Planning and preparing

Dreaming of a BIG lap? How to make it happen

There's something special about setting off around Australia with your home on wheels. Whether it is half a year or a couple of years, the big lap continues to draw in families, couples and adventurers who want to swap routine for coastlines, red dirt tracks and unforgettable days on the road.

At BIG4, we love helping people turn those ideas into real plans. It's exactly why we created The BIG Aussie Review, a nationwide competition that will send one lucky couple or family off with a Ford Ranger Tremor, a Crusader Lifechanger Bunkie caravan (both to keep!), a full year of BIG4 stays, fuel, food and gear. For many, it could be the final push needed to make the lap a reality. More information on the competition and how to enter below.

To help spark your own planning, we spoke with three groups who have already completed major laps of the country. Their experiences offer a grounded look at the journey, the surprises, the highlights and the lessons they want to pass on.

What inspires people to take on a big lap

The reasons are wonderfully varied but often grounded in timing, curiosity and connection.

For Kate Claringbold and her family, the dream had lived in the background for years. ‘We wanted an adventure that helped us learn more about ourselves as a family as much as discovering the country.’

Robyn Lee and Andrew Hagley saw it as an opportunity. ‘We had a two-year-old and decided it would be a good opportunity to travel with him and spend time together as a family.’

Amber and Nick Tierney, known as Great Aussie Escapes, fell in love with travel after a spontaneous night in a swag during COVID. ‘We wanted to explore our own backyard first and enjoy the hikes and attractions while we still can.’

How much planning do you actually need to do?

There is no single right approach, but most travellers land somewhere between loose structure and go‑with‑the‑flow flexibility.

Kate’s family locked in the major pieces early, like equipment, timing and direction, but kept their daily decisions open. ‘Day-to-day decisions like where we would stay or what we would see were often decided as we went.’

After planning more for their first go round, Amber and Nick are now choosing a minimal structure for their upcoming multi‑year lap. ‘We will book ahead for public holidays or long weekends, but otherwise we'll be playing it by ear.’

Why the seasons matter

Timing your route with the weather can shape the whole trip. Kate’s family left Melbourne in summer, travelled clockwise and returned in winter. ‘We had very few rainy or cold days, which made the whole experience far more enjoyable.’

Amber and Nick now aim for the popular rhythm of heading north for winter and south for summer.

Robyn and Andrew just kept things really simple. If it rained for too long, they moved on.

The Murray River, captured by Great Aussie Escapes

Top destinations travellers rave about

Western Australia ranked highly on all three groups' lists, and it is easy to understand why.

Some standout favourites included:

Karijini National Park and its dramatic gorges
Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay
Broome and the Kimberley
Denmark and Yallingup
Kalbarri and the wider south west region

Amber and Nick also championed South Australia. ‘It is stunning. From the beach to the outback, there is a huge variety.’

BIG4s that made a lasting impression

BIG4 parks became reliable, welcoming touchpoints throughout each journey.

Kate’s family singled out BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort. ‘It felt like a holiday from our holiday. The water park was incredible, and the park was so well maintained.’

Robyn and Andrew loved BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Resort.

Amber and Nick are looking forward to experiencing more BIG4s along the East Coast during their next lap.