Another month has gone by, and this one has finally seen a bit of improvement to the bottom line. After a few expensive months, the overall figure has started to come back down to a more reasonable level.
That said, the rising cost of living is definitely starting to bite now. Food prices continue to creep up, and fuel costs are once again becoming a noticeable part of the budget.
Travel plans have also taken a few hits this month. Exmouth is now off the list thanks to Cyclone Narrelle, and we have also just received news that the caravan park at the Bungle Bungles will be closing for the season due to insufficient bookings.
That is one thing about long-term travel around Australia, plans can change very quickly because of weather, road conditions, or simply the economics of running remote tourist areas.
Breakdown of the unusual expenses
- Fuel: the increased fuel prices are really starting to bite now. I have increased our monthly fuel budget to $1,200, which is roughly a 30% increase from where we were previously. Even that may not end up being enough, especially once we start heading into more remote areas where prices can climb very quickly.
- Groceries: The further north you go, the more expensive groceries seem to get. Add rising transport and fuel costs on top of that, and it is pretty clear those increases are now flowing through into supermarket prices as well.
- Dog Expenses: Shadow had a trip to the vet this month for a general check-up and to get some preventative medication sorted before heading further north. That included a Paralysis Tick control collar, which is something we definitely do not want to skip once we get into tick country.
- Car repairs/maint: We also picked up some spare filters for the Gibb River Road trip. Dust out there can be brutal on vehicles, so there is a good chance they will need replacing by the time we come out the other side.
Expenses – summary
Expenses – Sumary
| Month | Total | Acommodation (avg/ay) | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | $8,211 | $87.5 | $264 |
| January | $4,090 | $20.8 | $131 |
| February | $10,309.54 | $16 | $368 |
| March | $11,303 | $61 | $364 |
| April | $6,123 | $37.2 | $204 |
| May | |||
| June | |||
| July | |||
| August | |||
| September | |||
| October | |||
| November | |||
| Monthly avg | $7,007 | $44.5 | $266 |
Summary
One thing we have definitely started doing is cutting back on takeaways and eating out. It is one of the easiest areas to rein in spending when costs everywhere else are creeping higher.
We are also thinking a bit more carefully about which attractions we visit. These days it has to feel worthwhile before we hand over the money.
That is simply part of life on the road. Going home is not really an option for us anyway, as our house is leased out for another year, so we just adjust and keep moving forward.
Even with the rising costs, we still would not trade this lifestyle. It just means being a little more selective and keeping a closer eye on the budget than we used to.
If you’re interested in what it costs us to travel full time, you can see all of our monthly expense reports here.
Thanks for reading April 2026 – Expenses. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.
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