HOW TO DO THE BIG LAP

Your go-to guide to seeing the country

It’s on the top of every grey nomad’s bucket list: the Big Lap. Indeed, the thought of kitting out a van, redirecting the mail and taking to the road is an intoxicating prospect to many Australians, from families determined to educate their children as no suburban classroom can to young urbanites literally working their way (remotely) around the country to the aforementioned empty nesters setting a more leisurely pace. Here, we explore the ins and outs of this most Aussie of adventures, from when to go and where to visit along the way to what to pack ...

FIRST THINGS FIRST: WHAT IS THE BIG LAP?

At its most literal, the Big Lap describes the journey to circumnavigate the country at its edge, travelling mainly on Highway 1, which clocks in at about 14,500 kilometres and links almost every mainland state and territory capital. In fact it is considered the longest national highway on the planet, taking in the likes of the Princes Highway, Eyre Highway, Great Northern Highway, Stuart Highway, Bruce Highway and Pacific Highway, among others. Of course, there’s no show without Tasmania, so add a circular trip around our southernmost state, starting in Launceston (put the car/van/caravan on the ferry in Melbourne and alight in Devonport; it’s just over an hour’s drive from there to Launceston) and driving the A10 from Strahan to Hobart and then taking the Great Eastern Drive up to Freycinet, before looping back in to where you started (this will add roughly 1150 kilometres to your total).

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

How long is a piece of string? You can do the Big Lap journey any way you like: in one go, in stages over years, pieced together on tours, and via road, foot, plane or bike. There is no right or wrong way to do the journey; each Big Lap journey is dictated by the passion points of the individual traveller. But, if you want to get micro about it, some brave souls have determined it could be done in a month at a push (and with no fun stuff along the way). Many people undertaking it in one go allow 10 to 12 months to really get the most out of the experience, and even then you probably won’t see absolutely everything. Did someone say Big Lap: The Redux?

THE BEST TIME TO DO IT?

Chasing the optimum weather conditions should dictate your timing: aim to travel through the north of the country during the cooler, drier winter months to avoid extremes of heat and humidity, as well as road closures caused by flooding during the wet season (which takes place in the summer months); the southern states are best experienced during the warmer months.