Damian Witham, a long-time resident of Lakes Entrance, has started a Kickstarter campaign for 'Aussie Lap', a new board game inspired by Australian road trips. After 25 years of self-employment and a previous successful project, Witham aims to raise $15,000 to bring the game to production. The initiative draws on his passion for game design, sparked by an empty nest at home.
Damian Witham, alongside his wife Melanie, has been a fixture in the Lakes Entrance community for years, with their three children having graduated from local schools. Following their departure, Witham returned to his interest in game design, launching the Kickstarter for 'Aussie Lap' on March 12, 2026.
The game is designed for two to six players and blends elements of Monopoly and The Game of Life with a focus on 4WD adventures and caravanning across Australia. Players use custom 'Bankies' featuring iconic Australian celebrities and draw from a deck of over 500 cards that present road trip challenges and rewards. Examples include: "Forgot to let your tyre pressure down on the Gibb River Road. Pay the player to your left $150 for a recovery." Another card states: "Found a $50 note in the lint trap at the caravan park laundry. Collect $50 from the Bank."
Witham described the game as capturing familiar scenarios: "Aussie Lap isn’t just a race; it’s about the scenarios we all know — getting bogged on a beach, paying $9 for a meat pie at a remote roadhouse, or finally finding a secret swimming hole with no crocs." He added, "It’s competitive, it’s relatable, and most importantly, it’s Aussie. One minute you’re the king of the road, and the next, you’re staying still for a turn because you’re stuck behind a convoy of Grey Nomads doing 60km/h."
This is not Witham's first project. In 2020, he created the Victorian High Country Scratch Map, a viral hit among 4WD enthusiasts that exceeded its funding goal by 142 percent. "The support from the High Country community was incredible," he said. "Now, I’m looking to take that same energy nationwide, but it all starts here at home in Lakes Entrance."
The campaign seeks a minimum of $15,000 to advance from prototype to production, with backers receiving discounted early bird copies. Witham emphasized local support: "Lakes Entrance has always been a town that supports its own. Whether you’ve done the Big Lap yourself or just love a rowdy family game night, I’d love to have my neighbours on board for this journey." Contributions can be made via the Kickstarter page or by following @go.roadtrip on Instagram.
