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

Discover how we saved over $1,300 during the busiest time of the year by house sitting instead of staying in caravan parks. In this episode, Annette shares the full story of spending Christmas on an organic farm near Margaret River, caring for 100 chickens and a loveable Labradoodle named Diesel. Learn how house sitting can be a game-changer for your Big Lap, especially during peak season when caravan parks are packed and expensive. Annette covers everything from how they got started with house sitting, what their daily responsibilities looked like, the unexpected benefits beyond just saving money, and even what went wrong on Christmas Day. Whether you're planning your first lap or you're already on the road, this episode reveals a budget hack that could extend your travel time and give you a break from van life without breaking the bank. In This Episode: How a chance opportunity in Kalamunda introduced them to house sitting What it's really like house sitting on an organic farm The exact amount saved by avoiding caravan parks over Christmas How to get started with house sitting platforms Success tips and red flags to watch for What to do when things go wrong (like losing power on Christmas Day) Whether house sitting is right for your Big Lap journey Mentioned in This Episode: House sitting platforms and membership costs Margaret River and the Perth Hills region Tips for building a strong house sitting profile How to use house sitting as a base for exploring regions Perfect for: Big Lap travellers, budget-conscious caravanners, anyone looking to extend their travel time, and those curious about alternatives to caravan parks during peak season. Connect with All Around Oz: Website: https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcast  Facebook Groups: Caravanning for Newbies | Planning a Lap of Australia Hints and Tips