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, honest guest stories, planning reassurance and practical insights for anyone dreaming of travelling Australia by road.

Whether you're already on the road, quietly waiting out the silly season, or still in the planning phase, wondering if you'll ever feel ready, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone and that feeling overwhelmed before a Big Lap is completely normal.

Annette also shares what's coming in Season Two, how listeners can get involved with future topics and guests, and a quick update on the Big Lap Chats membership and the newly updated Planning a Lap of Australia guide.

If you've missed any episodes this year, the Christmas break is the perfect time to go back and listen.

Wishing you a safe, relaxed Christmas and New Year, and wherever you are on your Big Lap journey, enjoy the road ahead. Season Two kicks off in January 2026.

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, unfiltered look at what happens when plans fall apart and how to bounce back smarter.

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/

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.

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!

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