BIG4 names teachers for Aussie Review
BIG4's Aussie Review starts on the Gold Coast with two Brisbane teachers set for a year on the road.
What’s Happening?
The Gold Coast will be the starting point for a year-long Australian road trip backed by BIG4 Holiday Parks.
Grace Herdman and Matt Millward, both 26-year-old teachers from Brisbane, have been named winners of The BIG Aussie Review.
The couple were selected after BIG4 received hundreds of applications from across Australia.
From July 6, 2026, Grace and Matt will swap the classroom for a Ford Ranger and Crusader caravan.
They will spend 365 nights travelling across Australia and staying at BIG4 Holiday Parks nationwide.
Their trip will begin on the Gold Coast before moving along the east coast.
From there, they will travel through the Top End, across Western Australia and South Australia, then return east.
The couple will share video, social media and editorial content along the way.
Their updates will cover destinations, local eats, holiday parks, roadside stops and lesser-known places across Australia.
Why It Matters
The campaign comes as many Australians are still looking for holidays, despite cost-of-living pressure.
BIG4 says travel remains a priority for many households, even when people need to make trade-offs.
For the Gold Coast, the July 6 start gives the city a clear place in a national tourism campaign.
It also puts the region at the front of a story about local travel, caravan holidays and domestic tourism.
BIG4 Holiday Parks CEO Sean Jenner said Australians did not need to leave the country for a great break.
“Australians don’t need a passport to have an incredible holiday - the best trips are right here in our own backyard,” Mr Jenner said.
“But we know cost is a very real barrier right now. The BIG Aussie Review is our way of saying: ‘Here’s the caravan, here are the keys, here’s the budget - just go.’ Grace and Matt embody exactly the spirit we were looking for - people who find joy in the everyday and can’t wait to share it with the rest of Australia.”
By The Numbers
The prize package is valued at more than $250,000, giving Grace and Matt a full year of travel support.
BIG4 says 47% of Australians rank travel above other discretionary spending, despite pressure on household budgets.
BIG4 says 83% of Australians are willing to make trade-offs to afford a trip.
Australian travellers are forecast to spend $83 billion on local travel by 2030.
Local Impact
The Gold Coast will host the first step in Grace and Matt’s national trip.
That gives the city exposure through BIG4’s website, social channels and wider campaign content.
The launch also connects the Gold Coast with a broader push for Australians to travel locally.
As the couple leave from the Gold Coast, their first updates will help set the tone for the year ahead.
Their trip also places Queensland road travel in front of a national audience.
Zoom In
Grace and Matt already know life on the road.
The couple spend many weekends camping or exploring the Queensland coast.
They also completed an eight-week road trip from Brisbane to Melbourne and back during the 2025 and 2026 summer holidays.
With the school term on pause for a year, they will now take on a full lap of Australia.
“We turn anything into an adventure,” Grace said.
“Flat tyre? Scenic stop. Rain all weekend? Character building. Wrong turn? New plan. We love being outdoors and this is genuinely a dream come true. Wherever BIG4 wants us to go, we’ll be there - and we promise to find all the best gems along the way.”
Their prize package is valued at more than $250,000 and includes:
A Ford Ranger vehicle, valued at $75,590
A Crusader Lifechanger Bunkie caravan, valued at $76,287
365 nights’ accommodation across BIG4 Holiday Parks nationwide, worth about $36,500
Ampol Amplify Premium Fuel for the trip
A weekly food allowance
$10,000 worth of Dometic gear
An iPhone 17 Pro, phone plan and Starlink satellite internet plan
Content creation equipment valued at up to $8,000
Zoom Out
The BIG Aussie Review is BIG4 Holiday Parks’ nationwide search for Australia’s ultimate travel reviewer.
The campaign gives one couple or family 12 months on the road in Australia.
They stay at BIG4 Holiday Parks and share the places, people and everyday holiday moments they find.
BIG4 has operated for more than 47 years and has more than 300 parks across Australia.
Its parks cater to families, couples and travellers across coastal areas, outback towns, wine regions and rainforest locations.
The company says its focus is on helping Australians connect with Country, community and local travel.
BIG4 also highlights premium amenities, eco-conscious initiatives and easier holiday planning across its network.
What To Look For Next?
Grace and Matt will begin their trip from the Gold Coast on July 6, 2026.
Their year on the road will be shared through big4.com.au/the-big-aussie-review and BIG4’s social channels.
Aussies can also follow the trip through @thebigaussiereview.
As the trip unfolds, their updates will show how Australians can plan local holidays while finding new places across the country.