Travel Australia Podcast - Big Lap Chats By All Around Oz

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 all again in a heartbeat

Subscribe and follow for more interviews with real Aussie travellers sharing real advice on living the Big Lap life.

Grab the show notes here 👉🏻 https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/caravanning-with-kids/

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 to chase your dream is now. We talk booking tips, ghost campers, off-grid living, and the real realities of travelling full-time.

Whether you're planning your lap or already on the road, this episode is packed with practical tips and a powerful reminder to say yes more often.

In this episode:

• How losing loved ones inspired them to hit the road early

• What makes Ningaloo their happy place

• How to navigate the tricky WA booking system

• Why travelling with a boat changed everything

• The power of saying yes to new experiences

Listen now and get inspired to plan your own salty adventure.

Grab the show notes and extra information https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/ningaloo-camping-tips/

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 retirement dream.

What You'll Learn:

• The critical difference between must-haves and nice-to-haves (and how to match them to your budget) • Dealer vs private sale: which is right for you and what to watch out for • Complete interior inspection checklist including water damage, appliances, and those notoriously uncomfortable caravan mattresses • Exterior red flags you can't afford to miss: tyres, chassis rust, batteries, water tanks, and more • Why understanding weights and towing capacity could save your life (and your licence) • The truth about "near new, hardly used" caravans (spoiler: they can be worse than well-used ones) • When it's worth paying for a professional caravan inspector • How to test everything on site before you commit • Documentation you must ask for and verify • When to trust your gut and walk away

I've also created a free downloadable checklist you can take with you when inspecting any secondhand caravan. You'll find it here - https://allaroundoz.com.au/buying-a-second-hand-caravan/

Whether you're a family planning to homeschool on the road or empty nesters ready to reclaim your freedom and explore this beautiful country, this episode will give you the confidence to choose the right caravan for your Big Lap adventure.

Join Our Community:

If you have questions about buying a caravan or planning your lap, come join thousands of other Aussie travellers in our free Facebook groups. Search for "Planning a Lap of Australia Hints and Tips" or "Caravanning for Newbies Australia."

Love the show? Please leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. It helps other families and grey nomads find these free resources when they're planning their own Australian adventure.

Subscribe to Big Lap Chats for weekly episodes covering everything you need to know about planning and enjoying your lap of Australia.

Grab the show notes here: https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/buying-a-second-hand-caravan-australia-essential-checks-before-you-buy/

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, Josh and Sianne share how they've navigated the highs and lows of big lap life from selling their home, homeschooling their daughters, and finding meaningful work on the road, to discovering some of the country's most breathtaking (and underrated) destinations.

You'll hear:

• Why the first month of travel is often the hardest and how to ease the transition

• Their top tips for free camping, managing water and power, and saving money on fuel

• How they planned their epic stay at Ningaloo and what to expect if you're heading there

• What it's really like towing a van with a Y62 Patrol (including fuel consumption truths)

• Unforgettable bucket list moments, including shark cage diving and visiting Uluru

• The biggest myth about travelling Australia that needs to be busted

Whether you're planning your Big Lap of Australia or already out on the road, this episode is packed with honest advice and practical tips for families, couples, and solo travellers alike.

Big Lap Chats is the go-to Travel Australia Podcast for real stories from real travellers.

Subscribe for more insider extended chats, planning tips, and lap-life lessons from those who've done it. https://blccrew.allaroundoz.com.au/

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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 comes to setup and comfort on the road.

You'll learn why understanding your tow vehicle's weights is so important, what layout features make daily life easier (especially in bad weather), and how to plan for your full travel setup, not just the van. Annette also covers off-grid capability, build quality, towing confidence, and the often-overlooked extras that can add weight and cost fast.

She breaks down the most common mistakes new buyers make and how to avoid them, especially if you've been swayed by shiny Instagram vans that don't match your lifestyle.

Whether you're buying your first caravan or still in the early stages of planning, this episode is full of real-world advice that will help you travel smarter and make more confident decisions.

Grab the show notes and extra information here https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/buying-a-new-caravan/

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 Aussies enjoy wine while travelling.

We chat about:

• How Greenskin was born from frustration (and a love of great wine)

• Why wine pouches are not just goon 2.0

• The huge environmental benefits over glass

• How long the wine lasts after opening (hint: it's weeks, not days)

• Delivery tricks for travellers on the move

Whether you're planning your Big Lap or already on the road, this episode will have you rethinking your happy hour setup.

Try Greenskin Wine: Https://greenskinwine.com – use code AAO and save 10% on your order!

#BigLapChats #GreenskinWine #VanlifeAustralia #CaravanningAustralia #TravelAustralia

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 road.

If you're setting up your caravan or wondering where to spend (and where to save), this episode will help you make smart, practical choices before you hit the road.

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 budgeting (including the $1000-a-week rule of thumb), why short "shakedown trips" are so valuable, and how to ease into the lifestyle without letting fear hold you back.

Plus, I've got exciting news: Version 2 of my Planning a Lap of Australia eBook is on the way with five new chapters, and I'm opening up consults so I can help you one-on-one with your own lap planning.

Listen in or watch all the podcast episodes here https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcast/

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.

You'll hear her best money-saving hacks, from using fuel apps to shopping smart in remote towns, plus her favourite free camps and bucket list adventures, including swimming with whale sharks and the unforgettable Horizontal Falls.

If you're dreaming of a Big Lap, planning your own van life adventure, or simply curious about the realities of travelling Australia solo, this inspiring and practical conversation will give you the confidence to take the next step.

Tune in and discover why the freedom of the open road is worth chasing, even if you're travelling solo.

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 slow travel.

From shedding possessions and realising how little "stuff" they really needed, to discovering the joy of free camping, working seasonal jobs, and exploring Australia at their own pace, their journey is full of practical insights and heart.

We talk about:

• Why they decided to sell everything and hit the road

• The liberation of downsizing to only the essentials

• How slow travel saves money and deepens experiences

• Favourite free camps and hidden gems along the way

• Advice for couples and grey nomads dreaming of their own lap

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to step away from the grind and embrace a simpler, more connected way of life, Karen and Vince's story will inspire you to design your own lap, your own version of big lap freedom.

Hear/watch and download the show notes for every episode here - https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcast/