This is a quick-reference breakdown of the major weekly expenses on the Big Lap, designed to be bookmarked and revisited when you’re building or reviewing your budget. For the full detail behind each category, see our weekly breakdown guide.
The Big Five: accommodation, fuel, food, activities, and miscellaneous. These five categories account for roughly 90% of your weekly spend.
Accommodation: The Biggest Variable
Free camping: $0/night. Council reserves, rest areas, station stays, bush camps. WikiCamps is your essential tool. Quality varies from spectacular to functional.
Low-cost camping: $5 to $25/night. National parks, some council campgrounds, basic private camps. Usually unpowered. National park passes reduce per-night costs significantly.
Caravan parks: $35 to $90+/night for a powered site. Amenities included: showers, laundry, camp kitchen, sometimes pool. Prices vary by location and season. Peak season in popular areas commands premium rates.
Weekly impact: Mostly free camping = $0 to $50/week. A 50/50 mix = $100 to $250/week. Mostly parks = $250 to $630/week. This single decision is worth more to your budget than every other saving strategy combined.
Fuel: The Fixed Reality
Typical consumption while towing: 14 to 22L/100km depending on vehicle, van weight, terrain, and speed.
Fuel prices: $1.80 to $2.20/L in populated areas. $2.20 to $2.70/L in remote areas. Check fuel apps before filling up.
Weekly costs at $2.00/L average:
| Weekly Distance | At 14L/100km | At 18L/100km | At 22L/100km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300km | $84 | $108 | $132 |
| 500km | $140 | $180 | $220 |
| 700km | $196 | $252 | $308 |
Key savings: Slow down (95km/h saves 10 to 15% vs 110km/h). Fill up before remote stretches. Use fuel apps and loyalty programs. Combined savings of $500 to $1,500 over a 30,000km trip.
Food & Groceries
Cooking at the van (couple): $100 to $180/week from groceries. Stock up at major centres (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi) and top up at regional IGAs.
Eating out costs: Pub meal for two: $40 to $70. Café breakfast for two: $25 to $40. Fish and chips: $20 to $30. One meal out per week adds ~$50 to $70.
Regional premium: 20 to 40% more expensive in small-town IGAs compared to city supermarkets. A $5 item in Brisbane is $7 in a remote outback town.
Family adjustment: Family of four spends $200 to $350/week on food. Teenagers push toward the upper end.
The Other Costs
Phone/data: $50 to $100/month (Telstra). Add $139 to $180/month for Starlink.
Gas refills: $20 to $35 per 9kg bottle, every 1 to 6 weeks depending on usage.
Laundry: $5 to $15/load, 1 to 3 times/week.
Vehicle consumables: $10 to $30/week averaged (oil, washer fluid, bulbs, minor repairs).
Personal/toiletries: $10 to $20/week (sunscreen, insect repellent, medications).
Activities: $0 (free) to $200/week depending on how many paid experiences you do.
Surprise costs: Budget $50 to $100/week buffer. Tyre repairs, vet visits, broken gear, fines, and the unexpected.
- Accommodation is your biggest budget lever. Your free camp vs caravan park split affects your weekly spend more than any other single decision.
- Fuel is relatively fixed at $100 to $350/week for most setups. Slow down and plan your fills to save.
- Food is controllable at $100 to $350/week. Cook at the van, stock up at major centres, and treat dining out as a deliberate choice.
- Budget $50 to $100/week for miscellaneous costs: phone, gas, laundry, consumables, and the inevitable surprises.
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