Big Lap Gear for Pets

Travelling the Big Lap with a pet means additional gear for safety, comfort, containment, and health. The Australian climate (extreme heat, distance between vets, and wildlife encounters) makes some of these items genuinely essential rather than nice-to-have. Here’s what to pack, what to skip, and what’s worth spending more on.

Travel & Vehicle Safety

Travel crate or car harness. Your dog needs to be safely restrained while driving. A secured crate in the vehicle is the safest option; a crash-tested car harness (like the Kurgo or EzyDog Click) is the alternative. Loose dogs in a vehicle are a hazard in a sudden stop or accident. Depending on your state, it may also be a legal requirement.

Non-slip mat for the boot or back seat. Stops your dog sliding around during cornering and braking. A rubber-backed mat or purpose-built boot liner works well.

Containment At Camp

Long tether and ground stake ($20-40). The most common setup. A corkscrew ground stake screwed into soft ground with a 5-10 metre cable or lead attached. Gives your dog room to move without needing constant supervision. Check the ground stake holds before leaving your dog.

Portable pet fence/playpen ($80-200). Creates a contained area at camp without tethering. Useful for dogs that get tangled on tethers or for giving them a defined space. Brands like the Coolaroo Pet Pen or various mesh playpens fold flat for storage.

Standard lead and collar/harness. For walks, park visits, and anywhere your dog needs to be close. A 1.5-2 metre lead is standard. Retractable leads are fine for open areas but not suitable for shared campgrounds or near roads.

Cooling & Climate Comfort

Cooling mat ($25-60). Gel-based mats that stay cool without refrigeration. Dogs lie on them to lower their body temperature. Essential for the tropics and outback. The self-activating pressure type (no water or freezing required) is the most practical for travel.

Elevated pet bed ($40-80). Lifts your dog off the hot ground and allows airflow underneath. A Coolaroo-style elevated bed is the Big Lap standard: durable, easy to clean, and folds for travel. Far better than a regular pet bed on hot ground.

Shade cloth or pet shade ($20-50). Portable shade for camps where natural shade is limited. A small tarp, shade sail, or purpose-built pet shade creates a cool zone. Your annex or awning works too, but having a dedicated pet shade area outside the main living space keeps everyone happy.

Portable water bowls ($10-20). Collapsible or clip-on bowls for walks and travel. Carry at least two: one for camp, one for walks. A larger bowl at camp should be refreshed multiple times daily in hot weather.

Health & Safety

Pet first aid kit ($30-60). Build one or buy a pre-made kit. Include: tick removal tool, wound wash/saline, bandages and gauze, antiseptic cream, tweezers, antihistamines (vet-approved dosage), thermometer, and emergency vet contact numbers.

Tick prevention. Paralysis ticks are lethal and present along much of the east coast. Use a vet-recommended tick prevention product (NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica, or Seresto collar) and check your dog daily in tick areas. Carry a tick removal tool and know the signs of tick paralysis: wobbly back legs, changed bark, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.

Poo bags (bulk supply). Buy a bulk roll before you leave. You’ll go through hundreds over a Big Lap. Biodegradable options are better for the environment and many bush camps have no bins.

Medications. Carry at least a month’s extra supply of any regular medications (flea/tick/heartworm prevention, any prescription medications). Getting specific brands in remote towns is unreliable.

Comfort & Extras

Dog-specific sleeping setup. A bed or blanket for inside the caravan. Dogs sleep better with something familiar. Washable covers are practical given the dust, sand, and mud they’ll encounter.

Towel for drying. Microfibre towels dry dogs quickly and pack small. Carry at least one dedicated dog towel.

LED collar or clip-on light ($10-20). For evening walks at camp and visibility on roads. Essential at dusk and dawn when wildlife (and vehicles) are active.

Treat pouch for walks. Useful for recall training and distracting your dog from wildlife encounters. A small bag clipped to your belt keeps treats accessible.