What a lap of Australia costs
Camping and fuel for two came to about $6,500 to $17,300 over six months.
We worked it out from published park fees and the national diesel price.
Food, rego, insurance, servicing and tyres are extra.
Published . 7 min read • Lifestyle
- Camping and fuel only, two adults, six months: about $6,500 to $17,300 in our worked example.
- Food, rego, insurance, servicing and tyres are extra.
- In our example, where you stay each night makes the biggest difference.
- Free camps cost $0 to stay. Local rules decide where you can stay and for how long.
- Fuel for Highway 1 alone came to about $5,700 to $7,300 in our worked example.
- Your costs will differ with your route, season, party size and car.
This worked example uses published fees and made-up trip figures. Your costs will differ with your route, season, party size and car.
Camping and fuel for two adults
The low case stays at free camps most nights. The high case stays in council caravan parks every night. Both use the same fuel figures. Each case gives a range. The lower figure uses the cheaper fees and 14 litres per 100km. The higher figure uses the dearer fees and 18 litres per 100km.
| Camping and fuel only | Low case | High case |
|---|---|---|
| Camping, per week | $31 to $80 | $245 to $386 |
| Fuel, Highway 1 once around | Same for both: $5,700 to $7,300 | |
| Six months, camping and fuel | $6,500 to $9,400 | $12,000 to $17,300 |
| 12 months, camping and fuel | $7,300 to $11,400 | $18,400 to $27,400 |
Food, rego, insurance, servicing and tyres are extra.
What the example assumes
- •Two adults, no children.
- •The low case has 5 free camp nights and 2 national park nights a week, at the Queensland and Western Australia fees below (made-up night counts).
- •The high case has 7 nights a week on a powered site in a council caravan park, at the fees below (a made-up night count).
- •Fuel is for one trip around Highway 1, about 14,500km, at 14 to 18 litres per 100km while towing (made-up litre figures, so use your own car's).
- •Diesel at 279.3 cents a litre, the national average for the week to 25 October 2026.
- •Totals are rounded to the nearest $100.
In our example, where you stay each night changes the cost most
Free camps
Free camps cost $0 to stay. Local rules decide where you can stay and for how many nights. Some free camps are for self-contained vans only, so read the signs and the council's rules. Our guide to powering a caravan at a free camp covers the power side.
National park camping
- •Queensland: $7.75 per person per night, or $31 per family. Some campgrounds have a minimum booking cost. Queensland Parks fees, checked October 2026.
- •Western Australia: $10 per adult per night with no facilities, $15 with basic facilities and $20 with showers. Park entry is extra. Explore Parks WA fees, checked October 2026.
- •New South Wales: fees and park entry are set campground by campground, so check each one on the NSW National Parks site.
Council caravan parks
These council-run parks publish their fees. Each figure is for a powered site, checked October 2026. Other parks charge more or less.
- •Carnamah Caravan Park (Shire of Carnamah, WA): $35 a night, powered site and water for 2 people, 2026/27. Fees page.
- •Queen Street Uralla Caravan Park (Uralla Shire Council, NSW): $41.50 a night, powered site for 1 or 2 people, 2026/27. Fees page.
- •Bells Caravan Park (City of Moreton Bay, QLD): $42.25 to $55.15 a night, powered site, low season to peak season. Fees page.
Fuel for Highway 1 alone came to about $5,700 to $7,300 in our worked example
Highway 1 runs about 14,500km around Australia. Side trips inland, to Uluru or up to Cape York, add to that.
The example uses a made-up towing figure of 14 to 18 litres per 100km, or about 2,030 litres to 2,610 litres for the lap.
Diesel averaged 279.3 cents a litre nationally in the week to 25 October 2026, from the Australian Institute of Petroleum's weekly report.
Work out your fuel costOur towing fuel calculator opens with the low-case figures. Change them to your car's.
Food, rego, insurance, servicing and tyres are extra
- •Food and living. Start from what you spend on groceries at home.
- •Rego. Each state sets its own fee. Caravan rego costs by state.
- •Insurance, servicing and tyres. Long distances mean you need services and new tyres sooner. Caravan running costs covers each one.
- •Living on the road. Full-time caravan living covers the costs of longer stays on the road.
Ways to spend less on the road
- •Mix free camps and national park camps with caravan park nights.
- •Stay longer in one place. Some parks offer a weekly rate.
- •Travel off peak, when some parks charge less.
- •Carry water so you can stay where there is none on tap.
- •Fill up with fuel and food in bigger towns.
Fill in your own figures
Print this page and write your own figures beside ours.
| Cost | Our example | Your figure |
|---|---|---|
| Camping, per week | $31 to $386 | |
| Fuel, whole lap | $5,700 to $7,300 | |
| Food and living, per week | Your home spend | |
| Rego, per year | By state | |
| Insurance, per year | Your quote | |
| Servicing and tyres | Your quote |
Common questions
How much does it cost to travel around Australia by caravan?
For two adults over six months, camping and fuel came to about $6,500 to $17,300 in our worked example from published fees, checked October 2026. Food, rego, insurance, servicing and tyres are extra. Your costs will differ with your route, season, party size and car.
How much is camping per week on a lap?
In our worked example for two adults, a week of mostly free camps with two national park nights came to $31 to $80. A week in council caravan parks came to $245 to $386. Free camps cost $0 to stay, and local rules decide where and how long you can stay.
How much fuel does a lap of Australia take?
Highway 1 alone is about 14,500km. At a made-up towing figure of 14 to 18 litres per 100km, that is about 2,030 litres to 2,610 litres. At the national average diesel price for the week to 25 October 2026, that came to about $5,700 to $7,300 in our worked example. Side trips add more.
What is the cheapest way to do a lap?
In our example, where you stay each night makes the biggest difference. Mixing free camps and national park camps with some caravan park nights costs less than staying in caravan parks every night. Staying longer in one place also means fewer kilometres.