo episode, I explore the pros and cons of both options, from the freedom of selling to the safety net of renting. I also share some of our own experiences with tenants, property managers, and the realities of juggling house ownership while on the road. By the end, you'll have a...

In this episode of Big Lap Chats, we dive into one of the most asked questions in our community: How much does a Big Lap of Australia really cost each week? Annette breaks down real-life spending from Aussie travellers across the country—from budget-conscious solo lappers to families making the most of every experience. Hear what people are actually spending on fuel, food, accommodation, activitie...

Thinking about doing the Big Lap of Australia to travel Australia in a caravan? In this episode of  Big Lap Chats , I share 5 crucial lessons I wish I knew before hitting the road full-time in our caravan. These tips come from over two years of travelling around Australia. Helping you save money, travel slower, avoid rookie mistakes, and get the most out of your adventure. You'll learn: • Why your...

After lockdown and personal loss, Jen and Bob decided it was time to stop waiting and start living. They sold their home, bought a van, and hit the road full-time—with no set plan and no end date. In this episode, they share how they turned uncertainty into freedom, what life really looks like as full-time travellers, and the places that stole their hearts along the way. You'll hear: Why they chos...

This week on Big Lap Chats, I'm joined by Tara from Dreamer RV—who shares how a desire for more family time sparked a bold decision to hit the road, and how that journey unexpectedly led to launching a thriving caravan bedding business. Tara's Big Lap story is packed with relatable moments, from the chaos of packing up with young kids to navigating life (and business) from a caravan. We chat about...

Is there ever a perfect time to travel around Australia? Deb & Jez from Grab Life by the Gourlays say yes—and it's right now . In this episode, they share how they brought their lap forward by four years, found the right caravan at the right price, and hit the road as a family of four (plus their pup) for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. What You'll Learn: Why now is the Best Time to Do the Big Lap...

This week's episode is a little different—no guest, just Annette, answering the same Big Lap questions she usually asks others. You'll get real, honest insights about planning, budgeting, finding hidden gems, and staying sane on the road. 👉 Topics covered include: Why setting a departure date is more powerful than you think Our approach to free camping, fuel stops, and trip planning The myth of I...

Sam and Wim from Bush and Bay join Annette to share their full-time off-grid travel journey across Australia. From ditching van life to discovering their ideal 4WD + camper setup, this episode is packed with honest insights into what really works on the Big Lap of Australia. They talk Starlink, water tanks, wild weather, and the myth of the "perfect setup." Plus, you'll hear what not to do when pl...

Confused about caravan towing weights? In this must-listen episode of  Big Lap Chats , Annette chats with Brennan Raymakers from Know My Tow to demystify GVM, GCM, ATM, tow ball weights, axle loads, and more. If you're planning a Big Lap of Australia, this episode is essential for understanding how to tow legally and safely. Plus, discover how Know My Tow's free and premium calculators can help yo...

n this episode of Big Lap Chats , Annette sits down with Deena from Committed to Collect. A seasoned traveller who completed an unforgettable 8-month Big Lap of Australia with her young family and did it all without blowing the budget. Deena shares her story from dusty red roads to driving with the caravan door wide open, and how that adventure sparked her new mission: helping other travellers sav...

What happens when the kids leave home and you decide not to wait for retirement? You get Rob and Ange aka the  Semiretired Travellers who sold it all and hit the road to live their Big Lap dream. In this episode of Big Lap Chats , Annette sits down with Rob and Ange as they share how they turned an empty nest into a full-time adventure. From selling their house and buying a 31-foot motorhome to pi...

Thinking about doing the Big Lap of Australia but feeling overwhelmed or unsure if it's the right time? In this episode of Big Lap Chats , Annette sits down with Katrina and Cain from Hapnin Empty Nesters , a couple who turned a major heart scare into the ultimate full-time travel adventure. They share how they hit the road in a 13-foot hybrid caravan, how they manage on a $500/week travel budget,...

In this episode of Big Lap Chats , we sit down with Casey and Zane from A Few Laps Around the Sun —a couple who swapped intensive care wards and plumbing jobs for full-time caravan travel around Australia. Now three years into their journey, they share how they made the leap into vanlife, the real costs of living on the road, and how working as a nurse and a tradie helps them fund their Big Lap li...

Courtney and James from Tradies on Tour join Annette to share how they turned weekend getaways, and one big lap into over three years of full-time travel around Australia with their kids. From budgeting tips and schooling on the road to running a mobile tradie business, this episode is packed with honest insights, laughs, and real-life advice for anyone dreaming of their own Big Lap and travelling...

Maybe One Day" to Full-Time Road Life with Vet In A Van Tanya and Marcus had a dream—to explore Australia with their family. But when someone offered to buy their house, they stopped dreaming… and hit the road. 🚐 Six weeks later, they were off—right before COVID hit. Years later, they're still travelling full-time with four kids (including one born on the road!), homeschooling, working remotely,...

From 12 Months to Forever—Why Liz & Simon Never Stopped Their Big Lap What happens when a planned 12-month Big Lap turns into 4+ years of full-time travel? Liz & Simon from  The Lifestyle Pioneers share how their dream became a lifestyle—remote adventures, School of the Air, and all. 🧭 Before the road : Liz was teaching, Simon was deep in construction. Life was busy, but something was missing. "W...

Ever dreamt of exploring every corner of Australia in a 4WD bus? That's exactly what Chris and Bec from Salt and Charcoal have been doing for the last five years. In this episode of Big Lap Chats , they're sharing the wild, wonderful, and occasionally frustrating realities of full-time travel. From FIFO life and social work to launching a travel brand and shipping their beloved bus across the coun...

In this episode of Big Lap Chats, Annette sits down with Jess Day—better known as Outback Jess—a former tour guide turned family travel expert and creator of the much-loved Spotto Books. Jess has explored some of Australia's most remote and iconic destinations, from the Outback to the Kimberley, and now shares the road with her partner Gary and their two kids. With a background in education and a...

From Grief to the Big Lap: Erin and Alex From Now or Never and Camp for a Cure's Life-Changing Adventure In this heartfelt episode, Alex and Erin share how a gift from Erin's mum sparked a complete lifestyle shift—from working long hours and battling anxiety to hitting the road full-time with their kids. They open up about what they thought they needed to travel (spoiler: not the air fryer or kids...

From Burnout to Big Lap Bliss: Sarah & Keelan's Journey of Letting Go and Hitting the Road What started as a one-year escape from the daily grind turned into a life-changing, multi-year adventure for Sarah and Keelan, the duo behind Sarah and Keelan Travels. In this episode of Big Lap Chats, they share how they swapped teaching and trades for life on the road—and all the highs, lows, and lessons t...