Blog Travelling The Big Lap? Here Our Tips and Tricks

The Big Lap. It’s the retiree’s dream, and the young family must do. Traveling the Big Lap means taking on some tricky environments, and seeing some “nowhere else on earth” things. We’re always putting together ideas for the long-haul traveler, so we thought we’d share a few of our top insights for your trip of a lifetime.

Preparing to Travel The Big Lap

Safety, Towing and Gear

What do you need to take, what do you need to know? Here’s everything you need to know about travelling The Big Lap safely, and fully prepared.

• How To Videos for Using Your Caravan Safely
• Caravanning 101
• First time towing
• Tool packing List
• Tare weight and other tricky terminology
• Tire pressure
• Maintenance guide
• How much water do you need?
• Caravan Roadworthy Certificate

Weather and Terrain

You’re heading out to see all of Australia’s mainland. You’re going to see some amazing things, from the desert to the ocean, the tropical north to the snowy mountains. Here’s what you need to know about traveling in all weather and on all terrains.

• Assessing 4WD tracks
• Traveling 4WD tracks
• Storm season safety
• Winter Camping
• Driving the Nullarbor
• Beach Camping

Detours and Things to See on the Big Lap

Our team, and all the JAWA family have seen just about everything there is to see thanks to decades of off road camping, multiple trips around The Big Lap and some detours that only the brave will take. We’ve visited places we don’t recommend and places we love to pieces. We’ll keep updating all our top travel tips so you’ve always got the inside scoop on where to go on your big drive!

• Queensland in Summer
• Explore the World’s Biggest Sand Islands
• Off-road camping on the Barrier Reef
• Where to go near Townsville
• Rainbow Beach Camping
• Sunshine Coast Camping
• White Cliffs Camping
• Outback tracks we love
• Full Off Grid Camping Ideas
• Australia’s most Insta worthy landscape destinations
• Western Australia highlights
• Off-roading near Perth
• Where to stay near Sydney
• New England Highway
• Detours between Sydney and Brisbane
• 4WD tracks near Sydney
• Best of NSW Off Road
• Blue Mountains Destinations
• Noosa to Broome trip
• Where to stay near Brisbane

Choosing the Best Off-Road Camper for The Big Lap

Are you really going to travel the Queensland Coast without visiting the world’s largest sand islands, or the stunning remote beaches out on the reef? You’ll need an off road camper to see most of what Australia has to offer because most of the best stuff, is off the beaten, asphalt track. You’ll also need plenty of storage and some space if you want to enjoy a big trip, and stay married! Those little luxury items you don’t need on a weekend away, you will need if you’re doing The Big Lap. So, which off road caravan should you choose if you’re planning to be away for months, or even years?

Lowdown Escape	Sleeps two, has tons of storage, low travel height for fuel efficiency, pops out to 16 feet!
Infinity Escape	Sleeps two, has tons of storage, pops out to 18 feet, designed specifically for The Big Lap
The Commander	Sleeps two, is our “Hotel on Wheels”, all the mod cons, simple set up, just arrive and enjoy!
Tarwarri 18	Sleeps up to five, all the mod cons for the whole family, all the space, all the storage!
Tarwarri Escape	OUR BRAND NEW MODEL FOR 2025 PRE ORDER NOW Sleeps two, all the mod cons, simple set up and designed especially for “The Big Lap”.
Retreat Bunk	Sleeps four, designed to maximise indoor/outdoor living in rain, snow or heat.

Stop in at JAWA!

Always feel free to pop in and say hello at any of our JAWA locations!

Jawa Caravans Perth | Jawa Caravans Sydney | Jawa Caravans Brisbane

Jawa Caravans Sunshine Coast | Jawa Caravans Townsville