Big Lap Budget Hack: How House Sitting Saved Us $1,300 Over Christmas

This is our favourite Big Lap Budget Hack, designed to save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on accommodation.

Anyone who has travelled Australia during December knows exactly what caravan parks look like during the festive season.

Packed to capacity with holidaymakers, prices at their annual peak, and the general mayhem that comes with school holidays and Christmas celebrations all rolled into one chaotic month.

This year, however, we took a completely different approach. We spent Christmas in a spacious home on an organic farm near Margaret River, paid absolutely nothing for accommodation, and sidestepped all the stress that comes with peak season camping.

The solution was house sitting, and it turned out to be one of the smartest decisions we’ve made during our travels around Australia.

An Unexpected Introduction to House Sitting

Our journey into house sitting started somewhat unexpectedly a few months before Christmas. A friend we’d met during our travels in Whyalla reached out with an urgent request. Her parents, who live in the beautiful Perth hills suburb of Kalamunda, had been let down by their dog sitter at the last minute. They needed someone reliable to look after their little dog Ted for two and a half weeks, and she immediately thought of us.

We didn’t hesitate to say yes. The commitment seemed straightforward enough, and we were curious about what it would be like to step out of van life temporarily and into a proper home.

What we discovered during those two and a half weeks was a revelation. Living in a spacious house with a full kitchen, sleeping in a proper bed, and being part of a genuine residential community was refreshing in ways we hadn’t anticipated. Kalamunda itself is a gorgeous area, with its leafy streets, local cafes, and easy access to everything the Perth Hills has to offer.

That first house sitting experience planted a seed in our minds. As Christmas approached and we started thinking about where we’d spend the holidays, the idea of house sitting emerged as an appealing alternative to the inevitable caravan park chaos.

Finding Our Christmas House Sit

We joined one of the popular house sitting platforms, created a profile, and started browsing available opportunities. The competition for house sits during peak season is fierce, as you might imagine, but we were proactive and flexible with our preferences. Within a reasonable timeframe, we secured what turned out to be an absolute gem of a placement.

Our Christmas house sit was located on the outskirts of Margaret River, one of Western Australia’s most sought-after destinations.

The property was an organic farm spanning approximately 185 acres, complete with 100 free-range chickens, a herd of Dexter cows, and a beautiful Labradoodle named Diesel. The location put us about 15 to 20 minutes from Margaret River town centre, close enough to access everything we needed but far enough to enjoy genuine rural peace and quiet.

The property owners were heading overseas for the holidays and needed responsible people to manage the daily farm routines and care for Diesel. For us, it represented the perfect opportunity to experience a different side of the Margaret River region while taking a break from the van and avoiding the December caravan park premium.

Daily Life on an Organic Farm

Our responsibilities were clearly defined from the outset, which is one of the most important aspects of any house sitting arrangement. The owners walked us through everything during our initial meeting, ensuring we understood exactly what was expected and felt confident we could handle it.

My main duty was caring for Diesel, feeding him twice daily and making sure he had company and attention. Having owned a Labradoodle myself years ago, I have a real appreciation for the breed. They’re intelligent, affectionate dogs that thrive on routine and companionship, and Diesel was no exception. He quickly became a highlight of our days on the farm.

Kev took on the chicken responsibilities, which were more involved but still manageable. Each morning and evening, he’d hop on the farm’s quad bike and head out to the mobile chicken coop where the flock lived.

The chickens were remarkably self-sufficient in many ways. They’d naturally return to their coop at dusk to roost, and an automatic door system would release them each morning to spend their days foraging in the paddock. His main task was collecting eggs three times throughout the day.

The egg production from 100 chickens is quite impressive. Kev would collect anywhere from 80 to 100 eggs daily, which Kev would then clean and store in a dedicated shed.

A farmhand who worked on the property four days a week would handle those duties and the sorting and preparation for market, and another local would collect the produce for sale at the Margaret River farmers markets. The Dexter cows, meanwhile, required virtually no intervention from us. They grazed contentedly in their paddocks and drank from the large dam on the property, completely self-sufficient.

The Financial Reality of Our Decision

Let’s talk about the economics of this choice, because the financial benefit of house sitting during peak season is substantial. We arrived at the property the day before Christmas Eve and stayed through to mid-January. That’s approximately 27 nights of accommodation in one of Australia’s premium holiday destinations during the absolute busiest time of the year.

If we’d stayed in caravan parks during that same period, even at a conservative estimate of 50 dollars per night, we would have spent around 1,350 dollars on accommodation alone. And let’s be honest, 50 dollars per night is quite modest for Margaret River in December and January. Many parks in the area charge significantly more during peak season, especially for powered sites suitable for caravans.

By house sitting, we saved that entire amount. Our only financial obligation was the annual membership fee for the house sitting platform, which was approximately 80 dollars. Even accounting for that cost, we were dramatically ahead financially. For travellers on extended big laps or those managing tight travel budgets, this kind of saving can make a real difference to how long you can stay on the road.

The Unexpected Benefits Beyond Budget

The financial saving was significant, but the benefits of house sitting extended well beyond the monetary aspect. Having access to a full-sized kitchen meant we could prepare proper meals without the space constraints of our van. We could cook larger batches, experiment with more complex recipes, and generally enjoy the process of cooking in a way that’s challenging in a compact caravan kitchen.

The laundry facilities were another luxury we’d almost forgotten about. Being able to wash and dry clothes efficiently, without queuing for camp kitchen facilities or paying per load. Or doing several tiny loads in our 3.5 kg caravan washing machine. We caught up on all our washing and even tackled some items that are difficult to manage in typical caravan park laundries.

The space itself was perhaps the most valuable benefit. After months of living in close quarters in our van, having separate rooms, multiple living areas, and the ability to spread out was incredibly refreshing. We could work on different projects in different spaces, have some separation when we wanted it, and generally just breathe a bit more easily.

The Practical Aspects of House Sitting

It’s important to understand that house sitting isn’t simply free accommodation with no obligations. It’s a fair exchange of services. You’re providing genuine value to the property owners by caring for their home, pets, and in our case, livestock. In return, you receive free accommodation and the benefits that come with it.

Both families we’ve house sat for commented that their homes looked cleaner upon their return than when they’d left. This wasn’t accidental. We made a deliberate effort to maintain and even improve the condition of the properties.

Coming home from holidays is stressful enough without facing a messy house and immediate chores. Creating a welcoming, clean environment for the owners’ return felt like the right thing to do, and it also ensures positive reviews on the house sitting platforms.

These reviews are crucial for securing future house sits. The platforms operate on a trust-based system where both parties review each other after the arrangement concludes. Building a strong profile with excellent reviews makes it much easier to secure desirable house sits in popular locations during peak times.

Getting Started with House Sitting

For anyone interested in exploring house sitting as a travel option, the process is reasonably straightforward. You’ll need to join at least one house sitting platform. There are several operating in Australia and internationally, each with slightly different focuses and membership structures. We found it worthwhile to invest in a membership with one of the more established platforms.

Creating a compelling profile is essential. Include clear photos of yourselves, preferably with animals if possible, as this helps establish trust with pet owners. Write a detailed bio that highlights relevant experience, whether that’s pet ownership, farm work, property maintenance, or simply responsible home ownership. Be honest about your skills and limitations. Overpromising and underdelivering is the quickest way to damage your reputation.

References are valuable, especially when you’re starting out. If you’ve done any informal house sitting for friends or family, ask them for written references. Even experience with pet sitting, dog walking, or caring for animals can strengthen your profile.

Communication with potential hosts is critical. We made a point of meeting both families in person before committing to the house sits. These meetings allowed us to see the properties, understand the daily routines, meet the animals, and ask detailed questions about expectations. It also gave the owners a chance to assess whether they felt comfortable with us. This face-to-face interaction builds trust on both sides and helps avoid misunderstandings later.

Recognising Red Flags

Not every house sitting opportunity is ideal, and it’s important to recognise warning signs before committing. Unclear or constantly changing expectations are a major red flag. If the property owner is vague about responsibilities or keeps deferring your questions, that’s a concern. You need to know exactly what’s expected before you agree to anything.

Poor communication during the initial contact phase often indicates ongoing communication problems. Both our house sitting experiences involved property owners who were responsive, clear, and organised in their communication. Even when the Margaret River owners were overseas in a different timezone, they responded to our messages promptly and kept us informed.

Be cautious of arrangements that seem unbalanced or unreasonable. The standard house sitting arrangement involves you providing care and security in exchange for free accommodation. If owners start adding financial obligations like expecting you to pay for utilities, that’s outside normal practice. Similarly, if the list of responsibilities seems excessive for the accommodation offered, it’s worth questioning whether it’s a fair exchange.

When Things Don’t Go According to Plan

A common concern about house sitting is what happens if something goes wrong. In both our experiences, the property owners provided comprehensive information covering potential emergencies. For Diesel, we had complete veterinary contact information and knew that all costs were covered by the owners’ pet insurance. We had emergency contact numbers for the owners themselves, as well as local friends or family members who could assist if needed.

We were fortunate that nothing serious went wrong during either house sit, but we did face one challenge that was entirely beyond our control. On Christmas Day, at approximately one o’clock in the afternoon, the power went out. This wouldn’t normally be catastrophic, but several factors made it more challenging. The temperature that day was 40 degrees, so losing air conditioning was immediately uncomfortable. More significantly, because the farm relied on dam water pumped to the house, losing electricity meant losing water supply as well.

The power remained off until about 9.30 that evening. Apparently, a telegraph pole had caught fire and burned through, bringing down the power lines. Replacing the pole and reconnecting everything on Christmas Day was no small task, and we were genuinely grateful to the workers who gave up their holiday to restore power.

Fortunately, our van was parked nearby, so we had access to our own facilities. We spent most of the afternoon sitting under the veranda trying to catch any hint of breeze, and while it wasn’t the most comfortable Christmas Day we’ve experienced, it certainly made for a memorable story. More importantly, it demonstrated that even when unexpected things happen, most situations are manageable with a bit of flexibility and resourcefulness.

The Surprising Longing for the Road

One of the most interesting aspects of our house sitting experience was discovering our own limits for being stationary. After about a week of enjoying the space, the comfort, and the routine of farm life, we started feeling restless. The open road was calling, and we found ourselves planning our next destinations and looking forward to getting back in the van.

This surprised us somewhat. We’d imagined that after months of travelling, we’d relish an extended break from van life. While we certainly appreciated the experience and the change of pace, it confirmed something important about ourselves. We’re travellers at heart, and while house sitting offers wonderful benefits, it works best for us in shorter stints.

We used the time productively. Being stationary gave me an opportunity to thoroughly sort through our belongings in the van. I’d lost about four dress sizes over the previous year, which meant I had a considerable amount of clothing that no longer fitted. I gathered everything up and donated it to local charities.

I also went through our entire pantry, checked expiry dates on stored food, pulled out all the seats to clean underneath, and generally gave the van the kind of deep clean that’s difficult to do when you’re constantly on the move.

Having that time and space to properly organise and clean was valuable, and it’s one of the often-overlooked benefits of house sitting. You can tackle those maintenance and organisation tasks that keep getting pushed aside when you’re travelling.

Is House Sitting Right for Your Big Lap?

Whether house sitting makes sense for your travels depends on several factors. If you’re on a strict timeline to complete your lap, committing to house sits of several weeks might not align with your goals. However, if you’re travelling indefinitely or on an extended timeline, incorporating house sits into your journey can offer significant benefits.

The financial savings are undeniable, particularly during peak seasons when caravan park rates are at their highest. For anyone travelling on a budget or looking to extend their time on the road, those savings add up quickly. Beyond the money, house sitting provides a genuine break from van life without the expense of hotels or rental accommodation.

For those new to house sitting, we’d recommend starting with shorter commitments. A three-day weekend house sit or a week-long placement gives you a chance to experience it without a major time commitment. You might discover that you love it and want to pursue longer opportunities, or you might find that you prefer the freedom of staying in your van. Either outcome is valuable information for planning your travels.

The ideal length of a house sit is personal. For us, we’ve found that one week feels like the minimum to make it worthwhile, while two to four weeks is the sweet spot. It’s long enough to properly settle in, explore the area, and enjoy the benefits of the space, but not so long that we start feeling too disconnected from our travels.

Making House Sitting Work for You

If you decide to explore house sitting, approach it strategically. Sign up for platforms well in advance of when you want to house sit. Peak season opportunities in popular locations fill quickly, so give yourself at least two to three months’ lead time if possible. Set up alerts for areas you’re planning to visit so you’re notified immediately when new opportunities arise.

Be realistic about your capabilities and preferences. If you’re not comfortable with farm animals, don’t apply for farm sits. If you have limited experience with certain types of pets, be upfront about that. Finding the right match between your skills and the property’s needs leads to better experiences for everyone involved.

Consider how house sitting fits into your broader travel plans. You can use a house sit as a base for exploring a region more thoroughly than you might if you were constantly moving. Having a central location for a few weeks allows you to take day trips, visit local attractions multiple times, and really get to know an area.

House sitting can also solve practical problems like receiving mail or parcels, completing vehicle maintenance, or waiting out poor weather. We had several deliveries sent to the Margaret River property, which was far more convenient than trying to coordinate mail collection while constantly moving.

Our Verdict on House Sitting

Would we house sit again? Absolutely. Would we specifically seek out house sitting opportunities during peak seasons? Without question. The combination of financial savings, access to space and amenities, and the opportunity to experience different parts of Australia from a local’s perspective makes house sitting a valuable tool in the long-term traveller’s toolkit.

It’s not for everyone, and it’s not appropriate for every stage of a journey around Australia. But for those on extended trips, travelling full-time, or simply looking for an alternative to expensive peak-season caravan parks, house sitting deserves serious consideration.

Our Christmas on an organic farm near Margaret River gave us memories, experiences, and yes, significant savings that have all contributed positively to our ongoing adventure around this incredible country. It’s an option we’ll definitely be exploring again as we continue our travels.

For anyone planning a lap of Australia, whether it’s your first or your fifth, consider adding house sitting to your list of accommodation options. It might just be the budget hack and travel experience you didn’t know you needed.