#thebiglap

We like the free camps that surprise us. CSR North Pool near Wiluna did exactly that. Peace. Wild life. Water. With an outback, country feel. Fresh air. And the whole camp site to ourselves. We didn't get service. It doesn't really bother us to go off grid for a bit. With school and work, we set our own hours, so off grid is within our own timetable. However, the drive in, is further from the Wiluna township then I thought. Not as far as some places we've been, but far enough. Still, this is a free camp to enjoy for at least a couple of nights. The horses, the atmosphere... Just somewhere to camp up before heading to the next destination... Free. You can't really go wrong. #freecamping #freecamp #westernaustralia #bigfamilytraveling #thebiglap #bigfamilytravels #bigfamilytravelling #wiluna #travelingaustraliawithkids #travelingaustralia #caravaningaustralia #travelwriter https://www.instagram.com/p/CWf7IVhPyQd/?utm_medium=tumblr

I'm going to get super honest right now. Completely raw 🤗 Traveling has been such a fantastic experience for my family and for me personally, but I will not lie when I say life for me is hectic! FOUR kids, two teenage girls who I both homeschool, a full time job and a grade nine Californian student I teach creative writing to every Sunday. Sometimes, I feel like I'm running on fumes. I haven't shaved my legs in a month! A MONTH! I seriously have not had the time. I start my Graduate Certificate at Uni again on Monday, my last two Units for Forensic Psychology. I like being busy, especially when we get to explore on top of everything else, but some days, days like today, my brain is wiped and I still have a million and one things to do. I worked today. Tomorrow is my only day off and my Miss seven has assignments to catch up on, sheets to send in and diagnostic tests to sit and all I want to do is sleep in and binge watch Lucifer on Netflix and then go explore the Riverlands all afternoon before Monday comes and Uni starts as well as another work day. Oh, and did I mention Miss seven also broke her tooth right in half? Yep, so, big dentist appointment as well on Monday to pack and refill her tooth. Looks like I probably won't get around to shaving my legs next month either at this rate, right??? 🤣✌ #mumlife #bigfamilytraveling #bigfamilytravels #travelaustraliawithkids #thebiglap #mumsofinstagram #workingfromhome #workingmum #worklifebalance #caravanning #travelaustralia #caravanningwithkids #creativewriting #blog #travelwriters https://www.instagram.com/p/CLgrHTun_Dw/?igshid=gcagsug9dd2c

Every time we stop, it takes about a week before I start to get antsy. Not this time. I love it here. The peace, the quiet, the ripples in the water... One of my earliest memories of my Nana was my family camping right near a river like we are now. She died when I was little but the memories of camping, fishing, and the bush were forever imprinted in my heart. Only a few kilometres from town, we are in the perfect location. Close to shops when we need it as well as a dump point and water refill. The kids have been in their element - especially the two youngest ones who were born water babies. I suspect over the next few days, though, we will all be living in the water as Mother Nature is set to give us a weekend in the mid-forties 🥵 I can't think of anywhere better than the #murrayriver to spend our days right now! #slipslopslap #travel #travellingaustraliawithkids #thebiglap #traveling #bigfamilytravelling #thisisourlife #bigfamilytravels #aroundaustralia #australian #travelaustralia #caravanning #bushcamp https://www.instagram.com/p/CKThE60H0aG/?igshid=1mxn3gggs6jwv

Every time we stop, it takes about a week before I start to get antsy. Not this time. I love it here. The peace, the quiet, the ripples in the water... One of my earliest memories of my Nana was my family camping right near a river like we are now. She died when I was little but the memories of camping, fishing, and the bush were forever imprinted in my heart. Only a few kilometres from town, we are in the perfect location. Close to shops when we need it as well as a dump point and water refill. The kids have been in their element - especially the two youngest ones who were born water babies. I suspect over the next few days, though, we will all be living in the water as Mother Nature is set to give us a weekend in the mid-forties 🥵 I can't think of anywhere better than the #murrayriver to spend our days right now! #slipslopslap #travel #travellingaustraliawithkids #thebiglap #traveling #bigfamilytravelling #thisisourlife #bigfamilytravels #aroundaustralia #australian #travelaustralia #caravanning #bushcamp https://www.instagram.com/p/CKThE60H0aG/?igshid=1mxn3gggs6jwv

We’d been told that there wasn’t much to see in this magnificient place and maybe for those that have already seen so much, it might be true, but we were pleasantly surprised. It’s called the Blue Lake and it was something I have never experienced in my entire life. For starters, the lake exists inside a volcanic crater which on top of being super cool is also a huge teaching moment for the kids. At this point into our journey, I knew there would be more exciting things to come but this exceeded even my expectations. Breath-taking doesn’t even begin to accurately describe what I felt when peering into the natural beauty that is our country. And even as I attach the pictures to this post, you have to see it for yourself to truly appreciate the stunning scenery. Pictures do not do it justice. After the Blue Lake, we decided to take the kids to this park where the ducks surrounded you in droves and the sounds of children laughing and playing echoed in the air. The park itself was huge and busy. South Australia certainly spares no expense when it comes to the recreational requirements of their youngest generations which I think is great to see and experience. Next, while dropping off our laundry at the laundromat, we took a walk down the main street and stumpled upon an art gallery and small showing area of some well known history around Mount Gambier. It was again great to take the kids there and read them the plaques and show them some amazing and unique art from different artists from around the area. What really took us by surprise, however, was on the outside. We walked down to what they call the ‘Cave Gardens’ – a sinkhole 90 feet into the ground which was also the towns water supply in the late 1800s. In wet weather, a spectacular waterfall begins to flow and I hope to go back one day to see it. If Mount Gambier isn’t on your list, we recommend you give it ago. We went there with zero expectations and left there with some beautiful memories. #mountgambier #bigfamilytraveling #bigfamilytravels #travelaustraliawithkids #thebiglap #spectacular #winning #southaustralia #ourlife #beauty #beautiful #photography #sammiewilson #thebluelake https://www.instagram.com/p/CKGzD9KHjQF/?igshid=1dll4my6zn65h

Coober Pedy is such a quirky place from underground houses to land with absolutely nothing for miles #seesouthaustralia #explore #exploresouthaustralia #tourismsouthaustralia #thebiglap #biglap #biglapofoz #greynomad #greynomads #tripinavan #exploreoz #cooberpedy #seeaustralia#australiagram #exploreaustralia #backpackingaustralia #australiatravels #travelaus #aussie #opals #australiagram #travelingaustralia #travelingaustraliawithkids (at Coober Pedy, South Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHmS9o5HkUj/?igshid=z34tw1m3arlc

Well we are in the dead centre of Australia and it turned on a wild dust storm and 🔥🔥🔥 47 degrees. Fridges struggled and we struggled but wouldn't have missed it for quids 🤣🤣🤣 #outbacknt #outbackaustralia #seenorthernterritory #seent #thebiglap #biglapofoz #biglap #exploreoz #cuinthent #seeaustralia #australia #travel #travelaustraliawithkids #traveloz #travelaustralia #seeaustralia #dust #duststorm #seeaustralia #igaustralia #caravaninglife (at Kulgera Roadhouse) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHbHyxFHuiy/?igshid=13ujprzr6pn2e

Most amazing free camp at Bollon QLD. This is a must stop. On the banks of the Creek. #freecamping #freecamps #thebiglap e#queensland #queenslandtourism #travelingaustralia #biglap #travellingaustralia #wanderaustralia #biglapbible #seeaustralia #visitqueensland #seequeensland #tropicalqueensland #queenslandaustralia #thisisqueensland #exploreaustralia #queenslandaustralia🇦🇺 #roadtripaustralia #caravaninglife #exploreoz #explorequeensland #travelaus #travelphotography #australianroadtrip #lappingoz #lappingaustralia #australia #travels #seeqld (at Bollon, Queensland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdv4SjHrx5/?igshid=1pmm0ws6p5hd5