No one is a stranger to COVID-19 lockdowns and all the consequences that come with it – we’ve all had to experience it at some point since the beginning of 2020. You might be thinking that there’s no point in taking off on your Big Lap now because so many states are currently in lockdown. Perhaps you’re in lockdown and don’t see there being any hope that you’ll be able to get outdoors again…
Well, just because the lockdown and its restrictions are out of your control doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dreams of doing the Big Lap. In fact, we’re going to share with you why lockdown is actually the perfect time to start planning your Big Lap!
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Locked In Means More Time
While many Aussies are currently working from home, the now non-existent commute to and from work leaves extra time at the start and end of your day to do more things you want. So, why not grab your laptop and start doing some research for your Big Lap? If you take a couple of hours a day to start thinking about it, when lockdown ends, you can devote your spare time to packing and buying the things you need.
No International Travel Any Time Soon
We all know that, sadly, international travel will most likely be off the cards for many more years to come. Some of you might be thinking your chances of travel are also off the cards… but, that’s where domestic travel comes in. Australia is a massive country – there’s so much to see and do, you definitely won’t be able to see it all, which is why this is the perfect time to do the Big Lap.
Get Outdoors
Ok, so you might not be able to get outdoors much right now if you’re in lockdown, but, if staying indoors has taught us anything it’s that no one likes being trapped inside with no end in sight. That’s why you should start planning your Big Lap now. Once you get out of lockdown, the first thing you’ll want to do is be outdoors as much as possible. Take advantage of the extra free time you have now and get to planning – where will you go first, when will you leave, the list goes on.
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Wait Times On Caravans
Given that everyone wants to travel Australia right now, there are incredibly long wait times to order and build caravans. Seeing as you’re in lockdown right now and can’t go anywhere for the time being, now is a great time to start researching what brand of caravan you’d like and what kind of modifications you would like to make. While you might not be able to actually get out and look at caravans, many caravan dealerships have photos online for you to peruse. Put your order in once you’ve decided on a caravan so when lockdown ends, you can hit the road sooner.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Caravan
Budget
If there’s one benefit of lockdown, it’s the fact that you can’t leave your house (unless it’s for one of the essential reasons) to spend money on unnecessary things. Yes, online shopping still exists, but, if you’re serious about doing the Big Lap, being confined to your home is the perfect time to start your budget. It’s important to do this before you leave for your Big Lap so you can save as much money as possible.
“Window” Online Shopping
You’re probably thinking that this goes against what we just said about budgeting… yes, that is sort of true, but, the key here is “window” online shopping. Seeing as you can’t go out and shop for supplies for your Big Lap, online shopping is the next best thing. So you don’t break the budget, you can make sure you only browse and get some ideas about what sort of supplies you’ll need to make sure you have for the road.
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Related: 9 Fantastic Places To Find All Your Camping Necessities For Your Big Lap
Start Your Packing List
Perhaps one of the toughest things about the Big Lap is making sure you have everything packed in your van. If you’re one of the lucky people who already has your caravan, start loading items into it that you don’t currently need. This means that when lockdown ends and the time comes to leave, you won’t have the stress of last-minute packing.
Consult Travel Blogs & Guides
While you might be in lockdown, there are still plenty of Aussies who aren’t; some are even doing their Big Lap right now. That means there’s plenty of resources for you to consult. You could even join Big Lap community groups on social media and ask for advice from current travellers. This can help you plan where you want to start your Lap and it might also shape which direction you take off in. Plus, you’ll be able to map out a few highlights and campsites to stop at along the way.
Take this newfound spare time that lockdown has granted you and put it to good use! Just because you can’t leave the house doesn’t mean you can’t still plan your trip.
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Related: How To Decide When To Go On Your Big Lap
