How much does it REALLY COST to travel around AUSTRALIA??

Want to know what it costs to do a Big Lap of Australia? It's a LONG way to drive around the country, and in this video we go through all the costs of our 3.5 year Lap.

We break our Big Lap Budget down into categories, Fuel, Food, Entrance Fees, Mechanical costs, Accommodation, and yes, Alcohol!

We also share some money saving tips so you can get the most out of your Big Lap.

Please consider subscribing to our channel - we bring you travel guides and vanlife tips weekly with a peek into our lives on the road.

WHO ARE WE?
We are Nigel and Sue (NaS) Adventures, a couple of outdoor adventurers. We've been Overlanding Australia living in our self-converted 4x4 Sprinter van since January 2021. Join us as we visit the highlights, but also share some off the beaten path hidden gems, along with the day to day realities of living in a van.

[geebee]

I was surprised at $1000 a week. I was doing a budget of $400 a week. I think I need to re-evaluate. Thank you for all your videos and helpful ideas

[wgtseqk]

You get the gold star this week Sue. Presented in a very fluent and comprehensive manner.

[PeteThecurious]

Excellent - -
In 1981 my wife and I plus 2 children12 and 14 "went around Australia" and to the middle over seven months on $6 a day in an HG Holden stn wagon sleeping in three tents (no fridge) ;)

[Vanmattdamn]

I love that all Aussies include alcohol as an expense and all of the NA channels don’t drink or skip this aspect of life.
Thanks for keeping it real. Love the Q&A’s were gearing up to start the big lap in October but we only get 6 month visa to do it.
I’m quite surprised it’s only 1k a week as we can’t get in that budget in Canada or USA unless we stay put for weeks at a time.

[georgepeel]

I think you have to subtract your current living expenditure from that to calculate the extra money you require for a trip.

[hughgreen]

Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to do these videos. Much appreciated. Amazed at your fuel economy - I’m getting 9.8 l/100km in a Pajero Sport with just me and a fat Lab cruising up and down the highway and a couple of gravel roads. Given your vans size and weight it appears that the fuel consumption you achieved is a miracle. Great credit to that Van.

[lyndad]

Great information - thank you for the effort taken to post.

[neilthorman]

Thanks Sue that was interesting and informative at least we have some ideas now.

[Mazza-xsnv]

Hi, great video. As we are coming to the end of our journey we worked out to be $1000/week. Fuel being the biggest cost (apart from the bakeries 😊). We paid $2.99/L on the nullabour. We are tiwa small hybrid camper and getting 13l/100km in our navara. We have found WA to be most expensive in accommodation in caravan parks with some charching upto and over $75/night (clearly a rip off😢) for a powered site. Thanks for the video.

[patriciaa]

I don't drink alcohol. There are local soft drink factories and they are worth trying. Haven't travelled as much as you guys. I love to try out the local soft drinks. Have found some amazing drinks over the years.

[jaydegier]

Hi Nigel and Sue that was such an informative video for those thinking of taking to the road. You covered all the basis and it give those embarking or thinking of embarking on travel the things they definitely need to think about and consider. I hope that you are enjoying life in the UK. Stay safe Coen and Jay

[tresparivet]

Drifted in to this site as we all do. Love it. Your presentation Sue is brilliant. Subscribed and good luck with the channel.

[philpeterson]

Awesome information and so well done 👍

[popeyebob]

A fellow I worked with had a friend who did the lap and before he went he did a signwriters course. He discovered some smaller places had not seen a signwriter for years and would throw money at him which worked out very well. Another fellow I know is an upholsterer and so takes his industrial sewing machine and repairs canvas awnings and other things on the road. Even being a muso can bring benefits. As for me I will never do the lap as I would miss my Grandkids way too much and zoom or facetime are just not the same. Also being a widower now travelling alone does not really appeal to me although the odd short motorbike trip is enjoyable.

[peterlevy]

Just brilliant, just new to your channel, enjoying your start to Europe as well.

[MrLeslloyd]

Glad i did my traveling in the 80's, have no real interest in stopping at those outback stops again, thanks.As for fuel consumption i kept receipts for some years and worked out consumption back home, the SUV's lt/100 calculations don't really matchup, but i suppose close enough.

[Lee-astrololee]

Really enjoyed this video Sue, very helpful and informative. Outlining every eventuality that may occur I.e. trip home, l had not previously considered but is a good point! I also budget for replacement of clothes, mostly via op shops as l pack real light in this dept and have found you do wear out shorts and tops too.

[AnnWood-qz]

Like to see your brewery's in Tasmania 😊

[prdsjfamily]

Thank you Sue and Nigel, I like the sound of a van for travelling. Hope to see your next video soon. Thank you for sharing. :)

[PabloP]

Fuel is absolutely the major cost, so number one tip is to drive at 90kmh, not 100 as that helps a lot and believe me on many occasions I would go for "hours" and not see another vehicle.. I recently did a full lap in just over 3 weeks and that did not include going via Darwin, as I had been there several times, and the fuel cost for my 4WD sprinter was just over $3000. Food comes next, and was the other item worth considering as a significant cost.