More Big Lappers are travelling with dogs than ever before, and the gear market has caught up. From portable fencing systems that give your dog a safe off-lead area at camp, to vehicle safety restraints that meet Australian standards, to cooling mats that handle 40°C outback heat, there’s a product for every challenge that comes with taking your dog on the road.
The essentials break into four categories: containment (keeping your dog safe and contained at camp), travel safety (keeping them secure in the vehicle), everyday comfort (bed, bowls, shade), and health (tick prevention, first aid, hydration). This guide covers all four with specific product recommendations.
Travelling With Dogs: The Gear You Need
The gear you need depends on your dog, your van, and your travel style. A small dog that sleeps inside the van and rides in the back seat needs different kit to a large working breed that sleeps outside and rides in the ute tray. But certain basics are universal: your dog needs to be safely contained during travel, safely contained at camp, comfortable in all weather, and protected from the unique health risks of travelling across Australia (ticks, snakes, heat, unfamiliar water sources).
Australian road rules require dogs to be safely restrained in vehicles. An unrestrained dog in a moving vehicle is a safety risk and can result in fines. In most states, dogs in the back of a ute must be tethered or in a secured crate.
Containment & Fencing
At camp, your dog needs a safe space. Not every campsite is fenced, and even “pet-friendly” camps rarely have enclosed areas. A portable fencing system or tie-out gives your dog room to move without you worrying about them wandering off, approaching other campers, or encountering wildlife. This is particularly important at free camps and bush camps where there are no boundaries.
Options range from simple screw-in ground stakes with a long lead ($15–$30) to full portable fencing systems that create an enclosed yard ($100–$350). The right choice depends on your dog’s size, temperament, and how much space you want to give them.
Travel Safety
Keeping your dog safely restrained during travel protects them, protects you, and keeps you legal. The options include vehicle harnesses that clip into seatbelt buckles, travel crates that sit in the boot or back seat, and barriers that section off the cargo area. What works best depends on your vehicle layout, your dog’s size, and how they travel.
Comfort & Everyday Gear
Dog bed: A durable, washable travel dog bed ($30–$80) that can handle dirt, sand, and daily use. Elevated mesh beds (like the Coolaroo range, $30–$60) keep dogs off hot or cold ground and are easy to hose clean. Canvas or heavy-duty fabric beds are more portable but harder to clean.
Bowls: Collapsible silicone bowls ($5–$15) are the most packable. Stainless steel bowls with a non-slip base ($10–$20) are more durable for camp use. Carry at least two: one for water, one for food. A large water bowl stays at camp; a collapsible one travels in the car for stops.
Shade: Dogs overheat quickly in Australian conditions. A shade cloth or portable shade sail ($20–$50) attached to the awning gives them a cool spot outside the van. Cooling mats ($20–$50) that activate with pressure (no refrigeration needed) are popular for hot days.
Lead and tie-out: A standard lead for walks, plus a long tie-out cable ($15–$30) with a ground screw for camp. The ground screw screws into dirt or grass and gives the dog a radius of movement on a cable rather than being tied to a chair leg (which they’ll drag across the campsite).
Health & First Aid
Tick prevention: Paralysis ticks are found along the eastern Australian coast and are potentially fatal to dogs. Ensure your dog is on a current tick prevention treatment (Nexgard, Bravecto, or Simparica) before entering tick-prone areas. Carry a tick removal tool ($5–$10) and know the symptoms of tick paralysis.
Dog first aid kit: A basic kit ($20–$40) should include: bandages, antiseptic wash, tweezers, tick remover, eye wash, antihistamine (vet-approved dose), and your vet’s contact details. Keep a copy of your dog’s vaccination records and any medications.
Water: Don’t let your dog drink from unfamiliar water sources (dams, creeks, puddles) in areas where blue-green algae or contamination is possible. Carry enough fresh water for your dog as well as yourself, particularly in remote areas.
Vet access: Research vet locations along your route before you travel. In remote areas, the nearest vet may be hours away. Pet insurance is worth considering for the Big Lap.
- Dogs must be safely restrained in vehicles. A crash-tested harness or secure crate is mandatory, not optional.
- A portable fencing system or tie-out gives your dog safe freedom at camp.
- Tick prevention is critical on the east coast. Keep treatments current and carry a tick removal tool.
- Carry enough water for your dog, particularly in remote areas. Don’t let them drink from unknown sources.
- Budget $200–$500 for a comprehensive dog travel gear setup.
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