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Hema’s TOP tips for travelling the Big Lap
Words Julija Zivanovic and Hema Maps Editorial Pics Supplied
With the 2025 dry season kicking off, many Australians are embarking on the epic journey of Australia known as the ‘Big Lap’. Join us as we share some of our top tips for planning.
View of Thunderbolts Way, a scenic road through the New England region of New South Wales (Credit: Peter Walton)
So, you’ve decided to finally do it … you’re going to drive the most ambitious road trip that this country offers … the Big Lap! Preparing for a drive around one of the world’s largest countries should involve more than simply packing the four-wheel drive/caravan/camper trailer/motorhome and waving goodbye to the neighbours — so we’ve decided to revisit the topic to provide some essential tips for planning a Big Lap adventure.
Join us as we explore the best way to budget, which way to travel the Big Lap, some epic destinations along the way, timing (how long will you really need?) and ways to keep fit during the mostly sedentary journey. After all, this will likely be the biggest road trip of your life.
Budget
Deciding on a budget for travel might be a good place to start, so let’s do some quick calculations. With a detour to Darwin, Highway One goes all the way around the country for about 14,500km. However, you will be exploring lots of byways so let’s set 18,000km as a target. At an average of 18L/100km (give or take), that’s 3204L or upwards of $5683 (diesel) or $6123 (91 unleaded) in fuel. Throw in a service and a couple of tyres, and we could hope for $6700/$7200 as minimum. Depending on the age of your vehicle/caravan/camper trailer/motorhome, it could be considerably higher. Also something to keep in mind is that fuel in the outback/remote areas is often much more expensive, so that will affect the budget as well.
An incredible part of Purnululu National Park, WA, where the Bungle Bungles are found
Accommodation costs will vary widely. Even if you hope to stay at free camps most of the time, they can be hard to find, especially near the coast. And staying at caravan parks can be costly. Throw in food and drink — and some iconic tours/activities — and it’s not hard to see the daily budget easily running to $150 a day for a couple.
Which way?
Choosing the direction of travel has been a perennial question and there isn’t a definitive answer. Most experienced Lappers reckon the anticlockwise route makes the most of the prevailing winds. The difference in fuel economy and driving pleasure increases with a good tailwind and that can make a big difference on runs like the Nullarbor where most of the weather comes from the west. But it depends on the season, so you need some flexibility to extend your travel if conditions aren’t ideal.
Destinations
One way to stay connected with the reality of your trip is to get hold of a big Hema map of Australia and get a feel for the many kilometres you will travel. It drives home what a massive country Australia is and offers almost unlimited corners to explore.
The famous Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria
Some folk like to plan every destination and others will fly by the seat of their pants and just enjoy fresh vistas as they come into view. Both options will deliver surprises and memories, but we think the best way to take on a Big Lap is by doing some research in advance and locking in some must-see places. Don’t forget — as will soon be obvious — you won’t be the only ones trying to board a boat trip on Yellow Water in Kakadu, for example, so when you know your itinerary, that’s the time to book those special extras. You don’t want to drive half the length of the country to discover you’re going to miss out on one of your most-anticipated activities.
Where you end up will depend a lot on the vehicle/caravan/camper trailer/motorhome you have, but you can see a lot from the bitumen of Highway One. You might not get into every remote billabong with a 23ft on-road caravan, but there are tours to loads of places along the way if you have the time and budget.
Timing
When to travel is extremely important because you probably don’t want to be locked down over the wet season which can extend from November to May in the north. It’s hot and humid and many roads will be impassable. If you have to leave in autumn or summer, then head south to get the best of the cooler climates.
The incredible Mitchell Falls in the Kimberley region of Western Australia
Wildflowers in Western Australia are at their best in October, so meandering down the west coast at that time of the year makes sense. While it’s contrary to most travel ideals, you might even enjoy the hot north in the wet season and there’s something to be said for visiting popular places without the crowds. The best time to travel could largely depend on your personal preferences and what the weather is doing.
How long will you need?
You could spend a year or more travelling and exploring and still not see everything! However, we believe you need to set aside at least four months to do the journey justice. Sure, you could drive the Big Lap in a much shorter time frame, but what is the point if you don’t get to see most of the things along the way that make it so special?
Some useful equipment
Having the right gear on board your touring rig is as essential as having the right vehicle, especially for a long trip such as this. Here are some non-negotiables to consider:
- Extra water (needs to be said)
- Road snacks (also stops expensive servo snack runs)
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Spare tyres
- Recovery gear and basic tool kit
- Jerry cans of fuel
- Maps/navigation tools (we recommend the Hema HX-2+ Navigator)
- Satellite phone (we recommend the ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator)
Map view on the Hema HX-2+ GPS Navigator
Plan to keep fit …
Several long-term travellers have told us that it’s easy to slip into holiday mode on a road trip like this — with more time spent relaxing and the occasional ice cream or two creeping into the routine. Add in the long hours behind the wheel, and it’s important to make an effort to stay active.
Simple daily habits like stretching or a brisk walk can make a big difference. For those looking to do a bit more, bodyweight exercises such as squats or push-ups, yoga sessions to stay flexible or even a quick bike ride if you have one handy, are all great ways to keep fit on the go — and many don’t require you to carry heavy or bulky gear.
While travelling, be sure to check out short hiking or bike riding tracks in the area — they’re perfect for breaking up the drive and immersing yourself in the surroundings.
Finding small ways to move each day will help you stay refreshed and comfortable throughout your journey.
Recommended products
Below you can find some fantastic resources and further information for taking on your Big Lap and all the incredible things you could see and do along the way:
Australia Large Map — $15.95
Australia Road & Terrain Map — $15.95
Big Things of Australia Map — $15.95
The Kids’ Lap Bible — $39.99
Australia Scratch Map — $79.95 (visually keep track of your trip!)
The Big Lap Bible (Second Edition) — $99.95
The Hema Map Patrol vehicle driving through the Flinders Ranges in South Australia (Credit: Matt Williams)
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