Written by Shelley McIntyre
If you’d asked me a year ago whether we’d pack up our bags, rent a caravan, wrangle two kids, and bring along a brand-new puppy for a five-week adventure into the heart of Australia, I’d say:
“HELL YEAH – that sounds like us!”
The thing is, we’ve already travelled a whole lap of Oz in a Jayco Eagle Outback Camper with a two- and three-year-old, living in it for 17 months. After that, we feel like we can handle just about anything! Now, adding a puppy – our “third child” – to the mix is just part of the adventure!
Of course, travelling with a puppy brings a few more challenges. We’re so used to hitting the road without restrictions, so the prep this time has been huge. Lists are being ticked left, right, and centre to make sure we’re ready for five weeks away.
We’ve booked all our caravan parks in the Red Centre ahead of time. Thankfully, Discovery Parks (Kings Canyon & Alice Springs) are dog-friendly, so we know we’ll feel safe and welcomed. Normally, we’re more of an off-grid family, so we’ll still be enjoying some bush camps on the way up and back to keep costs down – most of which are pet-friendly.
Outback travel with a puppy means a bit of extra planning, but we’ve done our research. After a chat with Dr. Tania from @vet.in.a.van, we sorted flea, tick, and worming treatments and added a Seresto flea/tick collar for extra protection.
We’ve packed Steel’s outdoor bed from Navigator, food and water bowls, plenty of food (though there’s a pet store in Alice if needed), and his crate for night-time in the van and as his “safe space.” We’ve got two leads – one short, one longer for around the van – so he can still enjoy some freedom.
The biggest challenge? National parks. Luckily, we’ve arranged puppy minding while we explore. In Alice Springs, The Dog House will look after him while we head into the West and East MacDonnell Ranges. At Uluru and Kings Canyon, we’ve connected with locals who do puppy minding on the side (thanks to Facebook groups!).
It’s a little extra prep, but nothing we can’t handle to bring our beautiful boy along for the ride.
We’re super excited to experience this magical part of Australia while the kids are still little. Taking them out of school for these adventures means so much more than just travel – it’s hands-on learning every day.
They help set up the caravan, cook, clean, organise trips, and manage long drives. They see how we track fuel, budgets, and navigation. And, of course, they still read, use a couple of learning apps for maths and English, and explore museums along the way. It’s learning that goes far beyond the classroom.
Our boys have always known about the Big Red Rock from us and at school. Their school has included Aboriginal learning and Acknowledgement of Country since kindy, and they’ve loved sharing stories of the Aboriginal activities and paintings they experienced on our lap of Oz.
Now, they can’t wait to see Uluru in real life. They’re especially excited about the cultural side of the experience – riding bikes around the rock, a sunset camel ride, and visiting the Field of Light.
They also loved hiking when they were little, and we’re keen to see how they go now they’re older. We’ll be starting our walks early in the day to avoid the September Spring heat (and yes, there will still be plenty of bribery snacks packed along the way!)
Four years ago, on our lap of Oz, we sadly had to miss the Red Centre after a car incident cut our trip short. Uluru has always remained firmly on our bucket list. Now, four years later, with a seven- and nine-year-old (and a 10-month-old staffy pup), we’re finally ready to make the dream happen.
This time, we’re doing it properly. We’re ready for early mornings, wide skies, red dirt underfoot, and the magic of this place we’ve been waiting so long to see.
Buying a caravan has been on our minds for years. After eight years in our old Jayco camper – with no shower, no toilet, and very little space – we knew it was time to upgrade.
We’ve researched for years, visited caravan shows, and compared options. But rather than jumping straight in, we decided to try before we buy. This way, we’ll see how we like towing a big van before committing.
We’ve hired a van through @ezyhirecaravans in Tweed Heads and are ready to roll into the Queensland outback, chasing those sunset horizons and soaking up that deep red soil that screams: you’re in the true Australian Outback now.
So here we are – bags packed, kids buzzing, puppy prepped, and caravan ready. All you really need for an adventure like this is enthusiasm, curiosity, and the confidence to believe you’ll figure it all out along the way.
That’s the fun of it. That’s why we love it 🙌
Wish us luck and follow along: @4 Macs Makin’ Trax
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