The budget calculator that gives families the real budget number to make their road trip happen 
WAS $27 Now $17au
Instant access: a Google Sheets file that works on any device.
One-time payment for lifetime access + updates
This is the calculator that changed our minds about whether it was possible.
It answers one question: How much does a road trip actually cost—for your family, in your situation, on your timeline?
Input YOUR numbers.
See YOUR departure date.
That's it.
What's included:
At a glance dashboard
See the whole thing on one screen — where every dollar's going, and how close you are to leaving
Track your savings
Watch the bar fill up — what you've saved, what's left, and whether you're on track for your date
Daily schedule option
Plan the first week if you want to — or don't. It's there when you need it
Planning list
Everything you can't forget, in one spot — and half of it can go to your partner
Plus much more. Video walk through below 
If you're dreaming of a road trip with your family but don't know how much it will cost, expect:
Your kids asking "when can we go on that road trip?" — and you having no answer
Endless Googling: "How much does a road trip cost?" Getting answers ranging from $50/day to $300/day. None of them feel like YOUR trip.
Trying to budget on paper, in Notes, or in random spreadsheets — and giving up because it's too messy
Enter your bullet points here..
Years of "we should do this someday" instead of a real departure date
Your partner asking "are we actually doing this?" — and you not having an answer
The fear that you'll run out of money mid-trip and have to cut it short
Enter your bullet points here..
Make it look like this:
Know your weekly number, worked out for your family
Know exactly what to save between now and departure
A list you can hand half of to your partner
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Get your departure plan in place with ease!
Zero last minute panics with forgotten things
Know what you're spending on your trip so you can adjust if needed.
Enter your bullet points here..
You need your numbers, your dates, and a plan that actually makes sense.
The hardest part of planning a Big Lap isn't the packing or the route.
It's sitting down and working out if you can actually do it.
Most people stay stuck in 'one day' mode for years because they can't answer that one question: 'Can we actually afford this?' This planner answers it in under an hour
When you know what you'll spend per week on your trip, you can actually start budgeting for a figure. It becomes tangible.
But not only that, when you have your departure date sorted, you can work out what you need to save per week to make it achievable.
What's Included?
Everything you get in the Travel Australia Budget Planner:
Know the all-important weekly spend number — before you leave
This planner works out the full cost of your trip — fuel, accommodation, food, experiences, and the easy to overlook ones. Enter simple prompted data. Let the planner work it out for you.
Enter your bullet points here..
Know how much you'll need to save per week until your departure
The Sinking Funds Savings Tracker automatically works out how much you'll need to put away each week. Watch your savings bar fill up. Tick it off as you go. Weirdly satisfying.
Enter your bullet points here..
Stay on track while you're travelling
The Real-Time Expense Tracker will let you instantly see if you're on track or starting to creep over budget, allowing you to make adjustments before it's too late.
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Estimate costs in seconds, not hours
Five pre-built Quick-Reference Calculators specifically designed for Australian travel. Head across the Nullabor and know exactly how much fuel you'll burn and how much it will cost - so you can budget accordingly. Work out caravan park costs, food costs and much more.
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Know where you're going and when
The Daily Trip Itinerary Planner lets you map out your first weeks on the road — or your entire route — with customisable daily time slots. No more "so where are we going tomorrow?" at 9pm.
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Keep track of every pre-departure task
The Pre-Departure Task Tracker covers caravan servicing, insurance renewals, mail holds, and every other thing you absolutely cannot forget before you leave. Check them off. Watch your departure day get closer- or delegate to your partner so you're not doing it all.
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Step-by-step instructions included
Even if you've never used a spreadsheet in your life — the Comprehensive Instructions PDF walks you through every feature clearly. No tech experience needed.
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Today: $17. Instant download. Yours forever.
No spreadsheet experience is needed
BONUS:
Included with the budget planner are tools that will help you achieve your budgeting goals even faster:
Find your big lap budget quick guide
A quick reference guide that will help you find your approx. budget in only a few moments. Use it to start the conversation today.
Price: INCLUDED
Create a printable sheet to stick to your fridge
If you're like me, you might want to see something tangible. Fill in your savings goal, print it (or screenshot it to your phone) and pop it on your fridge.
Price: INCLUDED
Consectetur
Repudiandae
The Budget Planner is a good fit if…
You're dreaming of the Big Lap (or any Australian road trip) and the money side feels overwhelming or unclear
You've tried to budget on paper or in a notes app and it's not really working
You want to know exactly how much to save each week between now and departure
Grab the Budget Planner Today
One time purchase. Instant Google Sheets download (+ Instructions!)
ONLY $17
Designed by an Aussie for Aussies
Enter your bullet points here..
No spreadsheet experience needed
Enter your bullet points here..
Instant download
Enter your bullet points here..
This is NOT for you if:
You've already got a spreadsheet that works and you're happy with it
You're looking for travel inspiration or pretty photos (this is pure logistics)
You want someone else to do the planning for you (you need to be willing to do the work)
Sneak peek:
In case we haven't met yet...
Hi :)
I'm Margie. I'm not a financial advisor or a budgeting expert.
I'm just a traveler, a Nat Geo writer, someone who loves the outside and exploring.
But I got tired of not knowing our actual numbers - we wanted to leave, but it was all a guess if we could actually afford it.
And, as much as I wanted to 'wing it', I don't think I could have talked my family into it... So, I built the early version of this spreadsheet - and within minutes, we could see we could afford it.
Fast forward 4 years, many 6-month+ trips, and this spreadsheet tool has been fine-tuned with real-life experience to be exactly what you need to plan a road trip.
Happy Planning & Happy Adventuring :)
Stop dreaming.
Start planning.
Know your number.
Start planning.
Know your number.
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Special Offer
[HIGHLY RECOMMENDED] Add the Australia Route Planner to your order for the answers to all the tough questions you don't think about until you need to think about them! + much more!
$17au
$17au
Planning a lap from scratch can raise so many questions!
Where do you start? How long in each spot? When's the wet season, actually?
This is our route research, written down.
Includes:
- WA suggested route
- South East Aust route
- East Coast route
- Seasonal timing
- Before you go checklists
- Questions to ask each other before you leave to ensure everyone is on the same page!
Instant download editable doc so you can customise if needed. [$17]
Add to cartA$17.00
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All prices in AUD
Have any questions?
We're here to help...
Email us at hello@margieandtim.com.au with any of your questions.
- Do I need to know how to use spreadsheets?Not at all. The instructions PDF walks you through every step from setup. If you can type numbers into a box, you can use this planner.
- What format does it come in?It's a Google Sheets file — so it works on any device, anywhere. You'll get instant access after purchase and a separate PDF instructions guide.
- Is this just for the Big Lap, or can I use it for shorter trips?It works for any trip — a two-week road trip through WA, a few months in Queensland, the full lap, whatever you're planning. Just enter your dates and it does the rest.
- Do I have to be towing a caravan for this to work?No, this works for anyone travelling by road - car & tent, car & roof top tent, camper, motorhome, hired camper, RV, bicycle... :) you get the idea :)
- Are refunds available?Sorry, no refunds are available due to the instant download of this product. Please check with us at hello@margieandtim.com.au if you have any questions.