In this episode of Big Lap Chats, Annette sits down with Millie & Matt from Willow Road Adventures, who have just completed their first lap of Australia with their two young kids, Willow and Ruben.
They share how long work hours and missing the kids' early years pushed them to leave, what it's really like to live in a van full-time, and why not having a strict timeline has been the best decision they've made.
From Port Lincoln to the Ningaloo, Kununurra, Darwin and the Gibb, they've learned to travel slower, follow the weather and say yes to opportunities as they appear.
We cover:
• The moment they realised work was costing them family time
• Living in a caravan full-time and working their way around Australia
• How they ended up with eight weeks at Ningaloo without booking months ahead
• Travelling in shoulder and off-seasons to avoid crowds
• Safety in outback towns vs media hype
• Their top money-saving habits on the road
• Why a lap of Australia is not one long holiday
• The importance of knowing your own rig, including the story of friends who did a full lap in a brand new 79 series and never had their fuel filter changed, despite dealer servicing
If you're planning a Big Lap with kids or already on the road and feeling the pressure to "do it all," this conversation is a reassuring reminder that you don't need to be a master planner to live this lifestyle.
Read about and connect with Millie & Matt here: https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/big-lap-with-kids/
For more support, behind-the-scenes chats and practical planning help, join the Big Lap Chats Crew: https://blccrew.allaroundoz.com.au/
