Family Travel Australia: How Exploring with the Chilli’s Balance Homeschooling, Budgets & Big Lap Adventures
Exploring With The Chilli's
Family Travel Australia - When Grief Sparks a Life of Adventure
Josh and Sianne’s Big Lap journey didn’t begin with a love for the open road, it started with loss.
In 2021, after the heartbreaking loss of Josh’s dad to cancer, the couple had a moment of clarity that many of us only come to when life forces us to stop and reassess. Their youngest was just four months old. Life was hectic. The grind was relentless. And suddenly, the urgency to live more intentionally became impossible to ignore.
“We realised how quickly things can change,” Sianne shared. “That grief was our wake-up call.”
So, they did what many dream of but few commit to: they packed up, borrowed a mate’s caravan, and hit the road for Queensland.
They returned three months later, not just with memories, but with a deep longing for more. The travel bug had bitten and it wasn’t letting go.
Letting Go of "Normal" for the Unknown
It didn’t take long before they found themselves at a dealership signing the papers and buying their own van. They weren’t just talking about chasing freedom anymore they were doing it.
Fast forward to today, and the family has been on the road for over three years. They've criss-crossed Australia, worked along the way, sold their home to keep going, and embraced a new kind of normal that most only dream about.
But the transition wasn’t all sunshine and coastal views.
Why the First Month Feels So Damn Hard
“The first month on the road is tough,” Josh admitted. “You’re leaving structure behind, and it takes a while to adjust.”
They were quick to point out a common trap many fall into expecting it to feel like a holiday straight away. But for both parents and kids, the mental shift takes time. Routines disappear, emotions fluctuate, and the simplicity you seek can feel distant at first.
Their advice? Be kind to yourself. Let the dust settle.
“Give yourself and the kids time to transition,” Sianne added. “It’s a huge shift, and no one talks about how tricky that can be.”
Life and Learning on the Road
With two daughters aged nine and seven, the Chilli's have embraced the world as their classroom. Homeschooling isn’t without its challenges, but they take a relaxed, interest-led approach that flexes with wherever they are.
From ocean life at Ningaloo to bush tucker in the outback, every stop is a new learning opportunity.
And when they stop to work, Josh’s trade background in painting comes in handy. He picks up work where needed easy enough with trades in high demand across the country. Sianne, a nurse, is looking to dip back into the workforce next year as they explore new rhythms, possibly putting the girls in school temporarily to give everyone a break.
Finding the Best Hidden Gems
Want to know their secret to finding off-the-beaten-track places?
“Talk to other travellers,” they said. “Some of the best spots we’ve found have been tips from people going the opposite way.”
Locals are another goldmine of information if you can coax their secrets out. But nothing beats word-of-mouth and shared campfire stories for uncovering underrated destinations.
Their go-to camping apps? Wikicamps and Campedia. But the best recommendations don’t come with star ratings they come with stories.
Why the Ningaloo Needs a Plan
Despite loving spontaneity, Josh and Sianne admitted the Ningaloo Coast was one place they had to plan ahead. With limited sites and high demand, bookings are essential.
Sianne likened it to getting concert tickets setting alarms and refreshing pages just to secure a spot. But the payoff? Worth every second.
“It was one of our favourite places,” she said. “We’d go back in a heartbeat.”
Top Bucket List Moments
When asked what they’d do again without hesitation, Uluru was the clear favourite.
“There’s just something about it,” Sianne reflected. “It has a presence you can’t describe.”
They also raved about cage diving with great white sharks off Port Lincoln, exploring the Bungle Bungles, and soaking up the turquoise coastlines of Esperance and Cape Le Grand.
Real Talk: It’s Not Always Insta-Perfect
One of the biggest myths they want to bust?
“That every day is amazing,” Josh laughed. “It’s not.”
There are down days. Rainy weeks. Bored kids. Breakdowns, mechanical or emotional. And yes, you’ll still be doing washing, emptying toilet cassettes, and managing grocery runs.
“But the highs definitely outweigh the lows,” said Sianne. “It’s just important to be real about it.”
Money-Saving Hacks from the Road
When it comes to saving money, their top tips are:
Use fuel apps like Petrol Spy to find the cheapest servo.
Stick to free or low-cost camps whenever possible.
Get caravan park memberships like Kui Parks and G’Day to stretch your dollar further, especially useful when you do need to book a park.
Washing, power, and water management can be tricky when free camping, but they’ve developed routines that work like stacking dishes for one end-of-day wash and using multiple toilet cassettes to stretch stays.
And yes, their Y62 Patrol is thirsty, averaging 25–30L per 100km when towing into a head wind. But the comfort and power? Worth every drop.
The One Tip You Never Hear Online
Josh swears by a OBD2 scan gauge a diagnostic tool that plugs into your vehicle’s computer and helps monitor engine stats.
“It gives you peace of mind,” he said. “If something goes wrong, you can clear codes and avoid being stuck in limp mode in the middle of nowhere.”
It’s the kind of tip that doesn’t show up in glossy Instagram captions but could save your whole trip.
Final Thoughts: Just Start
If there’s one message Josh and Sianne want to leave you with, it’s this:
Don’t wait. Make it happen.
Whether it’s a full-time lap, a six-week escape, or a one-off adventure start somewhere. You don’t need the flashiest gear. You don’t need a giant budget. You just need the willingness to begin.
“Life can change in a moment,” Sianne said. “We’ve met so many people who say they wish they’d done it when they had the chance.”
So if you’re still on the fence, take it from two travellers who’ve seen all corners of Australia, raised their kids on the road, and built a life of freedom one kilometre at a time:
The only mistake you’ll regret is not going at all.
Want to Plan Your Own Lap With More Confidence?
If you loved this episode, imagine what you’ll get inside the Big Lap Chats Crew. It’s where travellers like Josh & Sianne share even more behind-the-scenes advice, mistakes to avoid, and practical tips you won’t hear anywhere else.
No fluff. No overwhelm. Just real talk from real lappers.
Join the BLC Crew today and travel with confidence.
Three years ago, we set off in our Leader caravan to explore Australia and we haven’t looked back since.
As a family of four, we’ve embraced slow travel, finding joy in the simple things: mornings by the beach, nights by the campfire and discovering hidden corners of this amazing country.
We work as we go, live lightly and love sharing the journey together.
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All Around Oz acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. {SOURCE}
