‘$30k over budget’: How much it really costs to lap Australia
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It’s the ultimate travel dream of many Aussies: leaving everything behind and setting off in a campervan around the nation.
Now, a couple who spent 13 months on the road visiting every state have revealed just how much it cost.
Shayla and Oscar travelled Australia in a Land Cruiser. Shayla Mansell
Shayla Mancell, 27, who works in marketing and electrician Oscar Bird, 30, travelled in a GXL 76 Series Land Cruiser and towed a tinny.
The pair, who post as @wattleandwander online, had budgeted $60k. They saved up for two years for the trip, and Shayla worked remotely.
And they revealed it cost them a total of $90,342.
That’s around $228 a day.
It’s no surprise the biggest cost was fuel.
That added up to almost $20k, and it was mostly before the Middle East sent prices rocketing.
But they say the biggest on the road cost surprise, was accommodation. It cost them around $5300, despite having their own rooftop tent.
“I know $5000 doesn’t sound like much next to what someone pays in rent each week, but we really expected there to be more free camping options available, which in hindsight was pretty naive of us,” Shayla told nine.com.au.
Oscar Birdand Shayla Mancell from the NSW Mid north travelled in a GXL 76 Series Land Cruiser and towed a tinny. Shayla Mancell
Another unexpected cost was repairs to their vehicle. It set them back $14,500.
“We knew something would break eventually, we just didn’t expect to be buying a whole new suspension mid-trip,” she said.
The next biggest bill was for groceries at $15,665, but Shayla said she is gluten and dairy free which costs a lot more, especially in remote spots.
They also cooked properly and saved leftovers for the next day.
Shayla Mancell and Oscar towed a tinny so they could fish. Shayla Mancell
Oscar’s spearfishing also helped keep the costs down, and they did have a few “close” shark encounters she said.
The couple, from the NSW Mid North coast, started by heading north from their homes to Hervey Bay in Queensland.
They then drove to Cairns and travelled across the Gulf before dropping to Mount Isa and into the Northern Territory.
They took in Kakadu, Darwin, Litchfield, Daly River, then down to the West MacDonnell Ranges and the Red Centre in the state, which they said was “unexpected.”
Twin Falls in Kakadu National Park Tourism NT
“You finally get a real sense of remoteness, and outside of peak season you get away from the crowds,” she said.
“Travelling Australia was busier than we expected.”
But by October, it was too hot there.
“Our last night there was spent trying to sleep in Katherine, 35 degrees at 11pm in a rooftop tent with a fan that died after three hours… not ideal or comfortable,” Shayla said.
They then headed to South Australia and Coober Pedy, the Flinders Ranges, and Adelaide before driving to Melbourne.
They explored Tasmania for seven weeks, before heading back to the Great Ocean Road and South Australian coast.
Shayla and Oscar spent a total of $90,342 travelling Australia for 13 months. Shayla Mancell
But it was their final state, Western Australia, they say was the “best,”
“We gave it five and a half months, which I’m glad we did,” she said.
Mishaps they had to contend with included replacing a chunk of their car, as well as issues with their boat.
“We had the outboard (motor) stop working while we were surrounded by thick fog, close enough to hear cargo ships we couldn’t see,” she said.
But overall, Shayla urged people thinking about doing the trip and just go.
“You’ll be surprised how many people out there are your age and in a similar position when it comes to funding it, so don’t stress about that,” she said.
“You can always stop and work on the road, small country communities are always looking for a hand, and the opportunities that open up are endless.”
The couple say it can be easy to find work on the road, and Shayla worked remotely. Shayla Mancell
The couple revealed their list of essentials for life travelling.
As well as a fridge, UHF radio, tools and air compressor one of the most used items starts at $39.
It was a set of produce bags from an Aussie firm called The Swag.
“We have a chest fridge and could be two weeks from a supermarket, and these bags kept our veggies crisp the whole time,” she said.
“We bought them in week one and they were easily one of our best purchases.”
It’s not just oldies heading off on the open road these days.
Data from Motorhome Republic revealed a third of all campervan bookings in 2026 were made by 18-34-year-olds, dubbed zillennials.
New Zealand was the most popular destination, followed by Hobart and Perth.
Despite the cost of living, Aussies still want to go on epic road trips, Apollo Motorhomes bosses said.
“Despite ongoing cost of living pressures, including fuel prices, the desire to get out and explore Australia remains high,” Stacey Davis, chief operating officer at Apollo Motorhomes told nine.com.au.
