Planning to visit the land Down Under? Breathtaking beaches, cosmopolitan cities, heritage sites and spectacular wildlife await, attracting millions of tourists every year. This extraordinary experience will be worth every penny – and luckily, it’s easy to ensure your trip doesn’t break the bank. Discover how to explore Australia on a budget without compromising on your experience.
Prepare well
Staying within a spending limit relies on excellent preparation. Begin by calculating how much you can put towards the trip and then organise the essential elements to work out your daily allowance while you’re there.
Booking your flights and accommodation as early as possible gives you the best chance of finding good-value options, although you can sometimes find last-minute deals close to departure. Remember to include your visa in your pre-arrival essentials too: applying for a subclass 651 e-visa online is a cost-effective and straightforward option.
Affordable activities
Research the things to do in each destination and identify affordable activities that will give you the best bang for your buck. Free walking tours are available in most cities, or you can design your own using information you find online. A day at the beach costs nothing too, and you can often hire water sports gear at competitive prices!
Limiting how much you spend on activities doesn’t mean missing out on amazing experiences. If anything, it gives you more to splurge on your must-do Australia adventures, whether you want to explore a national park or sail the spectacular coastline.
Use public transport
Making use of Australia’s fantastic public transport rather than hiring a car will significantly reduce the cost of your holiday. The cities have excellent options, from open-top tour buses that hop between the main highlights to the City Circle Tram in Melbourne which is free to use! Most options can accommodate prams and wheelchairs, so the public transport is accessible to all.
Longer journeys are most spectacular by train. Wind along the Indian Pacific track between Sydney and Perth, stopping at artsy Adelaide along the way, and switch to The Ghan up to Darwin which is ranked among the greatest rail routes in the world.
Hostels and homestays
One of the best things about choosing Australia for a budget-friendly trip is that it’s designed for backpackers. You’ll find a wealth of hostels in major cities like Sydney offering rooms and beds in shared dormitories at great rates. In the more remote regions, locals open up their homes to travellers, offering a comfortable stay in the spare bedroom and delicious traditional food.
Choosing hostels over hotels will elevate your experience too, especially if you’re holidaying alone. It’s an easy way to meet like-minded people and get top tips based on what’s happening during your visit.