Looking for the best guide to low budget travel in Australia, then you could be just a short distance from visiting the nation of your dreams.
A vast number of people want to explore the beautiful nation of Australia but find it a little bit difficult due to the cost of things over there.
Even some locals find the cost of living a hard pill to swallow. Ultimately, how expensive Australia feels will depend on the exchange rate of the Australian dollar with your home currency.
Some of the questions that lots of travelers usually ask about Australia are, “Is Australia a budget-friendly country?” Well, considering how fascinating Australia is, some people consider it not to be a budget-friendly destination. Well, I’m here to tell you that, with proper budgeting, you can explore Australia.
Whatever your destination—Sydney, Perth, or some remote outback town in between—the cost of meals, entertainment, and, most importantly, lodging may mount up rapidly. However, low travel expenses can be achieved on an Australian vacation with proper planning. Here is some of our best money-saving advice and a daily expense guide.
Best guide to Low Budget Travel in Australia
Flight Travel
Transport to Australia is often the most confusing and expensive part of any budget travel guide in Australia, considering how far away Australia is. If you are in the UK, getting to Australia will cost you approximately £650 to £700. Aside from that, traveling to Australia is not that cheap, but as a budget traveler, you have to come up with a plan, There are various flight comparison sites you can use to find the cheapest options I recommend Skyscanner.
Given that many flights from the UK to Australia include a layover, you may also look into some of the most popular locations for layovers, such as Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, or Bangkok, to see whether taking two separate flights would be less expensive than taking a direct flight.
It’s also important to think about the best month to go because certain months always have an impact on airfare.
Well, October is usually the least expensive month to fly; however, February through June might also be excellent choices. Sometimes, departures throughout the week are less expensive than weekend trips. However, December is usually expensive. But in whatever case, in order to save some absorbent expense, always be sure to book your flight in advance.
Accommodation
Australia offers a wide variety of lodging options!
There are several excellent hotels, guesthouses, eco-lodges, and Airbnbs across the nation. Online searching will help you locate the best solutions.
However, the most affordable lodging options for budget travelers in Australia are work exchanges, hostels, and camping.
Work Exchanges in Australia
I recommend Worldpackers for finding the best work exchanges abroad.
If you’re seeking the greatest guide to low-cost travel in Australia, I recommend work exchanges. This is where you can receive free housing in exchange for working about 20 hours each week.
You save a ton of money with this, which is quite beneficial in a costly nation like Australia. You also get to encounter fascinating cultural events. You’ll meet other interesting travelers if you live and work among locals, which is a terrific way to learn about the way of life there.
Hostels in Australia
A budget traveler’s greatest ally is hostels! A shared dorm can be occupied at a significantly lower cost than a hotel room. The average cost of a bed in a hostel dorm room is AUD 30 per night.
Even though this is far more costly than in other nations, it is still far less expensive than a hotel. The best website for locating hostels overseas is Hostelworld.
Camping in Australia
Australia is a nation that loves the outdoors, therefore there are fantastic campgrounds everywhere you go. Camping is only an inexpensive kind of lodging if you are also hiring a car because it requires a lot of equipment.
Buying a ton of camping gear would be costly and inconvenient if you’re merely traveling and taking flights and public transportation. However, make use of Australia’s breathtaking campgrounds if you’re traveling the nation by car or campervan. Simply drive up and spend the night in a stunning natural setting.
Campsites can be found for free in certain places. Campsites in popular locations might run you anywhere from $10 to AUD 50 per night. It’s still affordable to travel with a companion because you can split the expenses.
You can use Findacamp.com.au to find all the campgrounds you need in Australia.
Transportation in Australia
Australia is a very convenient place to travel, with a wide variety of transportation options to fit any budget or desire.
Selecting where to go is the hardest part of figuring out how to tour Australia on a budget. It is just not feasible to visit everything in this large country in a single trip.
Renting a Car
Traveling by car is a fantastic way to experience Australia’s true nature, from its scenic landscapes to its diverse animals and quaint small villages. But to be honest with you, car renting is kind of expensive for a budget traveler.
In Australia, the cost of renting a car ranges from $50 to AUD 80 a day. Include the cost of fuel and insurance in addition. I don’t advise renting a car as a budget traveler, but if you think it is necessary, then you can rent it.
Buses in Australia
In Australia, using a bus is one of the most affordable ways to cover large distances.
In the event that you choose not to rent a car, rates for many east coast cities are reasonable. The few bus trips that do exist on the West Coast are rather pricey due to their greater remoteness. For example, with Greyhound, you can travel from Sydney to Melbourne for around AUD 150. Other popular operators are Premier Motor Service, Integrity Coach Lines, and Firefly Express.
Trains in Australia
When traveling to and from big cities and other neighboring places, local trains are frequently the best option. Therefore, regional trains are excellent choices if you want to take day trips while you’re in a city.
Sydney’s rail system, for instance, extends to Newcastle on the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains in the west, and Wollongong and Kiama on the South Coast.
Also, Read TRAVEL TIP TUESDAY: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STRESS-FREE TRAVEL PLANNING
Food and Drinks In Australia
After arriving in Australia, arranging for lodging, and getting around, the next item to think about is what to eat. Eating everything hungry you in Australia will drill your pocket.
You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great Aussie barbecue, as well as delicious seafood to savor on the coast and plenty of international cuisine offered in the cities. Australia is also famous for its nightlife, with cities boasting a multitude of bars and clubs. For wine lovers, there are many vineyards in the southern half of the country to explore.
The best way to save money when traveling in Australia is to eat less out of restaurants and instead shop at supermarkets and cook inexpensive meals in your hostel or campsite.
Obtaining a rewards card for the food stores you frequent is a wise decision if you want to remain in Australia for an extended period. Signing up is free, and you frequently receive discounts.
Also, look for inexpensive, in-season produce at your neighborhood farmers markets. You’ll help regional farmers and save money on better-quality food. Also, in Australia, alcohol is costly! This is an additional method of rapidly depleting your trip budget to Australia.
Although expensive, going out to pubs or restaurants for a drink is a lot of fun.
However, if you do enjoy drinking, do so at home. If not, search for promotions or happy hours in your area. Particularly in urban areas, a lot of eateries and pubs offer happy hours or cocktail specials with inexpensive beverages.
Average food costs when dining out
- Coffee: $4.50
- Smoothie: $8
- Breakfast meal: $15-$20
- A quick takeaway sandwich or bacon/egg roll: $10-$15
- A nice, seated lunch main course: $20-$30
- Main course at dinner, such as steak or fish: $30 or more
Average alcohol costs in Australia:
- A beer in a bar or restaurant: $9
- A glass of wine in a bar or restaurant: $11
- Bottle of wine in a restaurant: $40-$60
- Cocktail in a bar or restaurant: $15-$20
- Case of 24 beers in a bottle shop: $50
- A decent bottle of wine in a bottle shop: $25
- Cheap boxed wine in a bottle shop: $15
- A Litre bottle of hard liquor in a bottle shop: $60
NOTE: Due to significant worldwide inflation, all of the prices listed in this post are subject to change. It is therefore advisable to stay informed about prices in order to prevent becoming stuck or disappointed.