Meet Grace and Matt from The BIG Aussie Review

Hey there! We're Grace and Matt, the lucky winners of The BIG Aussie Review, and we're about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime exploring Australia.

Before we hit the road, we thought we'd introduce ourselves and share a little bit about who we are, why we entered, and what we're most excited about as we take on the ultimate Aussie road trip.

We're both 26 years old and based in Brisbane. Matt works as a school sports coach, while Grace is a primary school teacher. We've always shared a love of the outdoors, adventure and staying active.

Sport and the outdoors have always been a huge part of our lives. Whether it's cricket, rugby, running, heading to the gym, hiking, or simply finding a new trail to explore, we're happiest when we're outside doing something active.

We also both grew up near the beach, which probably explains why so many of our favourite memories involve sand, surf and coastal adventures.

Why we entered The BIG Aussie Review

When we first saw the competition, we honestly thought it was one of those prizes that someone else wins. You know the kind. The prize package is so incredible that you think, 'Surely nobody actually wins that'.

But the more we looked into it, the more excited we became. The chance to spend a year travelling Australia was already a dream opportunity. What made it even better was that the competition involved a creative entry rather than simply submitting your name and hoping for the best.

We loved the challenge of putting together our entry and, fortunately for us, it paid off. Now we're getting ready to experience parts of Australia we've only ever dreamed about visiting.

The trip that sparked our love of road trips

While we've done plenty of camping and road trips over the years, one adventure stands out above the rest.

Last summer, we drove from Brisbane to Melbourne for Christmas with family before spending six weeks making our way back up Australia's east coast.

Along the way, we explored parts of Victoria and New South Wales, discovering incredible destinations and making memories we'll never forget.

Some of the highlights included Jervis Bay, Port Stephens and Wilsons Promontory National Park. In fact, Wilsons Prom was probably our favourite destination from the entire trip.

We visited shortly after New Year's Eve and were blown away by it. The beaches were incredible, the hiking trails seemed endless, and there was this perfect balance between adventure and tranquillity.

It also exceeded our expectations because we really didn't know much about it beforehand. Sometimes it's the places you least expect that leave the biggest impression.

Life on the road

As we get ready to tackle our own lap of Australia, people keep asking what we're most looking forward to.

The truth is, there isn't just one thing. Of course, we're excited to visit some of Australia's iconic destinations, including the Whitsundays, Esperance and Tasmania.

But we're equally excited about the places that don't always make the postcards. We've done a lot of travelling along the east coast, but we haven't spent much time exploring inland Australia.

We're looking forward to seeing red dirt, visiting remote communities and experiencing parts of the country that are well off the beaten track.

Australia is such a diverse place, and we're excited to see more of it than ever before. If we had to sum up what we're hoping to get from this experience in three words, they'd be: adventures, opportunities and memories.

Bucket-list experiences

Australia has no shortage of amazing experiences, and there are plenty of things we've already added to our wish list.

At the very top is snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. We're also hoping to swim with whale sharks in Western Australia, experience the Australian outback, see crocodiles in the north and spend time exploring Tasmania.

More than anything, though, we're excited to see Australia's incredible wildlife and landscapes up close. Every region offers something completely different, and that's what makes this journey so special.

We can't wait to stay at all the BIG4's

We've already stayed at several BIG4 Holiday Parks and partner parks throughout our travels, and one of the things we love most is that every stay feels familiar while still offering something unique.

Whether you're travelling with family, friends, as a couple or even solo, there's always something to enjoy. The facilities are fantastic, the locations are memorable, and there's a sense of reliability that makes travelling easier.

We're also looking forward to introducing some younger family members to the experience along the way. We've got cousins scattered around the country who we're hoping to catch up with during the trip. Though if there are bouncy pillows involved, Matt might need to take his turn after the kids!

As for friends and family, we already know we'll be seeing plenty of them throughout the journey. They're already planning visits at different stops around Australia.

It's shaping up to be a pretty busy year, and we couldn't be more excited for the journey ahead.