Jun 21, 20215 min read

The Idea

One lone tree, represents one single idea which will soon turn into a forest of dreams

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The Idea

Us, and our Big Lap preparations.

Travelling is no longer just something for the younger people who do not have children yet, or the older generation whose children are all grown up and living independently of Dad and Mum. Road trips are no longer just for those who are lucky enough to get away for a couple of weeks on the school holidays. Everything has changed, and it is exciting!

There are many people travelling the big lap permanently with their young kids. This is not something we had ever dreamed of. When we were growing up, it just was not done, but now with home schooling options, and working while travelling, the game has changed for so many people.

We have recently decided it is something Mr and I both would like to do. We wanted our kids to see as much of Australia as possible. It was not until I turned 19 before I went interstate and thought I had always led a sheltered life. My parents did what they could for my brother and I, but I always wanted to see more.

Our kids, however, are growing up so fast, much like all other kids. But we now have had our plans change as neither of them want to do the lap with us anymore. Mustn’t be cool to hang out with Mum and Dad! We have been fortunate enough to take our kids on holidays every year, within our own state and interstate, and even on a few cruise ships, so they have had the opportunity to see many different places. I suppose this is why they don’t want to come.

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In a different circumstance, my best friend and her children haven’t travelled. We go away on small and close by family holidays together now, and when we talk about the Big Lap, her children do tell me they would love to travel Australia. So this is where I feel the difference, and this is what makes me think that our children don’t want to travel, because they have already travelled and it’s nothing new to them. I’m less offended haha!

So, since 2019, we have been through 3 different caravans, as our children age. The first van, (not our very first van but the one we originally set out to do our Lap with the kids in) was a Jayco StarCraft triple bunk. Although we have 2 kids, the bottom bunk was to be for the dog and some storage. Then, as our son began his full time apprenticeship, one year travelling became something that was no longer an option for him. So we sold the bunk van and bought a Jayco Sterling slide out. It has the main bed, plus it has 2 recliners that double up also as a single bed. We did a trip a year or so back and found this to be ideal for our daughter. But now that she has decided she doesn’t want to come, we have purchased another StarCraft, and this one is more suited to just the 2 of us.

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We have given our daughter until the month that she turns 17 to successfully pass her driving test and obtain her P’s. It’s still a little while off but we have told her if she doesn’t get her license, then she will have no option but to come with us as we plan to leave the month after she turns 17. She is a full-time student and works 2 part time jobs, so this is why we must wait until she gets her license. We live in a remote town and there is no public transport available to get her to work and around the place. She gets on the school bus just down the road but has no way of getting to work.

Help the kids document their travels and help make their memories last a life time!

So, this changes things now. Our Big Lap planning is not about what to pack, where to head and preparing the caravan, it’s also about making sure the kids have the tools and knowledge to live in our home without us. Although they have stayed home alone for a few smaller trips 2 or 3 weeks long, but this is nothing in comparison to a year at minimum. I know they will be fine. They are smart kids and have a good knowledge of how to survive without their parents already, but it’s now going to be the finer details that we introduce them to such as paying their own bills, grocery shopping, maintenance on the property and full-time taking care of themselves. Of course, we can assist to a point while we are hundreds of kilometers away, but they are going to have to be completely self-sufficient. There will be no more Mum washing their uniforms, Dad fixing the car for them, and the parents running the house, allowing them to come and go as they please.

Our job is now made a little harder and more complex.

Back to the intro….

Living on the road for 12 months, sounds great, but there is so much more to it. As we are still in our planning stages, we are sure learning a lot. Knowledge comes from many sources, talking to people who have done a lot of road travelling and collating our previous caravanning holiday adventures. As we go on, we make lists and notes of things we hear and see.

Packing for your Big Lap. What will you need?

My little notebook is full of notes. So many things we need to know, not about travelling as we have travelled many times, but more travelling full time for one year (that's the plan anyway). My iPhone has an app called ‘Notes’ and I have loaded that up with many things as I think of something else. Plus I have a notebook in the caravan too. Oh it’s endless.

I am sure the planning will be as exciting as the adventure itself, as will fear of the unknown. Staying in a comfort zone is just way too easy. But my comfort zone does not have travel in it, so it is time to jump out of the ordinary and do it differently. After all, my favourite quote states, “In order to be successful, you must do it differently” and I sure will not succeed in my travel quest if I don’t do it differently.

Final words,

As we continue our quest to be ready for the Big Lap in the not too distant future, we will document our planning adventure and stages as we go. We hope that the things we learn as we prepare along the way will help you with your Big Lap planning also.