Travelling With Babies & Toddlers On The Big Lap

Travelling with a baby or toddler on the Big Lap is absolutely doable, and plenty of families do it brilliantly. But it’s a different experience from travelling with older kids. Your days are shaped by nap schedules, your packing list is longer, your pace is slower, and your definition of a successful day is more modest. A family with a 10-year-old might cover 400km and visit a national park. A family with a 15-month-old might cover 200km, hit the playground at a rest stop, and consider it a win. Both are doing the Big Lap right. This guide covers the practical reality of travelling with the under-threes.

Slower pace, shorter drives, more gear. But also more wonder, more flexibility, and zero education admin.

Driving Days With Babies & Toddlers

Drive to the nap. The golden rule. Plan driving around sleep times. Most babies and toddlers will sleep in the car, so your best driving window is when they’d normally nap. For many families, this means starting early in the morning (when baby is drowsy after the morning feed), driving through the morning nap, stopping for lunch and play, then doing a second stint through the afternoon nap if needed.

Maximum driving time: 2 to 3 hours is the realistic maximum for most babies and toddlers before they need out of the car seat. Some do more, some do less. Plan your daily distance around a 2 to 3 hour driving window rather than trying to push longer stretches.

Car seat comfort. Rear-facing seats are mandatory for babies under 6 months and recommended up to 2 years. They’re safe but can be uncomfortable for long periods. Ensure correct recline angle, use a padded head support, and check that harness straps aren’t too tight. Shade the window to prevent sun on a sleeping baby.

Stops. Every 1 to 1.5 hours minimum. Let them out, let them crawl or walk, let them explore. A patch of grass and some freedom is all a toddler needs. Keep a picnic rug in the cab for quick floor-time stops.

Sleeping & Routines

Routine is your anchor. Babies and toddlers thrive on routine, and the best travelling families with littles keep the core routine (sleep times, meal times, bath time) as consistent as possible while everything else flexes around it. Same bedtime, same bedtime process, different location. The routine provides the stability; the changing scenery provides the adventure.

Sleep setup: A portacot or travel cot that fits in the van is essential. Check the space in your caravan before buying; some vans have room for a cot beside the bed, others require creativity. Some families use a compact bassinet for babies that fits on the dinette seat. Others convert a bunk into a cot with mesh sides. Whatever works and is safe.

Nap locations: In the caravan, in the car (during drives), in a pram at camp, or in a portacot under the awning. Flexibility about where naps happen makes life easier. Block out light with curtains or a muslin over the pram. White noise apps or a small portable sound machine help mask campsite noise.

Feeding On The Road

Breastfeeding: The most travel-friendly feeding option. No equipment, no preparation, no storage. Feed anywhere, any time. The main considerations are comfort (a good travel pillow or nursing cushion) and hydration for mum (drink more water than you think you need, especially in hot climates).

Formula: Carry more supply than you think you need. Regional and remote towns may not stock your specific brand. Buy when you see it, not when you run out. You’ll need access to clean water and a way to sterilise bottles. A microwave steriliser works in caravan parks with microwaves. Cold water sterilising tablets work everywhere else. A thermos of hot water prepared in the morning covers bottle preparation during the day.

Solids: Introduce and maintain solids using what’s available in regional towns. Simplify: banana, avocado, toast, yoghurt, tinned fish, and steamed vegetables cover most nutritional needs. Pouches are convenient for travel days but expensive long term. A small stick blender or food masher turns whatever the family is eating into baby food.

Highchair: A clip-on travel highchair or a portable booster seat is more practical than a full-sized highchair. Must be stable on camp tables and van dinettes. Some families use a bumbo-style seat for younger babies.

Nappies, Toileting & Hygiene

Nappy supply: Regional towns stock major nappy brands but not always every size or variety. Buy in bulk when you’re in larger towns. A 2-week supply is the minimum buffer to carry. Cloth nappies are possible on the road but require consistent water access and laundry facilities.

Nappy disposal: At caravan parks, use the regular bins. At free camps and bush camps, you carry everything out. Double bag used nappies and dispose of them at the next town. A dedicated sealed container or dry bag in the tunnel boot keeps the smell contained.

Toilet training: If your toddler is in the process of toilet training, the road adds complexity: unfamiliar toilets, long drives between facilities, and the need for a portable potty. A travel potty that lives in the car eliminates the urgency of finding a toilet at short notice. Line it with bags for easy disposal.

Toddlers don’t need entertainment. They need dirt, sticks, water, and space. The Big Lap provides all four in abundance.

Childproofing The Caravan

Caravans are not designed for toddlers. They’re full of hazards that don’t exist in a childproofed house: gas knobs at toddler height, steps with no gates, sharp corners on bench edges, cupboards that open onto heads, and drawers full of cutlery at reaching height.

Essential modifications: Gas knob covers or removal (use pliers to remove knobs when not cooking). Cabinet locks on every cupboard a toddler can reach. Corner protectors on sharp bench edges. A gate or barrier for the caravan door/steps (a retractable pet gate works for some layouts). Secure loose items that could fall during travel (everything in a caravan moves while towing).

At camp: Scan for hazards on arrival: fire rings, water, sharp objects, ant nests. Set a clear boundary for where the toddler can roam. A portable play fence or enclosure provides a safe play area near the van while you set up camp or cook.

Healthcare Considerations

Babies and toddlers need more frequent healthcare access than older children: immunisation schedules, developmental checks, and the inevitable illnesses that come with being small.

Plan around immunisation schedules. Know when your child’s next vaccinations are due and plan to be near a GP or community health centre on those dates. Most regional towns have GPs who can administer vaccinations.

Carry essentials: Children’s paracetamol and ibuprofen (weight-appropriate doses), rehydration sachets (gastro is common in young children), nappy cream, teething gel, a thermometer, saline nasal spray, and any prescribed medications. Keep well stocked; you may not find a pharmacy in remote areas.

Know the nearest hospital. At every new camp, know where the nearest hospital or emergency department is and how long it takes to get there. For remote camps, this information matters more with a baby than with older kids.