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Top 25 Ways to Save on Australia Travel

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Traveling to Australia is a pricey proposition—the airfare alone could bust your budget, and the sheer length of the flight encourages most visitors to stretch their visit for well over a week (it’ll take you that long just to get over the jet lag ). So is it really possible to travel Australia for cheap?

It may not be as difficult as you think. Below are 25 ways to help you save money on every aspect of your trip to Australia, including info on cheap eats, discount cards, fun freebies, and more.

How to Get to Australia for Cheap

1. Do your homework. One of the biggest expenses of any Australia trip is the airfare to get there. As you hunt for bargains, be sure to check a variety of flight search sites for comparison shopping purposes, and consider signing up for fare alerts from Airfarewatchdog , SmarterTravel’s sister site, to get notified when prices drop.

2. Time your visit. Airfare is typically most expensive between December and February, which is summer in Australia and the most popular time to visit places like Sydney and Melbourne. You’ll likely find lower fares during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) or during the winter off-season.

3. Consider a flight package. Qantas offers Explorer fares that include round-trip airfare to Australia as well as several domestic flights within the country. Prices are based on season and how far you plan to fly within Australia.

10 Ways to Survive a Long-Haul Flight

Australia Trip Planning

4. Keep your focus. Australia is enormous—nearly the size of the continental U.S. You wouldn’t try to see the entire U.S. in two weeks, so don’t attempt to do it in Australia either. If you have limited time for your trip, fix your sights on one or two regions and explore them thoroughly—you’ll have a more relaxing experience, and save both time and money on transportation.

5. Consider a cruise. If you’re looking to see a variety of destinations without having to unpack more than once, a cruise is a cost-efficient and convenient option. There are Australia cruises that cost less than $100 per person, per night; these rates include accommodations, meals, entertainment, and transportation from each port to the next. Royal Caribbean , Princess , and Holland America are just a few of the lines you could consider. See the best sites to book a cruise for comparison shopping.

6. Look for freebies. Australia has a wealth of museums and attractions that don’t charge admission fees—like the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens .

7. Buy a discount card. You can purchase an iVenture Card for popular tourist destinations like Sydney , Melbourne , and Tasmania . The cards include free entry to many area attractions, as well as special offers and discounts, for a single price. These cards may save you money if you’re doing a lot of sightseeing in a short period of time.

What to Pack for Australia: 35 Essentials

Money Management in Australia

8. Lock in your rate. International exchange rates are constantly fluctuating, and they’re not always in your favor. The best way to control costs and stick to your budget is to prepay for your hotels, airfare, and tour packages in advance—preferably in your own currency—so that last-minute fluctuations don’t send your budget ballooning.

9. Skip the exchange counter. You’ll get the best exchange rates by using your credit card or withdrawing money from an ATM; that’s because you’ll be exchanging money at interbank rates, which tend to be better than the rates exchange bureaus charge. ATMs can be found just about everywhere in Australia except the most remote towns and villages, and credit cards are accepted at many stores and restaurants. But beware of fees—many banks will charge you to withdraw money at a foreign ATM or make a purchase in a foreign currency. One exception is Capital One, which doesn’t charge its American cardholders a fee for foreign purchases. For more information, see The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas .

10. Negotiate a better deal. Haggling is always in style at Australia’s open-air markets—you can negotiate great deals at places like Paddington Markets , the Rocks Markets , and the Bondi Markets , all in Sydney.

11. Get a refund. If you purchase $300 AUD or more in goods from a single retailer, you are eligible for a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) that you paid on those items. You must get an original tax invoice from the store where you made the purchase and present it when you depart Australia. For more information, click here .

Tipping in Australia: The Australia Tipping Guide

How to Save on Australia Transportation

12. Check the discount airlines. Thanks to Australia’s sheer size, the quickest way to get around the country is by air. Australia has a number of discount airlines that provide affordably priced domestic flights, including Jetstar , Regional Express (REX) , and Tigerair . (Be sure to check which baggage fees and other charges might apply on these airlines, as they could cancel out any fare savings.)

13. Take the bus. If you’ve got time to spare or if you’re focusing your travels on a relatively small region, hopping on a bus to your next city may be your cheapest option. Greyhound Australia offers a variety of specials, including discounts for seniors, kids, and students. For extended travel, consider a bus pass .

14. Get a free campervan rental. Traveling by campervan is one of the most popular ways to see the country, but one-way rentals can be expensive if you’re traveling from one part of Australia to another. Use Transfercar to find vehicles that need to be relocated, and you can often drive one for free.

15. Use public transit for free. A number of Australian cities have made select public transportation routes free to the public. For example, Brisbane has free service on several bus routes in the city center, while Perth offers free transit on buses and trains within a certain city zone. Melbourne also has a free tram zone .

16. Travel at a discount. If you’ll be spending time in Australian cities, keep an eye out for public transportation discount cards such as Sydney’s Opal card , which offers discounts and a cap on your maximum daily and fares, no matter how many times you use the transit system. These passes can save you money over individually priced tickets.

17. Think outside the tour. Why pay for a pricey sightseeing cruise around Sydney’s harbor when you could enjoy the same scenic views from a Sydney public ferry for about a third of the price?

Getting Back to Nature in Tasmania, Australia

How to Save on Meals in Australia

18. Go grocery shopping. Buy your food where the locals do: at supermarkets. Instead of paying for your hotel’s pricey breakfast, pick up a loaf of fresh bread at the local market and keep it in your room for a morning meal. Add some meat and cheese and you’ve got yourself a picnic lunch.

19. Don’t overtip. Tipping is generally not required in Australia, though it’s growing more common in restaurants. If you’re pleased with your waiter or waitress, a 10 percent tip will be appreciated. Tipping is not necessary at bars, though you can round your bill up if you’d like.

20. Find cheap eats. Skip the touristy restaurants and follow the locals to places where you can find great food at a great value. Think ethnic restaurants—Thai food is cheap, plentiful, and popular in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, as is takeaway sushi. Department store food halls are also a good bet for quick, inexpensive meals. In smaller towns along the coast, look for little joints offering the ubiquitous fish and chips.

9 Ways to Find Cheap Eats Anywhere You Travel

How to Save on Australia Lodging

21. Consider a home- or farmstay. Staying in a family home or on a working farm offers a wonderful way to interact with locals and get a genuine feel for what it’s like to live Down Under. Find farmstays on sites such as FarmStayPlanet and Downunder Farmstays . You can find rooms in people’s homes on Airbnb or Homestay.com .

22. Consider a vacation rental. Particularly if you’re traveling with a family or group, a vacation rental could save you money over a hotel stay by giving you more space for less money, and by offering a kitchen where you can cook your own meals instead of eating out. Find one on these vacation rental sites .

23. Look into hostels. Contrary to popular belief, hostels aren’t just for 21-year-old backpackers. Many Australian hostels offer private rooms and even private bathrooms—so if you don’t mind basic accommodations, they can be a cheap and comfortable alternative to fancier hotel rooms. See Hostelworld.com .

24. Swap your home. A home exchange is perhaps the cheapest way to stay in Australia—you stay in an Australian’s house for free while he or she stays in yours. Often you’ll have use of your exchange partner’s car during your stay, which will save you money on transportation. Read more in SmarterTravel’s article on home exchange .

25. Go camping. Australia has some of the world’s most scenic and well-maintained campgrounds and caravan parks. Renting an RV gives you the freedom to drive yourself around the country, as well as a cozy and inexpensive place to sleep each night. Find campsites at AustralianCampsites.com.au .

More from SmarterTravel:

• Getting Around Australia: Transportation Tips
• Where to Stay in Australia: Lodging Tips
• 12 Underrated Beach Towns in Australia

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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The Cost of Travel in Australia: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

I’m so excited to be sharing how much it costs to travel in Australia. Not only is this country home for me (I moved to Melbourne in 2021!), but I’ve also spent a significant amount of time travelling across its beautiful landscapes.

There was the lengthy road trip from Brisbane to Melbourne, the two weeks I spent hiking in Tasmania, the week I dedicated to snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, and even the five times I’ve tackled the Great Ocean Road (what can I say? I love it!).

My partner’s family live in Melbourne, and before moving here to join them, we used to spend a month in this vibrant country every year, for over a decade, celebrating Christmas Down Under and visiting as many hipster cafes as possible.

Needless to say, I’ve seen a hell of a lot of this country over the years and have visited on every budget imaginable: as a backpacker with absolutely no spare cash, as a solo traveller on a mid-range budget, and as part of couple on a romantic luxury vacation.

In other words, I’m perfectly placed to share exactly how much you can expect to spend on a trip to Australia! Whether you’ll be living the Working Holiday dream and driving a beaten-up campervan along the East Coast, taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Oz post-retirement, or simply desperate to make the most of your two-week vacation to Australia, I have you covered.

Today, I’m going to be sharing exactly how much you can expect to spend on a trip to Australia.

The Cost of Accommodation in Australia

You can visit Australia on any budget, from  a $40 a night hostel in Cairns  that’s highly-rated on Booking to the spectacular $500 a night Four Seasons Sydney , which offers up the best views of the Sydney Opera House in the city.

(Those prices are in AUD, by the way. 1 AUD is equal to 0.60 USD/EUR, or 0.53 GBP.)

But first things first; we have to get this out of the way. Yes, Australia is expensive. It’s incredibly expensive, in fact. And — like everywhere else in the world — prices have only skyrocketed as the pandemic has receded.

Despite this, there is still good  value to be found. Because whether you’re travelling as a solo backpacker on a shoestring, as part of a couple on a mid-range budget, or as a family looking for a little luxury, value is the one thing you’re going to be looking for. That doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, of course, but it does mean staying in some incredible places.

So let’s take a look at accommodation. To start with, I’m going to cover the cheapest way to travel across the country.

If you’re on the tightest of tight budgets, there are several options that’ll land you with  free accommodation  while you’re in the country.  Courchsurfing  helps you to connect with locals by sleeping on spare sofas in their homes. It doesn’t cost a penny to do so and is a fantastic way to gain an insight into Australian daily life away from the tourists. There are over 300,000 hosts in Australia, so you shouldn’t find it too hard to connect with somebody likeminded.

Housesitting  is a more upmarket way to avoid paying for accommodation, as it’s aimed at mid-range and luxury travellers. You’ll be looking after homes (and usually pets) while their owners are on holiday, and the houses can be extremely luxurious (I’ve had friends housesit a castle before!). This option works best if you don’t have fixed travel plans, as you’ll be agreeing to dates that the owners set. It’s always worth taking a look at the site, though, just in case somebody’s vacation dates happen to coincide with yours; there’s usually several hundred housesits to browse through in Australia at any one time.

Finally, when it comes to free accommodation, you could take a look at  WorldPackers in Australia , where you’ll be able to volunteer for locals in exchange for food and board. There are some seriously cool options available on the site right now, from helping out at a local surf school to lending a hand at building an eco-sanctuary in the rainforest. Readers of this site get a $10 discount for WorldPackers with the promo code  neverendingfootsteps .

If you’re not looking to travel for free, though and just want a clean and comfortable room to sleep in, there are plenty of great budget options, too.

The Best Hostels in Australia

One of the most affordable ways to explore Australia is by staying in a hostel.

During my first visits to Australia, I was in my early twenties and living the backpacker dream; attempting to save as much money as possible. I was impressed by the quality of the hostels in Australia, as well as how many there were to choose from. This country is practically a mandatory stop on backpackers’ round-the-world trips, so there’s cheap accommodation aplenty in every tourist destination.

Here’s some of my favourite spots in the country:

• My favourite hostel in  Sydney  is easily the epic Sydney Harbour YHA — just wait until you see the views of the Sydney Opera House from the rooftop terrace! It’s in a perfect location for exploring the city, the staff are amazing, and breakfast is included. You’ll pay $70 per night for a dorm bed, or $200 a night for a private room with en-suite.
• In  Melbourne , you can’t get better than  the Space Hotel — I recommend my friends here whenever they come to visit! Here, dorm rooms are priced at just  $65 a night and private rooms are $160 per night . In a town where most hostels are rated poorly, this well-reviewed spot is a no-brainer.
• You’ll likely be heading to  Brisbane  while you’re in Australia, and if so, I recommend  Breeze Lodge , which has dorm rooms for  $55 night . The staff here are wonderful and really helped me make the most of my time in town. The rooms were spotless, the vibes immaculate, and the beds comfortable. You can’t ask for more than that!
• The Gold Coast  is home to  the Surf Inn , which is one of my favourite spots in the country. Here, dorms are priced at  $65 a night . No wonder it’s the best-rated budget accommodation in town. What I loved most about this place is its lovely swimming pool, the fantastic free breakfast, and its close proximity to the beach. Truly, this is one of the best value spots in all of Australia.
• I’m a massive fan of  Perth . I chose to stay in  Spinners Hostel  during my most recent visit and came away so impressed with the rooms. Not only is it inexpensive at  $50 a night  for a dorm, but the beds are comfortable, the rooms modern and spacious, and the location incredible (I love the Northbridge neighbourhood so much!)

Overall, then, you can see that you can expect to spend around  $60 a night  for dorms in Australia, and around  $160 a night  for a private double room in a hostel. See what I mean about Australia being a little bit pricey?

Well, now it’s time to move on to the cost of hotels in Australia. Because what if you’re not a budget traveller and just want to stay in a lovely, well-reviewed hotel or guesthouse that’s good value for money and has all the things you need from a place to lay your head? I’ve got you!

My 2024 Recommendations for Hotels in Australia

It’s time to start looking at hotels.

In this section of my budget breakdowns, I always like to share my personal recommendations for accommodation within a country. That way, you get to browse through my favourite properties in order to make your trip planning easier, while also gaining an insight into how much you can expect to spend. And trust me: I spend hours researching each and every hotel that I stay in; I know which places offer the best value in Australia.

My biggest tip? When you head to  Booking.com  to find a hotel, ignore the default results that are shown whenever you search for properties in a destination. That initial list is simply a rundown of all of the hotels that pay Booking the highest commission[!], some of which have some pretty poor write-ups. Instead, click the “sort by” dropdown menu above the search results and choose to sort the properties by “Top Reviewed”. That way, you’ll be able to see which hotels are actually the best option for you.

All that to say, as I’ve been roaming around Australia, I’ve been making a note of the best accommodation in every city, putting in the hard work so you don’t have to. Here’s where I recommend staying (these are predominantly mid-range budget options, in excellent locations with the best reviews). Again, all prices are in AUD:

Sydney: Medusa Hotel ( $230 per night ) — Located in one of my favourite Sydney neighbourhoods — the eclectic Darlinghurst — Medusa hotel is close to so many of the best restaurants and cafes in the city’s inner east. You’re a 30 minutes walk from the CBD (and many of the tourist attractions) so you’ll pay a little less for accommodation than you would if you were right in the heart of the city; an added bonus. On top of that, the property itself is super-quiet and peaceful, tastefully decorated, and with a lovely courtyard. I stay here every time I visit Sydney.

Melbourne: ZaGame’s House ( $260 a night ) — Fun fact! When the pandemic struck, I was in Melbourne as the city went into lockdown. Without a home, I spent nine months living out of hotels and Airbnb apartments, trying so many different Melburnian neighbourhoods on for size. In other words, I know this city, and I know the best places to stay. I love ZaGame’s House for its location — right in the heart of the incredible Carlton neighbourhood, where you’ll find the Queen Vic Market (my favourite food market in the world!) and still be within walking distance of the main attractions in town. You’ve got beautifully designed rooms, amazing staff, a well-equipped gym, and one of the most comfortable beds ever. This is one of my favourite places in Melbourne.

Brisbane: The Inchcolm by Ovolo ( $275 a night ) — Take a look at the photos of the Inchcolm and tell me you don’t want to immediately book a stay there! The decorations and artwork are gorgeous, and the rooms are clean, spacious, and so comfortable. For me, though, the main reason to stay at the Inchcolm is the phenomenal staff members! No matter whether you’re looking for travel advice or a cocktail recommendation in the bar, they’re only too happy to drop everything and help you out. Throw in free access to the Fitness First gym across the street and you’ve got yourself everything you need for your time in Brisbane!

Gold Coast: Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise ( $235 a night ) — To me, staying on the Gold Coast is synonymous with being in a high-rise hotel, gazing down on a stretch of pristine white sand that seems to go on forever. Well the Meriton Suites in Surfers Paradise offers exactly that and I couldn’t stop swooning over its views. You’re located just steps away from the beach, the rooms are clean and spacious, with fully-equipped kitchens, and you’ve got access to an indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym… the list goes on. This place is an absolute gem!

Cairns: Travellers Oasis ( $130 a night ) — A cheaper option for Cairns, but when the accommodation is so great, staying here is a no-brainer. Travellers Oasis has the best outdoor area, with a jungle-esque garden area, access to a BBQ, and a refreshing swimming pool (100% needed in the sweltering humidity of Cairns!) Rooms are well-cleaned and comfortable, with air conditioning to help keep you cool. It offers up a relaxed vibe to travellers, thanks to the warm and welcoming owners. As an added bonus, it’s only a five-minute walk from all of the best restaurants in town.

Perth: Alex Hotel ( $230 a night ) — There’s no getting around it: Perth is one of the most expensive cities in Australia for tourists, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bargains to be found. In particular, I’m a huge fan of Alex Hotel, in the city’s CBD. Not only is it only a 15-minute walk from my favourite restaurant in the city (Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King: if you’re a ramen fan, you have to go!), but the interior is beautifully decorated, the breakfasts are impressive, and the rooftop terrace offers up some great city views.

Hobart: The Lodge on Elizabeth Boutique Hotel ( $196 a night ) — The Lodge is a wonderful historic home (one of the oldest buildings in Hobart!) that’s located just a 10-minute walk into the centre of the city. What I loved about it was how homely it feels. It’s like coming back to a cosy home at the end of a long day of exploring — and there’s no better feeling than that! You can expect free parking, tons of travel advice from the owners, delicious breakfasts, and even free glasses of port in the communal lounge. Enjoy!

The Cost of Transportation in Australia

One thing to keep in mind is the sheer size of this country! It’s around the same size as the continental U.S., so if you wouldn’t expect to be able to see the entirety of the United States in two weeks, it’s unrealistic to hope to do the same in Australia.

With the vast majority of Australia’s attractions scattered along its coastline, driving distances can therefore be huge. My road trip from Brisbane to Melbourne involved driving well over 1,000 miles (1600 km), while Sydney and Perth are separated by a whopping 2,500 miles (4,000 km). To drive from Brisbane to Cairns, you’ll spend 19 hours behind the wheel and still be in Queensland.

Because of this, it’s often easier, definitely faster, and usually cheaper, to fly between Australian cities. Still, don’t expect flights to always be speedy: it takes a whopping five hours to fly from Sydney to Perth!

If you’re short on time, though, it’s well worth taking a look at the offerings from the local airlines, as flights within Australia can sometimes even cost less than taking a bus. As an example, I paid just A$40 for a Jetstar flight from Cairns to Melbourne, skipping the 31 hour[!] drive time. You’ll most likely be flying with Qantas, Jetstar, or Virgin Australia; Qantas has the nicest planes; Jetstar is usually cheapest. I recommend using the flight comparison tool, Skyscanner , to find the best deals.

One of my top tips for saving money in Australia is to check the prices of flights for smaller airports that are located on a city’s outskirts. For example, Avalon Airport is just 15 miles from Melbourne’s main airport of Tullamarine, but usually offers cheaper flights. It’s nearly always less expensive to fly into the Gold Coast instead of Brisbane; two cities that are less than 50 miles apart.

One final thing: last year, the budget airline Bonza launched in Australia, offering very cheap flights for a limited number of destinations in the country (they have neither SA or WA flights nor Sydney yet). The catch? The only way to see their prices of flights is to download the “Fly Bonza” app. Yeah, it’s kind of a pain in the ass. Still, if you’re looking for a bargain, it might be worth the added annoyance for you to take a quick look; their prices are often half what the major carriers are charging. (Melbourne to Alice Springs is $169 direct, for example, in comparison to Jetstar/Virgin’s $350 with a layover in Adelaide).

With all that being said, there’s nothing quite like overlanding across Australia, and this country is well set-up for a road-trip. I’ve road-tripped four times throughout the country, from the Great Ocean Road to the entire East Coast.

If you’re on a tight budget, the easiest way to see the country is to buy a campervan when you touch down in Australia — this is how backpackers have been exploring Australia for decades . Then, when you’ve finished your road trip, you simply sell your campervan to a brand new arrival in the country. It works out to be a lot cheaper than renting (as long as you don’t total the car!) as you’ll make most of your money back at the end of the trip. Some people even manage to sell their campervan for more than they paid for it, completely eliminating all transportation costs from their trip!

You can find campervans for sale on Gumtree and Facebook (try the groups Backpacker Campervans for Sale and Campervan Sales Australia ). In general, there’ll always be a cheap and cheerful option for 10,000 AUD (6,500 USD/EUR or £5,300) available. For something with lower mileage and a more comfortable set-up, you’ll be looking at around 25,000 AUD , although obviously the sky’s the limit! If you want a bougie, Instagrammable, #vanlife set-up, you’ll be looking at as much as 70,000 AUD for your camper.

If buying isn’t for you, then renting is still a great option, whether it’s a campervan to road trip around the country, or settling on an economy car to save money. Personally, I’ve always nearly always rented a car while road-tripping Australia, so that I could stay in hotels along the way.

Regardless of which method best suits you, car rental prices can range from $50 a day for an economy car, all the way up to $150 — I always book through RentalCars.com when hiring a car. For campervans, it’s best to go with Jucy or Travellers Autobarn — both companies have a range of vehicles, including brand new ones, that are competitively priced. You’ll expect to pay between $120 and $230 a day , depending on how high-end the vehicle is.

Public buses are a great way to get around the country — in my option, the best way if you’re on a tight budget — and they’re seriously cheap if you’re going to be traversing the entire country. Greyhound is your best bet here, as they cover most of Australia and at very reasonable rates. If you book far enough in advance, you can sometimes grab a ride for just $1 !

Take a look at Greyhound’s Whimit passes, too, if you plan on travelling predominantly by bus. These are easily the cheapest way to travel across Australia. The Whimit passes give you unlimited travel across Australia; you can undertake any bus route of any length at any time over any travel period. Prices are as follows:

$665 for 90 days of travel works out to just $7.39 per day , which is so much cheaper than renting your own car and paying for petrol!

I’ll briefly mention interstate trains here, as there are a few of them in Australia, but they make for a pretty expensive option. It’s usually way cheaper to take the bus or fly between stops than to take the train. For example, the famous Ghan train, which runs between Adelaide and Darwin, takes you across the heart of Australia over three days, living in luxury and gazing out at that iconic Outback scenery. This isn’t a trip for the budget travellers, however: a three-day trip on the Ghan comes in at a whopping $3000 . Per person . Yikes!

I do want to give a specific shout-out to the cost of trains within the state of Victoria, however! They’re incredibly affordable here. In fact, you’ll never pay more than $9.20 for any train ride, even if its a multi-hour journey, taking you from one side of the state to the other! It makes day-tripping cheap and feasible for those of you who don’t want to drive.

Within the cities themselves, you’ll find that public transport is reasonably priced. Unsurprisingly, Sydney and Melbourne have the best public transport accessibility in Australia, followed by Perth and Brisbane. 

Buses, trains, and ferries operate in the vast majority of Australian cities, and you’ve also got trams in Melbourne and light railways in Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, and the Gold Coast. There’s even a metro system in Sydney and Adelaide! We do also have Uber here in Australia, which makes getting around a breeze. I generally pay around $50 for a 30 minute drive.

Needless to say, there’s lots of ways to get around if you won’t have a car. To give some examples of prices:

In Sydney, you’ll pay (depending on time of day and distance travelled) $4-6 for a bus, $2-11 for a train, $7-10 for a ferry, or $4-5 for a light-rail journey.

In Melbourne, public transport fares start at $3.30 , and there’s a $10 cap on daily public transport fares, so you’ll never pay more than that per day, no matter how many trains, trams, or buses you take. There’s also a free tram zone in the heart of the city, where you won’t pay anything at all!

In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, transportation fares range between $3 and $22 , based on distance, although you’re unlikely to pay as much as $22 , as that’s the cost of travelling 170 km to Gympie (something a tourist is unlikely to do!).

The Cost of Food in Australia

When you ask me about the food in Australia, there’s one thing that comes to mind: brunch.

Australian breakfasts are the absolute best in the entire world, with Melbourne offering up the tastiest versions . From Vegemite on toast to avocado on toast (called smashed avo), Australia is all about bringing new breakfast dishes to the world. But the brunches are on a whole different level, with a multitude of elaborate ingredients and flavours. If I was only able to eat out for one mealtime in Australia? It would definitely be for breakfast.

Like absolutely everything in Australia, food is relatively expensive — particularly eating out in restaurants. I can easily spend $20-30 on every single meal, so if you’re hitting up cafes and restaurants for all three meals, you can easily find yourself spending $100 a day just on food. The food is fantastic, though, so if you have the cash, it’s absolutely worth digging into Australia’s food scene.

“Throw a shrimp on the barbie!” This iconic line is what most visitors to Australia think of when it comes to food, but fun fact: I’ve never once seen — let alone eaten! — a shrimp on the barbecue! Still, BBQing is a huge deal in Australia, and it’s a great way to keep your costs down. Once of my favourite things about Australia is that many of the parks are home to free public barbecues! It makes for such a cheap meal: hit up the local supermarket for some meat, then head to the park to cook for yourself. You’ll nab yourself a meal for less than $10 and have a cultural experience while you’re at it!

Kangaroo? Absolutely! You can buy kangaroo meat from supermarkets (I like kangaroo sausages) and order kangaroo from many restaurants. It’s not a particularly exciting meat to eat, as it just tastes like a cross between beef and venison, but hey, if you eat meat and want to try something new, it’s definitely worth a sample. While you’re trying new meats, I recommend hitting up a fish and chip shop while you’re travelling Australia’s coastline: while you’re there, make sure to order flake: it’s shark!

While eating out in Australia can be expensive, it’s not too pricey to buy from supermarkets. If you’re backpacking or looking to save money, then, aim to have your breakfasts and lunches from the supermarkets: you’ll pay $1 for a 500g of pasta and $2 for some pasta sauce, for example, or $1 for a loaf of bread and $1 for some butter. Not very exciting or nutritious, no, but if you’re prioritising seeing as much as possible, you can see how it’s easy to keep costs low.

Australia is a drinking society, offering up booze from the infamous goon (boxed wine that’s $10 for 5 litres) to a high-end wine from the Adelaide wine region (easily $50). A beer in a restaurant can cost around $8, and a cocktail in a fancy bar can easily come in at $18. When it comes to alcoholic options, coffee comes in at $3-4, and even a can of soda works out to be $3!

The Cost of Activities and Entrance Fees in Australia

When it comes to travel in Australia, there are so many famous activities and attractions to add to your itinerary. The only downside of this, of course, is that — yet again! — they come at a price.

The greatest attraction in Australia is the magnificent Uluru: that gigantic red rock in the centre of the country. I highly recommend checking it out while you’re in Oz, but it’s important to keep in mind that its location can make for a lengthy and expensive trip. The first expense is getting there: if you have your own wheels, it’s well worth making the drive through the Outback, but if that sounds like an intimidating journey, you’ll be flying into Alice Springs instead. Flights are typically between $300 and $400 for a one-way ticket; $500 to $800 for a return ticket. On top of that, you’ve got the entrance fee ( $38 for three days), the cost of a tour (around $300 for day trip), and any special experiences ( $200 for a 25-minute helicopter ride ; $180 for a base walk, full day in the park, and sunset BBQ ).

Speaking of expensive experiences, I absolutely loved the time I spent out on the Great Barrier Reef. It was incredible! But the main thing to know is that if you want to see healthy, live coral, you need to jump on a liveaboard, which means you need to spend at least one night out on the water. This additional time allows you to travel away from the day-trippers, who spend their days observing dead, bleached coral. It is pricey, but this was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Australia (and I went in with low expectations!). We went with Reef Encounter (the best company in Cairns) and paid $1,600 for two nights on board. It was truly, truly incredible and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I also took a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef with GLS Aviation and paid $300 for two people to take a 40-minute flight. I wrote about this experience in-depth on my site — it was amazing! And so valuable to be able to see the reef from above. It really helped to put its size into perspective for me.

And finally, don’t forget the entrance fee to Australia itself! Fun fact: I’ve managed to forget to apply for a visa for Australia twice over the past decade, and both times, it’s caused me an inordinate amount of stress and panic. Yes, as soon as you book your flights to Australia, you’re going to want to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) in order to enter the country. Don’t forget! I use iVisa for my ETAs for Australia and pay $20 each time.

Don’t You Dare Forget About Travel Insurance!

Travel insurance : If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Australia. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re way cheaper than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay  $1.50 a day  for travel insurance.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Australia?

With all of that being said, it’s time to tally up all of my travel expenses in Australia, in order to give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend while travelling in this wonderful country:

The cost of travel in Australia for backpackers

Accommodation: A$30 per day Transportation: A$20 per day Food: A$25 per day Activities: A$10 per day

Total cost of travel: $A85 per day (58 USD per day)

The cost of travel in Australia for couples on a mid-range budget

Accommodation:  A$50 per day Transportation:  A$30 per day Food:  A$40 per day Activities:  A$12 per day Total amount spent per day: A$132 per day

ARE YOU PLANNING A TRIP TO AUSTRALIA? HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

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Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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24 comments.

I’m not much of a hiker either but I do get that sudden burst of pride that I can take it all in my stride like there’s no stitch, no shortness of breath & definitely no sweat pouring into my eyes. The feeling of making it to the top is incredible, the feeling of sitting down & filling your mouth with cold water – even better :)

Agreed! I think I may now be a hiking convert — the feeling of pride afterwards was amazing!

Hiking in flip flops?! Are you crazy! Haha! I’m going to hike up Adams peak in Sri Lanka tomorrow night, soon I will have cobra calves like you!

Hahaha! I’d lived in flip flops for the past year so assumed I’d be fine. I probably should have bought some hiking boots….

Good luck with the hike! Cobra calves are sexy :)

good choice seeing the blue mountains. it really is underrated imo.

you heard the story about the first convicts in Australia? not knowing where they were, they thought China was on the other side of the blue mountains…

Thanks! And nope, I hadn’t heard that before — too funny!

I was horrified too when I realised just how big Australia is, but after a while it became second nature to spend a whole day travelling from one place to the next. The Blue Mountains is one of the places in Australia I really wish I had visited, it looks so, so beautiful.

Aren’t the distances crazy. If I drove for the amount of time I did in Australia I’d end up in the ocean!

The Blue Mountains was probably the highlight of my entire time in Australia so hopefully you’ll make it there one day! :)

Wow it looks amazing! Impressive doing it in flipflops as well. Although I would recommend buying something slightly more comfortable to wear for all the New Zealand hiking I’m sure you will be doing. I did the famous Tongariro Crossing in Converse. Something I do not recommend…took me three days for my feet to recover after that…

Yep, I bought a pair of excellent hiking shoes a few days after my time in Blue Mountains and love them!

I can’t imagine doing the Tongariro in Converses would have been particularly easy! :)

Wow stunning photos for such a stunning place! I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never heard of this place at all! However, I’m glad I saw your tweet, because now I can add this to my list of a biz-zillion things I want to do before I die.

It’s ok, Bryan… I didn’t know its name before I arrived :-) Glad you’ve added it to your list, it definitely deserves a place there!

Knew there was a reason the Blue Mountains were on my Aussie bucket list :D I’m not a hiker and already know I’m going to bitch and moan all the way up but looking at your photos, it’s definitely going to be worth it and I can’t wait :D

Yay! I’m so glad you’re going to be heading here — it’s been my favourite place in Australia! :-) And, really, if I made it in flip flops then you *definitely* can handle it!

I literally just got to Sydney this morning and was planning a trip to the Blue Mountains when I realized I hadn’t checked your blog in a while. Thankfully I did! Great tips and photos as always! My travel companions are also super excited since they share your enthusiasm for hour long sunset photo shoots haha

Awesome, I’m so glad it could help! You’ll love it there, it’s SO beautiful!

Those are such gorgeous photos! It really is such a dramatic landscape. I did the same hike as you last year and loved it! I took that tram back up, the steepest one in the world I think it is. So sure I was going to slip out! Really great blog :)

Thanks, Veronica!

I didn’t get a chance to take the tram but it looked pretty daunting… I would have probably spent the entire journey hyperventilating!

Haha, I’m enjoying reading about your progress towards becoming “A Hiker.” Looks like a gorgeous hike for sure!

Though, I hate to tell you this… but I feel like Dave might be onto your nose-breathing secret after reading this post… ;)

Wait until you hear about the stuff I get up to in New Zealand! I go a bit crazy and almost break myself :)

*Cue Mouth Drop* These photos are stunning! This is intense. Everytime I come on here now it’s featuring some sort of awesome bike trip (or a gnarly fall) or an amazing hike. I love it!

Awww, thanks Ryan, glad you like the photos!

Haha, I’ve done a few hikes in flip flops too! Sometimes not the best choice, but I just love them so much it makes it hard to put on real shoes :) Good choice on picking the Blue Mountains! They look stunning!

I know! After about a year in Southeast Asia, I threw out all of my other shoes and lived in flip flops… I love them so much!

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Australia Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 1, 2024

Australia is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It’s known as a major backpacking, camping, road tripping, and diving destination.

Backpacking Australia is considered a “must do” for backpackers. It’s a central highlight on the round-the-world trail. I started coming to Australia in 2008 as a backpacker. It hooked me and, since then, I’ve visited over five times and have crisscrossed the country three times. Every single trip I discover something new about this country to love.

But this isn’t just a country for backpackers. Its huge diversity means every traveler can find something they love here.

Australia is filled with incredible natural beauty: Uluru and the Outback, rainforests and pristine white sand beaches, and of course, the Great Barrier Reef. Sydney’s Harbor Bridge and Opera House are iconic man-made wonders, and Melbourne’s café culture will make you feel like you’re relaxing in Europe . You have surfing, hiking, camping, boating, and a ton of other activities available to you. It makes some of the best wine in the world. Australia has it all.

However, the country’s size and limited transportation options, makes it hard to get around. And it’s not the cheapest place to visit, even if the currency is a tad weak right now.

Fortunately, this extensive Australia travel guide will show you how to save money, plan your trip, and make the most of your time Down Under. Because this country is worth taking the time to explore – and doesn’t need to cost a fortune!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Australia

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in australia.

1. See Sydney

Australia’s largest city has a range of activities to keep you busy. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, surf at Bondi Beach, party in King’s Cross, sail across the harbor, visit the Opera House, and take in world-class innovation in Darling Harbor. There’s a ton to see and do here and it’s worth spending a few days here to soak it all in. Other popular beaches nearby include Manly (wide and beautiful), Bronte (small and quiet), Coogee (fun), Palm (chill), and Dee Why (surfing). And, if you’re feeling adventurous, tours that climb the iconic (and massive) harbor bridge cost 250 AUD.

2. Visit Uluru

This beautiful red rock formed over 550 million years ago. Tourists have been visiting the rock since the 1930s and it’s of great spiritual importance to the local Aboriginal peoples. Formerly known as Ayers Rock, the best way to visit is by going as part of a multi-day tour of the area or driving on your own. You’ll be able to walk around the rock, learn about its cultural importance, and watch the rising/setting sun splash against it. Admission is 38 AUD per person and is valid for three days. Note: Climbing on the rock is prohibited.

3. Dive the Great Barrier Reef

Don’t miss diving or snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. It’s the largest living organism on Earth, spanning some 344,000 square kilometers (133,000 square miles). The reef is brimming with wildlife, including giant clams, manta rays, sharks, turtles, clown fish, and more! Cairns is the most popular jumping-off point for dive trips to the reef. I was blown away by the abundant wildlife and coral. It did not disappoint! Dive trips start around 230 AUD.

4. Explore Melbourne

Melbourne is much more relaxed than Sydney (and, personally, I like it more). This is the place to relax by the river, walk through the city gardens, eat amazing food, enjoy the art, and party in St. Kilda. It’s a fun, chill city with a youthful vibe and a ton of backpackers.

5. Sail the Whitsundays

The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 islands off the central coast of Queensland. They’re one of the most popular destinations in the country. It’s a popular region for sailing trips and since the vast majority of these islands are designated national parks, you’ll find numerous pristine beaches and dive sites here. It’s a postcard-perfect region. Expect to pay between 399-499 AUD per person for a three-day/two-night sailing trip. While expensive, it’s worth doing (I loved my trip).

Other Things to See and Do in Australia

1. explore fraser island.

The world’s largest sand island is a popular spot for camping, swim, hike, and seeing dingoes. You can hire your own 4WD car or take an overnight tour through the island that’s famous for its freshwater lake (and dingoes). The island is beautiful and filled with lakes, hiking paths, and sweeping vistas. Sadly, you can’t go in the water nearby as it’s rough and full of sharks, but there’s plenty of fishing, cool sand dunes, the stunning 75 Mile Beach, and a cool shipwreck for snapping photos. Camping on the island is super cheap too (less than 10 AUD per night!).

2. Visit Cairns

Cairns is Australia’s gateway to northern Queensland. From here you can visit the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree rainforest, the Atherton Tablelands, Cape Tribulation, and much more. Cairns is a pretty typical tropical city and life here focuses on taking the time to smell the roses. With so much to see, the city deserves a very long stay. Plan to visit for a week, which should give you enough time to explore the area and allows some downtime by the city’s awesome pool.

3. Wander Brisbane’s South Bank

Brisbane is a “business city.” Unlike Sydney or Melbourne, there isn’t a lot of “culture” here. But it’s a popular stop on the backpacker trail due to its location. Be sure to explore South Bank, which has some nice restaurants and decent pubs. There’s also an educational koala sanctuary here as well as a relaxing botanical gardens.

4. Hike the Daintree

The world’s oldest rainforest (yes, it’s older than the Amazon) offers hikes that range from easy to challenging, with dense jungles, beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and lots of wildlife. Spend a few days hiking around and getting out of touristy Cairns. If you really want to get off the beaten path, head up to Cape Tribulation and enjoy some real peace and quiet (just watch out for jellyfish when you go swimming). There are all kinds of day and multi-day trips available here with two-day guided trips costing around 350 AUD per person.

5. See Perth

Perth is Australia’s west coast capital and is often overlooked by most travelers. It’s expensive to get out there from the east coast (it’s a 5-hour flight from Sydney) so most travelers avoid it. But I love it. In fact, it’s probably my favorite city in all of Australia. Perth feels more like a large town than a city and is the best place to have a “Sunday Session” (an Aussie tradition of drinking on Sunday afternoons). From the beaches, food, and beer (be sure to take a day trip to Freemantle), Perth is just awesome.

6. Explore the Outback

No trip to Australia is complete without a trip to the Outback to see crocodiles, valleys, lakes, and the red desert. Find your own Crocodile Dundee as you explore the Red Center and Western Australia. And be sure to visit some of the places I love: Karijini National Park, the Kimberleys, Kakadu, and Litchfield National Park. The landscapes are stunning and there are all kinds of epic hikes to enjoy.

7. Surf on the Gold Coast

Australia is famous for its surfing, and one of the best places to learn is on the Gold Coast near Brisbane. You’ll find world-class waves, a wide beach, and lots of available lessons. If you don’t like the Gold Coast , there is always Noosa, Byron Bay, Bondi Beach, Perth, and, well, you get the idea. There’s a lot of surfing in Australia! A two-hour group lesson costs around 75 AUD. If you don’t need lessons and just want to surf, you can rent a board for around 60 AUD per day.

8. Take a wine tour

Whether you go down to Margret River, Hunter Valley, or the Barossa Valley, you will have many chances to taste Aussie wine right from the source. Visiting the wine country should be on your list of things to do. If you rent a car, you can stay longer or you can do guided tours from major cities. I think it’s best to base yourself in the area and spend about 3-5 days in each area tasting as much wine as possible. Day tours with Colorful Trips that visit three wineries in the Hunter Valley cost 199 AUD.

9. Admire the Ningaloo Reef

The Great Barrier Reef gets all the hype, but the Ningaloo Reef on the west coast is a far better reef system. Because it’s less developed and attracts fewer tourists, there are actually more fish and wildlife here — you can even swim with whale sharks . Plus, at some points (like at Coral Bay), the reef comes so close to the shore that you can swim right up to it on your own. Half-day trips start around 120-225 AUD per person.

10. Visit Western Australia

The most overlooked area in the country is the west coast. Here you can escape the crowds of the east coast, explore the Outback, see the Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay (one of my favorite spots in the world), Broome, Perth, and the Margaret River. It’s much less developed than the east coast but if you take one piece of advice away from this guide, it should be to visit this part of Australia. It’s the version of the country you picture in your head and is an amazing region for road trips, camping, hiking, and enjoying nature.

11. Tour Tasmania

Despite everyone knowing its name, hardly anyone ever makes it down here. (It’s far from the main tourist trail.) Tasmania has amazing hikes, beautiful bays (Wineglass Bay being the most famous), small towns, and excellent people. It’s just a ferry away from Melbourne too. The island is about the size of Ireland (or West Virginia in the USA) yet it’s home to just under 545,000 people. If you have the time, explore this terribly under-visited part of the country. It’s amazing. The ferry from the mainland costs around 100 AUD each way and takes 9-11 hours.

12. Hike the Blue Mountains

Right outside of Sydney , the Blue Mountains are an awesome place to explore. Over millennia, the ancient sandstone of this national park has been weathered into gorges lined by steep cliffs and separated by narrow ridges. The area is free to visit and you can get there by train, which takes around two hours. Spend the day admiring the magnificent rock formation of the Three Sisters (particularly stunning at sunset and under evening floodlights) and hiking along the paths that offer excellent views of the valley, sheer rock walls, tumbling waterfalls, and magnificent forests. For a guided tour, Get Your Guide offers full-day wildlife-spotting tours for 155 AUD.

13. Learn about pearling in Broome

Broome used to be the largest pearling port in the world. Founded around 1880, pearls were an important commodity used for making cutlery, buttons, and jewelry. By 1900, there were 300 ships here, though the industry fell into decline during World War II (and then, after the war, plastic was invented, which diminished the need for pearls). You can learn all about the region’s rich history at the Pearl Lugger Museum (tours for 30 AUD). If you want a more hands-on experience, Willie Creek Pearls also offers a two-hour boat tour for 129 AUD. You’ll learn about the risks and challenges of the industry while also getting to hold and touch all kinds of valuable pearls.

14. Visit the Kimberley

This area is known for its wilderness, so if you love the outdoors and don’t mind things getting rugged, add this to your itinerary. Located near Broome, this outback region is three times bigger than England that’s filled with stunning gorges, beautiful waterfalls, and a vast desert landscape. It was one of the first areas settled in Australia some 65,000 years ago (Europeans didn’t arrive here in the 1830s). There are all kinds of day trips and hikes here that you can do solo, as well as multi-day guided tours. Expect to pay around 1,200 AUD for a three-day guided excursion. If you’re going solo, popular overnight hikes include Piccaninny Gorge and Lurujarri Dreaming Trail.

15. Explore Kakadu National Park

The enormous Kakadu National Park is a biodiverse nature reserve in Australia’s Northern Territory. It encompasses wetlands and rivers and is home to saltwater crocodiles and flatback turtles, as well as many different bird species. Rock paintings (dating back to prehistory) can be viewed at Nourlangie, Nanguluwur, and Ubirr. You can find a lot of tours departing from Darwin. Be sure to spend at least a night in the park! Three-day tours cost around 735 AUD.

For more information on specific cities in Australia, check out these guides:

• Alice Springs Travel Guide
• Brisbane Travel Guide
• Broome Travel Guide
• Cairns Travel Guide
• Fraser Island Travel Guide
• Gold Coast Travel Guide
• Melbourne Travel Guide
• Perth Travel Guide
• Sydney Travel Guide
• Whitsunday Islands Travel Guide

Australia Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels dorms start around 25-30 AUD per night, though they get as high as 40 AUD in the big coastal cities. Private rooms with a double bed and a shared bathroom in hostels range between 65-100 AUD per night, though in larger cities they can be as high as 150 AUD. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi and self-catering facilities. Only some hostels include breakfast.

For those traveling with a tent, a basic tent plot without electricity starts around 7 AUD, though most are 10-25 AUD per night.

For budget hotels, expect to spend 100-120 AUD per night for a two-star hotel. Amenities usually include TV, Wi-Fi, and AC. Some hotels have a pool.

Airbnb is available around the country with private rooms starting around 40 AUD (though they average closer to 90 AUD). Entire homes/apartments cost at least 140 (though they are usually double or even triple that price so be sure to book early). Expect to pay about 10-20% more in the coastal cities.

Food – Food in Australia is diverse, with each region having its own specialties. While you can find cuisine of all types here, popular traditional choices include BBQ meat (especially sausages), meat pies, fish and chips, seafood, chicken parmigiana (chicken schnitzel topped with tomato sauce, ham, and melted cheese), and, of course, the infamous vegemite on toast.

Food prices vary per region, but generally, you can expect to pay 20-25 AUD for a meal at a casual restaurant. A fast-food combo from somewhere like McDonald’s costs 13-14 AUD while a pizza costs around 16-20 AUD. Chinese, Thai, and Indian food cost 12-20 AUD for a main dish.

If you want to splash out for something more upscale, a expect to pay around 55-70 AUD, including a drink, per person.

A beer is around 8 AUD, latte or cappuccino costs around 5 AUD, and bottled water between 2-3 AUD.

If you cook your own meals, expect to pay around 75-95 AUD per week for groceries. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Australia Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, you can visit Australia for 70 AUD per day. This assumes you’re staying in a cheap hostel, cooking all of your meals, using public transportation to get around, and doing mostly cheap or free activities like hiking and enjoying the beaches. If you camp, you can lower this budget by around 20 AUD per day. If you plan on drinking, add 10-20 AUD to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 200 AUD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or hostel room, eat out for a couple of meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, bus between cities, and do more paid activities like taking surf lessons or going diving.

On a “luxury” budget of 385 AUD or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, rent a car or camper van to explore, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in AUD.

Australia Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Australia can be a very expensive country to visit. If you aren’t careful, you’ll blow through your entire budget in no time as activities, food, and transportation all adds up fast here. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to save too. Here are some ways to save money when you visit Australia:

• Drink goon (box wine) – Goon is infamous on the Australian backpacker hostel trail. This cheap box of wine is the best way to drink, get a buzz, and save a lot of money at the same time. Drink this before you go out and save on spending money at the bar.
• Cook your own meals – The best way to reduce your costs is to cook as many meals as possible. Hostels and Airbnbs usually have kitchens and, while it’s not glamorous, it will save you a ton of money!
• Car share – Australia is a big country that can be expensive to get around. If you are traveling with friends, it’s smart to buy a used car or campervan (or rent a new one from one of the many rental companies in the country) and split the costs of gas. You can also hitch a ride with other travelers using sites like Gumtree, Jayride, or hostel message boards.
• Book tours as a package – This country has a lot of exciting activities and tours that eat into any budget. Booking activities together through a hostel or tour agency can get you a discount and save you hundreds of dollars.
• Work for your room – Many hostels offer travelers the opportunity to work for their accommodation. In exchange for a few hours a day of cleaning, you get a free bed to sleep in. Commitments vary but most hostels ask that you stay for at least a week. Check with the staff when you arrive to see if there are any opportunities available.
• WWOOF – WWOOFing is a program that allows you to work on organic farms in exchange for free room and board. Everyone I’ve met who stays in the country long-term does it for at least one month. It’s a great way to reduce your expenses and can a deeper look into local life.
• Stay with a local – Accommodation in Australia is pricey. If you plan ahead, you can usually find a Couchsurfing host that will host you for free. It’s the best way to connect with a local and get insider tips and advice.
• Camp – Camping is very affordable here, with basic tent plots costing as little as 7 AUD per night!
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water in Australia is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle with you to save money and lower your plastic use. LifeStraw makes a bottle with a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where To Stay in Australia

I’ve been a backpacker here for ages and have accumulated a long list of places to stay. Here are my suggested places to stay in Australia if you’re looking for a hostel:

• Base St. Kilda (Melbourne)
• Space Hotel (Melbourne)
• Wake Up! (Sydney)
• YHA Rocks (Sydney)
• Bunk Brisbane (Brisbane)
• City Backpackers HQ (Brisbane)
• Kimberley Travellers Lodge (Broome)
• The Shiralee Hostel (Perth)
• Aquarius Backpackers (Byron Bay)
• Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns (Cairns)
• Nomads Noosa (Noosa)
• Alice Lodge Backpackers (Alice Springs)

How to Get Around Australia

Public transportation – All of Australia’s cities have reliable, affordable public bus systems. In the bigger, cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, you’ll even find subways and tram systems. This is the cheapest way to travel the cities. Fares cost between 2.75-4 AUD.

Many cities offer day passes that include unlimited public transportation for under 10 AUD.

Bus – After driving, this is my favorite transportation option in Australia. On the east coast, this will be your cheapest option too. On the west coast, buses are surprisingly expensive as there are not many people moving up and down that coast and there’s limited competition. However, on the east coast, you can find really cheap bus tickets, especially if you book in advance.

The two main bus companies in Australia are:

• Greyhound Australia

Greyhound also offers several bus passes. Their Whimit Passes range from 15-120 days of unlimited travel and are perfect for traveling around on a whim (hence the name). They come in 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120-day passes costing 349-729 AUD.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Backpacker Bus – If you want to party with other backpackers as you travel, book a seat on the Magic Bus . This backpacker bus departs with 25 backpackers aged 18-35 for 3-4 weeks of exploring the country’s national parks, camping, bonfires, and non-stop parties and shenanigans.

Trips go from Perth north to Broome or east to Melbourne each month, so you have to time your trip accordingly to line up with the set departure. The itineraries are always flexible so every trip is unique. They try to keep a balance of 50% men and 50% women, as well as a balance of different nationalities, so there is always a diverse group. Prices vary so contact them for departure dates and ticket prices.

Train – Between city trams, commuter trains, and long-distance and trans-continental trains, Australia can be seen extensively by rail. Train lines exist mostly on the east coast with only two other major lines in the country: one goes north/south from Melbourne to Darwin and another east/east from Sydney to Perth.

For reference, Sydney to Canberra takes 5 hours and is 40-50 AUD while the 11-hour trip from Sydney to Melbourne costs over 200 AUD. Sydney to Brisbane takes 14 hours and costs 100-140 AUD.

Beyond the east coast, trains aren’t as plentiful and long-distance trains can be very expensive.

Flying – With Australia spanning over 7,000,000 square kilometers, it takes a long time to get around the country. Flying is one of the most efficient ways to city hop, but it’s not the cheapest. Australia’s major airlines include:

When booked in advance, flights can be very affordable here. Sydney to Melbourne is just 55 AUD and takes 90 minutes while Sydney to Cairns takes 3 hours and costs around 100 AUD each way. To cross the country, flights last around 5 hours. Sydney to Perth, when booked in advance, can cost as little as 150 AUD each way.

When not booked early, however, flights can easily double or triple these prices.

Rideshares – Every hostel has a bulletin board where travelers post rides and websites like Gumtree have active ridesharing sections where people look for cars or riders. I HIGHLY recommend this way of traveling when in the country. CoSeats is another good resource for finding rides.

Car rental – Car rentals start around 40 AUD per day. You don’t need one to explore any of the cities but if you want to travel the country then a car is best. Just remember that they drive on the left here.

Additionally, you can also purchase a car from backpackers leaving the country or locals selling used cars. You can usually find a used car for under 3,000 AUD. It might seem a lot, but there are always backpackers looking to share rides, which can cut down on our expenses.

When to Go to Australia

Temperatures vary across the country (it’s a huge landmass after all), but generally speaking, average summer temperatures range from 20-37°C (68-99°F). Remember that summer is from December-February here in the southern hemisphere. This is the most popular time to visit so expect big crowds and higher prices.

June-August (winter) is the low season. Prices are lower and there are fewer crowds. The temperature dips as well, hovering around 1°C (52°F) in the south while going as high as 30°C (86°F) in the north.

Spring and fall (March-May and September-October) are the shoulder season and the best time to visit. Crowds aren’t as big and prices aren’t as high and the weather is still enjoyable too, rarely dipping below 17°C (63°F).

Note that October to April is also “jellyfish season,” making waters unsafe for swimming or any other water sport. If you’re planning on enjoying Australia’s coast, this probably isn’t the best time to come. The season lasts from October to April in Northern Australia, and then from November to March elsewhere.

How to Stay Safe in Australia

Australia is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel around. Violent attacks and petty theft are rare here so you’re unlikely to get into trouble.

Most incidents in Australia tend to occur because visitors are not used to the country’s unique climate and wilderness. Be sure you have plenty of sunscreen and stay as hydrated as possible. This is especially true if you’re driving through the Outback. There are long, long distances without any towns in sight, so if you break down, you’ll want to be prepared. Always make sure you have enough gas in your vehicle for long drives.

If you’re hiking, make sure you know what to expect ahead of time. Be on the lookout for snakes and spiders. If you’re bitten, seek immediate care.

If you’re swimming, heed the red and yellow flags. Yellow flags indicate swimming conditions may be dangerous; red flags mean the beach is closed.

Mother Nature in Australia is NOT a force to be reckoned with in this country. Don’t be a hero.

Solo female travelers are generally safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone at night intoxicated, etc.). Consult other solo female travel blogs for specific advice.

If you’re worried about travel scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here . There aren’t many in Australia though so I wouldn’t worry too much here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 000 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Australia Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. Just enter your departure and arrival destinations and it will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost. It’s one of the best transportation websites out there!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Australia Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more information? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Australia travel and continue planning your trip:

The 7 Best Hotels in Sydney

Where to Stay in Brisbane: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hotels in Brisbane

The Best Walking Tours in Melbourne

The Best Walking Tours in Sydney

Where to Stay in Melbourne: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

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9 money-saving tips for budget travelers in Australia

Nov 10, 2023 • 8 min read

Stretch your budget further in Australia with these money-saving tips © Belinda Howell / Getty Images

Australia – with its wallpaper-worthy landscapes, vibrant cities, and unique wildlife – is a dream destination for many.

Unfortunately, while Australia  is known to be laid-back, it is not known as a budget destination. Even 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.

Whether you’re in Sydney , Perth  or an outback location in between, food, activities and especially accommodation can add up quickly. However with careful planning it is possible to keep costs reasonable on a trip to Australia. Here are our top money-saving tips along with a guide to daily costs.

A guide to daily costs

• Shared bunk room in a hostel: $40–80
• Basic room for two: $180–250
• Single fare on public transport: $2–4
• Bacon and egg roll for breakfast: $8–12
• Meat pie: $6
• Dinner per person, excluding drinks: $30–60
• Beer in pub: $5–9, 
• Cocktails: $15–25

Total average daily cost: $200 – 300

1. Plan your trip during the off-peak season

Australia's peak tourist season  falls during the southern hemisphere's summer. This makes December to February the most expensive time to visit Australia. 

Instead, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons of spring (September to November) or autumn (March to May), when you're more likely to score a deal on accommodation, domestic flights and even tours. As most accommodation providers – particularly in urban centers – rely on dynamic pricing, these months are when you’ll be more likely to snag a room for a reasonable price. The same is true of seats on internal flights and tour buses. 

It’s also a great opportunity to discover offbeat festivals timed to coincide with the seasons, such as Tasmania ’s winter solstice celebration, Dark Mofo, or cherry-picking in Victoria’s Yarra Valley .

2. Sydney is not always the cheapest city to fly into

Sydney is considered the gateway to Australia, but it’s not the country’s only international airport. You might be able to save a chunk of change if you fly directly into Melbourne , Brisbane or Perth instead. 

You'll find that domestic airfares within Australia are surprisingly budget-friendly, although their high environmental cost bears careful consideration. One-way flights between Melbourne and Sydney retail for as little as $59. You can expect a slightly higher level of service and more inclusions when flying with Australia’s budget airlines (including Bonza and Jetstar ) than you may have experienced with low-cost carriers in other regions. 

Another money-saving option is to consider a flight package. Qantas , Australia's largest airline, often has travel deals that include airfare, hotels and car hire . You can use its  multi-city trip planner to budget domestic travel within Australia. 

3. The cheapest places to eat are markets and pubs

Australia's big cities have top-notch restaurants , but they can be pricey and are likely to be a stretch too far for budget travelers. Instead, opt for the lively markets in laneways, parks, and historic sites. Savor street food, like Thai and Greek delights, at Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market or explore Sydney's Chinatown night markets on Fridays, with dishes starting at just $5. 

If you're in regional areas, weekends are a treat with farmers' markets offering everything from freshly baked pastries and picnic supplies to souvenirs to take home. 

For more wallet-friendly dining, keep an eye out for food trucks – they're everywhere. In Darwin , Parap Village Markets serves up some of the best laksa (Malaysian noodle soup) in Australia, while Sydney and Brisbane have a variety of options from Texas BBQ to Filipino fare.

And if you're in the mood for a classic Aussie meal, check out the local pubs. Most will offer a daily special, like a $12 chicken parmigiana or a $10 burger with chips. Finally, before you balk at prices for mains, remember that they include tax and tipping isn't customary; what you see on the menu is what you'll pay. 

4. Australia's best attractions are free

In Australia, the real treasures lie outdoors on captivating beaches, coastal walks, and mountain trails. There are over 600 national parks and while a handful charge an entrance fee, most are free to explore.

There are also hundreds of cost-free museums and attractions across the country, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Gallery of Victoria . Some may request donations or provide free entry only during specific hours, typically outlined on their websites. 

Another option is to join a free walking tour that delves into local history and iconic landmarks. In Brisbane, volunteers spend two to three hours guiding visitors through the city; the Sydney Sights tour leads you around neighborhoods and to famous places, like the Opera House ; and in Melbourne, a Culture Capital tour takes you deep into the city’s labyrinth of laneways and arcades. While these tours may advertise themselves as "free," they often run on a tips basis or "pay what you think it's worth", so bear in mind that the guides are usually expecting a financial contribution.

If you’re having trouble finding a tour online, ask at an information center or chat with the booking desk or concierge where you're staying. Just remember to book your spot for these tours in advance.

For popular tourist attractions, consider investing in a multi-attraction combo pass. Sightseeing Pass Australia , for example, offers discounts for attractions in South Australia and Western Australia, while Sea Life Sydney ’s Pass will save you up to 50% on other nearby sights. Alternatively, scout for discounts on platforms like Klook , Red Balloon  and Adrenaline to make the most of your sightseeing adventures.

5. Hire an RV or campervan for cheap accommodation and travel

Whether it's a road trip through the outback or along the coast , the best and sometimes only way to see Australia is by car. To explore efficiently, consider hiring a camper instead of a traditional car rental. Campervans provide affordable accommodation on wheels, with nightly fees at caravan parks averaging around $30 for unpowered sites, and upwards of $40 for powered spots (although you may find even better deals on private land through Hipcamp ).

There are also free campsites available throughout the country, offering an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience. These can be found using apps such as WikiCamps Australia and CamperMate . If you go this route, prepare for minimal amenities; some spots lack toilet facilities or access to clean water. 

Van rental costs start at approximately $40 per day, depending on the model. Camplify (which is like Airbnb for motorhomes and vans) has an under $100  section, making it easy to pick your next home on wheels within budget. Jucy Rentals is another option, best suited to road trippers on a backpacker budget.

While you’ll save on accommodation, bear in mind that petrol (gas) is expensive in Australia. Prices fluctuate, but at the end of 2023 a liter of fuel was between $1.80 and $2.10.

6. Consider a farm stay for a different perspective 

Australia is witnessing a rise in the popularity of rural farm stays among travelers. Whether visiting a region for a month or a weekend, you can book a tiny house on a cattle station or sleep in a chic converted shearing shed. They can sometimes be cheaper than hotels, with a breakfast typically included. Most importantly, they double as a free attraction for the whole family, as many farm stays encourage guests to pet the horses and feed the cows.

To find them, use Hipcamp or Booking.com 's "farm stay" filter. While some farm stays can be upwards of $600 for a luxe glamping experience, some cost less than $250 per night for an entire cottage to yourself. Many tourist-facing farmstays, such as the Tweed's Hosanna Farmstay , double as campgrounds with sites from $21 a night and huts from $125.

7. Work or volunteer while you travel 

A working holiday visa in Australia can be a savvy move to explore Australia's culture and breathtaking scenery while padding your wallet. Available for visitors between the ages of 18 and 30 (and up to 35 in some cases) from eligible countries, these visas allow you to work as a tourist in Australia. 

Housesitting is another option for travelers. You get to stay for free in great homes across Australia, in exchange for looking after the house, and possibly pets too, while the owners are away. Aussie House Sitters and Mindahome.com both list available house sits; there is a small membership fee to join, but it’ll pay off in accommodation savings if you land a housesitting gig.

8. Bring your own wine to dinner

Australia has steep taxes on alcohol, resulting in high prices. Expect to pay $13 for a glass of house wine. To lessen the blow on your budget, opt for happy hour drinks when cocktails are just $15 and tap beers will start at $5. Many places also offer food deals like $10 nachos and $5 fries. 

For a budget-friendly dinner with drinks, some restaurants – particularly Chinese, Italian, and Mediterranean ones – will allow you to bring your own bottle of wine. This will typically be advertised in the restaurant’s front window, with a nominal corkage fee of around $3. Although if you walk in with a “goon” bag (a four-liter bag of wine, which will set you back about $12) you might turn some heads.

9. Join a group tour

A common oversight among travelers is underestimating Australia's vast size. With a population of just 25 million, its landmass rivals that of the United States. Travel times – particularly to remote regions – aren’t just critical to your itinerary; they’ll also affect your bottom line. 

This is when group tours – which cover lodging, food, transportation, and experiences – can be particularly good value, especially for destinations such as Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and K’gari (Fraser Island) . Tour operators are typically able to negotiate lower group rates for their guests, saving you not just time and effort in planning, but money as well.

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The 5 Cheapest Ways to Travel Australia: Exploring Down Under on a Budget

Australia, known for its stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and vibrant culture, is a dream destination for many travelers. However, the vastness of this country often leads to concerns about the associated costs of Exploring Down Under on a Budget  it. Fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into The Cheapest Ways to Travel Australia without breaking the bank. From budget-friendly transportation options to inexpensive accommodations and money-saving tips, we’ve got you covered. So, pack your bags and get ready to experience the wonders of Down Under on a budget!

Table of Contents

Transportation Options:

Budget airlines :.

Traveling between major cities and even some regional destinations in Australia can be surprisingly affordable with Under on a Budget airlines. Companies like Jetstar, Tigerair, and Rex offer competitive prices for domestic flights, especially if booked well in advance . Keep an eye out for flash sales and promotions to snag even better deals in Exploring Down Under on a Budget.

Bus Travel :

Long-distance bus travel is another economical option to Exploring Down Under on a Budget. Companies like Greyhound and Premier Motor Service operate extensive networks connecting various cities and towns. Consider purchasing multi-trip passes for further savings.

Trains Tickets Under on a Budget:

While train travel in Australia can be more expensive than buses, booking in advance and opting for economy class can make it a cost-effective choice, especially for certain iconic routes like The Ghan Under on a Budget

Carpooling and Ridesharing In  Under on a Budget :

If you prefer more flexibility, explore carpooling and ridesharing platforms like Car Next Door, Gumtree, or Share My Car . This way, you can split fuel and toll costs with other travelers.

Accommodations:

Hostels in exploring down under on a budget  :.

Hostels are a backpacker’s best friend in Australia. They provide budget-friendly dormitory beds, communal kitchens, and opportunities to meet fellow travelers. Websites like Hostelworld and Hostelbookers offer excellent options with user reviews and ratings.

Australia is abundant in stunning national parks and free or low-cost camping sites. Consider investing in camping gear and  Exploring Down Under on a Budget the great outdoors without spending much on accommodation.

Couchsurfing In Exploring Down Under on a Budget:

For a unique and free experience, consider couchsurfing. Websites like Couchsurfing and BeWelcome connect travelers with locals willing to offer a free place to stay.

Budget Hotels and Motels:

While not as cheap as hostels or camping,Exploring Down Under on a Budget hotels and motels can still offer reasonable rates, especially when booked in advance or during off-peak seasons.

Food and Dining:

Cooking your meals:.

If your accommodation has a communal kitchen, make the most of it! Preparing your meals can save a significant amount of money. Head to local markets for fresh produce and groceries at lower prices compared to supermarkets.

Takeaway Specials:

Look out for takeaway specials and lunch deals at local eateries. This is an excellent way to enjoy the local cuisine without breaking your budget.

BYO Restaurants:

Opt for “Bring Your Own” (BYO) restaurants where you can bring your alcohol, saving you from pricey drinks on the menu.

Sightseeing and Activities :

Free and low-cost attractions to exploring down under on a budget :.

Australia is home to numerous free and low-cost attractions, including scenic hikes, beaches, art galleries, and museums. Take advantage of these experiences to enrich your journey without spending a fortune.

City Cards and Passes:

For city ,Exploring Down Under on a Budget check if there are any city cards or passes available. These often offer discounted entry to multiple attractions and public transportation.

Travel during Off-Peak Seasons:

If possible, plan your trip during the off-peak seasons. Not only will you encounter fewer crowds, but you’re also likely to find better deals on accommodations and activities.

Travel Tips and Tricks:

Travel light:.

Packing light can save you money on baggage fees when using budget airlines and make public transport more convenient.

Travel with a Group:

Traveling with friends or joining group tours can lead to bulk discounts and shared expenses to Exploring Down Under on a Budget.

Utilize Travel Apps:

Make use of travel apps like Skyscanner, Rome2rio, and Trail Wallet to find the best travel deals and manage your expenses.

What are some affordable transportation options for traveling within Australia?

Australia offers several budget-friendly transportation options such as long-distance buses, budget airlines, and train passes. These can be cheaper than domestic flights and offer scenic journeys across the country.

What are the best budget accommodations in Australia?

Australia has various affordable accommodation options, including hostels, backpacker lodges, and budget motels. Camping is also a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts, and there are many campsites across the country.

Are there any cheap alternatives to traditional tourist attractions in Australia?

Yes, there are plenty of free or low-cost alternatives to traditional tourist attractions. For example, exploring national parks, walking/hiking trails, visiting local markets, and enjoying the beaches are excellent ways to experience Australia without breaking the bank.

What are some tips for saving money on food during travel in Australia?

To save money on food, consider shopping at supermarkets and cooking your meals at hostels or campsites. Additionally, look for local eateries, food trucks, and street food markets, which often offer affordable and delicious options.

Are there any discounts or passes available for tourists on a budget?

Yes, there are various discounts and passes available for budget travelers. For instance, consider purchasing multi-attraction passes, city transport cards, and national park passes, which often offer savings on multiple activities.

Conclusion:

Exploring Australia on a budget is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. By opting for affordable transportation, budget accommodations, and smart money-saving tips, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of Down Under without overspending. Embrace the journey, cherish the experiences, and make memories that will last a lifetime without breaking the bank. Happy travels!

Anjali, a seasoned blogger with a passion for sharing her thoughts and experiences, has been actively engaged in the world of blogging for the past five years. With a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for detail, she has carved a niche for herself in the online community. Anjali's blog serves as a platform for her unique perspectives on a wide range of topics, from travel and lifestyle to technology and current affairs. Her writing style captivates readers, as she effortlessly weaves together engaging narratives and insightful analysis. Through her dedicated commitment to blogging, Anjali has become a trusted source of inspiration and information for her loyal followers.

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Traveling Australia On A Budget

by Melissa Giroux | Last updated Mar 31, 2024 | Australia , Travel Tips

Wondering if you can afford to travel around Australia?

It is possible to travel to Australia on a budget . In fact, there are many ways to do so. In this guide, we’ll explore ways you can save money and travel around the country without breaking the bank.

I’ll also share some insights about my own experiences when I was traveling in Australia as a backpacker in 2014-2015.

Wondering how to move to Australia? Read our guide to living in Australia .

Best Ways To Save Money When Backpacking Australia

When traveling to Australia on a budget, it’s important to know how expensive the cost of living is there. Fortunately, there are ways to travel around Australia while respecting your travel budget.

Stay In Hostels

Hostels are a great way to save money when backpacking Australia. They are typically much cheaper than hotels, and you can often find deals that include free breakfast or other amenities.

Additionally, most hostels have kitchens where you can cook your own meals, which can save you a lot of money on food costs.

It’s still important to note that hostels in Australia are more expensive than in destinations like Europe. In fact, a hostel can easily cost a minimum of $25-30 per night for a large dorm. Alternatively, you could get a hostel job and stay there for free.

Another option would be to find a flat. It’s possible to share a room with flatmates to save money on rent.

Use Public Transportation

Australia has an extensive public transportation system that can help you save money on travel costs. trains and buses are typically cheaper than renting a car, and they can take you to all of the major cities and attractions in Australia.

That said, some backpackers love to buy a car, or a van so that they can camp around Australia instead of spending money on accommodation.

Of course, this option works if you love camping , and you don’t mind spending money on a car/fuel.

Get A Working Holiday Visa

If you are planning to backpack Australia for an extended period of time, you may want to consider getting a working holiday visa. This type of visa allows you to work in Australia for up to one year, which can help you offset the cost of your trip.

Usually, you can also apply for a second year if you wish to stay longer.

Eat Cheaply

Eating out can be one of the biggest expenses when traveling, but there are plenty of ways to save money on food costs. Eating at fast food restaurants or cooking your own meals can help you save a lot of money.

Additionally, many hostels offer kitchen facilities where you can prepare your own meals.

You can think of getting the basics, which are usually more affordable. Think of bread, oat, eggs, etc. 

Find Free Attractions

There are many free attractions in Australia that can help you save money on your trip. Many of the country’s national parks offer free admission, and there are often free events and activities taking place in major cities.

If you love the outdoors, you can hike, walk around, swim, or surf for free, or at a minimal cost. In my opinion, the best parts of Australia are nature-related. So you should be able to enjoy yourself without spending too much on tours.

Many museums also offer discounted or free admission for students and seniors.

Camp In Free Camping Spots

One of the best ways to save money when backpacking Australia is by camping in free camping spots . There are many areas around the country where you can camp for free, and this can help you save a lot of money on accommodation costs.

Additionally, camping is a great way to experience the unique Australian wilderness.

Find A Backpacker Job With Accommodation Included

Many jobs in the outback or in remote locations can provide free accommodation or rent at a low cost. You could also volunteer your time in exchange for accommodation .

You can usually find these opportunities on websites like Worldpackers .

Examples Of Cost Of Living In Australia

During my travels in Australia, I worked in different locations and the cost of living was changing from one spot to another. For example, if you stay in the countryside, you won’t be spending as much money as you would in a big city like Sydney.

Below, you’ll find examples of the cost of living in Australia, but note that these examples are from 2014-2015. The cost of living is probably higher now.

Working And Living In Bundaberg

• Occupation: worker in a tomato packing shed
• Accommodation: $125 / week, a shared room in a shared house

Working And Living In Sydney

• Occupation: Fundraiser
• Accommodation: $ 150 / week, a shared room in a shared apartment

Working And Living In Williams

• Occupation: Employee in a roadhouse
• Accommodation: $ 90 / week in a caravan, with kitchen and bathroom available in a shared house

Working And Living In Muckatah

• Occupation: Dairy farmer
• Accommodation: $100 / week, private room in a shared house

Working And Living In Millaa Millaa

• Accommodation: $250 / week (divided by 2), renting a nice little house

Now, these examples are just from my personal experience. The cost of living in Australia obviously depends on the lifestyle you want to lead and where you want to live.

PSSST. Want to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work?

If you’re looking for more affordable accommodation, you might want to try looking in smaller towns or the countryside. And if you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious, then the big cities will be your best bet.

Obviously, the longer you stay in Australia, the cheaper it will be if you get long-term accommodation.

Final Thoughts On Traveling Australia On A Budget

Australia is a vast and beautiful country with so much to offer travelers on a tight budget. Following our tips, you can travel Australia on a shoestring and still have an adventure of a lifetime.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip down under today!

Heading to Australia soon? Read the following guides:

• How to get a backpacker job in Australia
• Living on a farm in Australia
• Cheap things to do in Sydney

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Budget Tours & Trips to Australia

Sleep under the starry Outback skies in a swag, embark on the adventure of a lifetime on the Larapinta Trail, or camp with kangaroos just outside your tent. An Australian budget vacation promises memorable adventures for some of the lowest prices on the market. Take a look at our best Australian travel deals fit for the whole family!

132 Budget Australia tour packages with 2,534 reviews

I had a wonderful time in Australia. Such a wonderful group I was with. I meet peopleI will know for the rest of my life. Thanks again cause I truly enjoyed my self. The people, the activities and the country as a whole. Thanks tourradar

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

Noddy was a wonderful guide and the tour was amazing. Only thing that could be improved is the transportation from airlie beach to cairns as it was during the day and we missed out on a full day of the tour.

Most of the Coast: Sydney to Cairns

A truly unforgettable experience! Seeing some of the worlds most beautiful places in the company of amazing people. I thoroughly recommend anyone considering this to just do it.

• Hiking & Trekking

Famous 5 - 5 day Tour of Tasmania

Great tour. Lots of spectacular scenery, saw lots of animals including Wombats and Platypus. Our tour guide Justzen was AWESOME, friendly, knowledgeable, kind, very helpful and kept us amused with some funny remarks and jokes. Only criticism is that the bus was quite cramped with little leg room.

• €65 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Coach / Bus

7 Day Perth to Exmouth Explorer Loop

I had an unforgettable time with an amazing group. Our tour guid Geoff was very knowledgeable, helpful and always full of energy. I don’t know how he does it

Explorer Six - 6 Day Tour of Tasmania

Tour guide Doc (Shaun) was excellent. His communication and driving skills were extremely good. Accommodation was not good. When organising the tour there was no coordination as a result we did Not get what we asked for. We were told we will have a private bathroom, but we were put in a hostel with common bathrooms. The bedroom in the hostel was very small and the bunk beds were not good enough for two ladies who are 79 and 75 years old. We were told that the tour group ages were from 18 to 80, but somethings were not good enough for older ladies.

Oz Intro + Work

Had an amazing time with intro travel. They were so friendly, organised and helpful- especially with onward travel plans. Would definitely recommend.

6 Day Perth to Exmouth Coral Coaster (One Way)

The tour was good, Carla was very helpful and organised with all the spots, walks, breaks. The accomodation was very disappointing, First day booking communication was very confusing almost stayed in a room with no electricity and hot water. We also needed to share bathroom for a few days, the coral bay accomodation was different from the itinerary, no ensuite but a only public bathroom with the whole building. tried to contact Autopia but no response so far on that email for an explanation after many days. The total cost for accomodation (upgraded) is less than $500 based on the market price on the hotel websites but we paid $800 in total, not to say there should’ve been about $30 per day budget covered in the basic price.

• Coastal Walks

6-Day Esperance & Margaret River Adventure Tour

Our tour was the first AC (after Covid ????) and followed a different, apparently untested direction than described 2 years earlier. Unfortunately, the whole planning did not fit. Although the start on the first day was moved forward half an hour at short notice, we saw almost nothing of Margaret River. The wine tasting still worked, the rest fell away and could not be made up for the next day, because there was no time. Fortunately we were only seven guests, with a full bus it would have been a disaster. On the other hand, at the other end of the tour in Lucky Beach (completely overrated - we saw much, much nicer beaches on the way) one night would have been enough. Please urgently revise. Swag camping is unfortunately not my thing. I'm fat and in my sleeping bag in swag I couldn't move a bit, which led to a panic attack. With a night temperature of 3°C, I couldn't just leave the zippers open either. From the 2nd night we slept in the tent, which was much better, but I would not like to experience these tents in bad weather, please. Besides, it's no fun to set up an unfamiliar tent in the pitch dark. The tour itself is spectacular, the landscape incredible. It would have been nice if you could have gone out together in the evening, but there was unfortunately nowhere an opportunity.

UltimateOz - Gap Year | ULTIMATE

What's great about Ultimate is they support you throughout your whole year in Australia, with jobs, advice (for stuff like 2nd year visas etc), mail service and most importantly travels!! The staff all seem very well travelled in Australia so they know what they're talking about :) Shout out to Aline who spoke to me in my first week in Australia and remembered me over a year later!

• €35 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Mountain Hikes

Trek the Cradle Mountain Overland Track

Great trip! Loved the experience and all topped off by the wonderful food with options for all. Nothing was too much trouble for Stan, Sam and Senna

8-Day Adelaide to Uluru Tour

This tour is absolutely amazing. Our tour guide, Dan, was incredible. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I loved being able to camp in the outback and see such unique places in Australia. I met so many wonderful young people from all over the world. This tour was truly my favorite thing I did on my trip. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to see these locations and do not want to do the long drives by themselves.

Kakadu, Arnhem Land, Katherine & Litchfield Adventure

The tour is very well planned. I love the knowledge and experience of our guide Rick. He was very patient, kind and polite with every body. The places that we visited were amazing 4 national parks, heaps of places for swimming, a lot of culture and learning. This is a must.

The BIG 3 Tasmania - Launceston to Hobart

The tour was well organized

Perth to Exmouth & Return

The tour was all in all amazing. I would have loved to stay at a few stops a bit longer then 20 minutes, but I definitely recommend this tour!

What people love about Budget Tours in Australia

Amazing time, had an absolute blast! I will 100% be doing another tour. Val was a great tour guide, and helped me with every question I had.

The trip was great. However, I didn’t like the hostel in Airlie Beach. It was the worst one in this trip. Overall was great

Really good trip with value for your money. We saw a lot of Australia in such a short time, given how massive Australia really is. Our guide, Tamar, was an absolute sweetheart, knowledgeable, well travelled and very professional. This tour has the right balance of group activities and independent activities if you choose to do so. My only complaint is that some of the accommodations were subpar, which was disappointing given the high cost of this trip.

More Budget Tours in Australia

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• Budget Camping tours (14)
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• Australia Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
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What Is The Cheapest Way To Travel Australia?

This post should not be taken as financial, legal, taxation or migration advice. Consult a registered professional . Oh, Nomad! accepts no liability or responsibility to any person for actions taken as a consequence of this information, which is correct at the time of writing. We earn commission from trusted affiliates on selected purchases you make via ohnomad.com (at no cost to you). Prices are in AUD unless indicated and may exclude 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST)

What is the cheapest way to travel Australia? I spent a year down under for only $5000… and I’ll show you how to travel Australia cheaply while having fun. See the popular East Coast of Australia to the budget cities in the South with little to no money … or as we say here “cheap as chips, mate”. Let’s go!

What Is The Cheapest Way To Travel To Australia?

Your cheapest option will depend on where you are departing from and when . Because the continent is so far from most other major cities, flying will probably be the cheapest way to travel to Australia.

How To Save Money Flying To Australia

• Low Season / Winter (June to August) is the cheapest time to fly to Australia, followed by the Shoulder Seasons of Autumn (March-May) and Spring (September-November).
• Sign up for the airline email newsletters in Australia: QANTAS , JetStar and Virgin Blue for sales/discounts, as well as the budget carriers in your departure country.
• Book in advance. Fares booked 6+ months in advance are significantly cheaper.
• Direct flights are the most expensive, so book journeys with 1 or 2 stopovers to save money.

How To Travel To Australia Cheaply By Sea

A less common way to travel to Australia is via sea – by cruise ship, freighter or sailboat. This isn’t a fast way to travel but is a scenic and budget alternative from some departure destinations.

Cheap Cruise Travel To Australia

Cruise travel booked in Low Season can be the source of bargains, as well as using Cruise Critic , a comparison website. Search for Repositioning Cruises , one-way trips where cruise ships are moved in the off-season.

Cheap Freight Travel To Australia

Some cargo and freight ships offer passenger travel to Australia for those who are happy to ride alongside containers in basic accommodation. The pandemic affected this travel option greatly, so you’ll need to research companies still operating, but I’ve read many stories of adventurous travellers speaking highly of it.

Cheap Sailboat Travel To Australia

Hiring a sailboat to travel to Australia is expensive and for experienced sailors only. Costs and duration vary widely but expect to spend $1000 AUD or more per day. Experienced sailors can work or volunteer to be part of a sailing crew. Aussie & Kiwi Yacht Crew list crewing opportunities. Join as many online groups/forums as you can and ask around. You may need to be flexible with your dates and departure location.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Travel Around Australia?

Australia, at 7.688 million km², is BIG (it’s the world’s sixth-largest country). You will, therefore, spend a bit of time using transport down under. After accommodation, this will be a major expense, so it helps to plan ahead.

Cheap Car Travel Around Australia

During my A$5000 Year Around Australia – purchasing a small second-hand car which I sold at the end of my trip – was the cheapest way to travel around Australia; for me. There are a number of associated risks (and costs) involved with this, so it is cheapest for longer trips only. Read this post for a breakdown of all of my costs and tips for saving money when buying a used vehicle in Australia.

If you want to drive for a short period, you’ll likely want to hire a car. Depending on the vehicle and how far you want to go, prices are ≈$50-$100 AUD/day . The highest prices occur around the Christmas/New Year period. Compare prices on Economy Bookings to find the best deal.

Cheap Air Travel Around Australia

To move around Australia, flights will be the quickest option but are rarely the cheapest. Distances between cities are vast, so occasionally a sale airfare is equivalent (or sometimes less) than by road – especially if you need to stop and include accommodation costs – but flights in Australia can be expensive.

There are four domestic carriers – Qantas ,  Virgin Australia , Jetstar , and Rex – who cover the major cities and regional centres, most with multiple daily services. A new carrier, Bonza , launched in 2023 to offer discount fares to and from the smaller regional cities and towns.

Many of the same tips for saving money when flying to Australia apply to flying in Australia : book in Low Season and sign up for information on sale fares well in advance. Budget fares (like the ones above) are usually for the early and late flights of the day, with carry-on (<7kg baggage) only. Additional costs add up quickly, especially baggage, so for the cheapest flights in Australia – travel light.

Cheap Bus Travel Around Australia

Major Interstate Bus Companies include Greyhound Australia , Firefly (VIC), Premier Motor Service , Integrity Coaches (WA) and V/Line (VIC).

Firefly has services between Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Premier Motor Service travels along the East Coast from Eden (Southern NSW) to Sydney, Sydney to Brisbane and Brisbane to Cairns. Greyhound covers the greatest distance, with a 90-day Greyhound Bus pass for A$665 or a 120-day pass for A$789 valid for the entire Greyhound bus network .

There are over 2000 local bus companies in the country, many of which only cover a small geographic region (like the Northern Rivers of NSW, for example), so if leave the major tourist centres, you may need a local bus.

Intercity Transport

Sydney – Opal Card (trains, trams, buses and ferries); Melbourne – myki (trains, trams and buses); Brisbane – Translink Go Card (trains, trams, buses and ferries); Adelaide – Metro Card (trains, trams and buses); Perth – SmartRider (trains, trams and buses); Hobart – Metro Greencard (buses); Darwin – Tap & Ride Card (buses); Canberra – MyWay (buses).

Cheap Train Travel Around Australia

There are more than 23 interstate train journeys , with trains offering a slow but scenic alternative to flying. Due to how long the journeys take, you can often book a ‘sleeper’ ticket that includes a bed in a small room on the train. Visit Australian Rail Maps for timetable and routes. Some of the most popular routes include:

The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin) and Indian Pacific (Sydney to Perth) train services are tourist ‘experiences’ that cost from ≈A$2000-8000 and are booked out well in advance.

Interstate Train Passes

NSW : A Discovery Pass gives you “ unlimited travel to 365+ destinations across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT ” (on any Transport NSW regional train or coach, excluding suburban services) for between 14 days (A$232) and 6 months (A$420-$550).

QLD : A QLD Explorer Pass “ offers unlimited travel for one or two months across the Queensland Rail Travel network ” for 30 days (A$299) or 60 days (A$389).

Other Cheap Travel Around Australia

Apps like Uber call themselves ‘ride-sharing’ but there aren’t many organised ways to find others to share the cost of a car ride or hire. You can try CoSeats , ShareYourRide , Facebook Groups or by asking other travellers. Rider Apps in Australia include Uber , Ola , Didi and Shebah (female-only drivers and passengers).

Hitchhiking

After some very famous murders in the 1990s (where a number of backpackers were slain by a serial killer while hitchhiking), fear around this is ingrained in the Australian psyche and you might get some well-meaning lectures about your safety along the way. Growing up with this, I’ve never hitchhiked here. Please be safe and do not ‘thumb a lift’ alone; especially if you are a woman – but you might find hitchwiki helpful.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Travel Australia’s East Coast?

For trips <30 days, the cheapest way to travel Australia’s East Coast is via bus .

A Greyhound East Coast Whimmit pass, with unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel between Melbourne and Cairns costs between A$265-$415. As I’ve mentioned, you can purchase a 90-day pass for A$665 or a 120-day pass for A$789 which is valid for the entire Greyhound bus network. Premier Motor Service offer a Sydney – Cairns pass for A$230 (30-day) and A$330 ( 90-day ), plus a few shorter services too.

How To Travel Around Australia Cheap: My Top Tips

Cheap travel around Australia is within your grasp. Here are my top tips for success:

• Flying is usually the cheapest way to travel to Australia. Find specials from carriers like Qantas ,  Virgin Australia , Jetstar , and Rex – who cover the major cities and regional centres. A new carrier, Bonza , launched in 2023.
• Flying is often cheapest in Low Season (winter in Australia);
• Join a yacht crew;
• Volunteer, share and give;
• Smile when asking for a discount;
• East Coast bus travel is inexpensive but lengthy. Australia is very big!
• Buy a hop-on, hop-off bus pass – the cheapest way to travel around Australia (in my opinion) – flexibility vs cost.
• Buy a used car for longer trips with maximum flexibility – or hire a car;
• Train travel (public) is inexpensive and ‘sleeper’ night trains can be cheap accommodation, especially the regular Melbourne > Canberra > Sydney > service.

You can travel around Australia very cheaply with the right choice of transport. Will you buy or hire a car? Buy a bus pass? Travel by train to see the East Coast of Australia? With these tips, you’ll travel down under – cheaply on the best transport option for you – but without sacrificing any of the fun!

Mega-Guide to Australia for Digital Nomads . Complete Guide to 50+ Digital Nomad Visas. Want digital nomad support? Get in touch.

Kate is a teacher, writer and CEOh of ohnomad.com and teachenglishonline.com.au. After travelling for years, she became a digital nomad/house sitter in 2019. Offline, she’s patting every dog at the park. Online: Twitter / LinkedIn .

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How To Travel to Australia on a Budget

Michela Australia Travel Planning 8

Travelling in Australia travel doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune on your trip. Despite the high cost of living (Australia scores no. 6 of the most expensive countries globally), there are many ways to reduce expenses and travel on a budget is possible. If you follow a simple step-by-step plan, choose cost-effective ways of getting around and stay in budget-friendly accommodation, you can save a lot of money and travel to Australia for 100 dollars a day .

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I know it’s easy to make mistakes and choose the wrong things if you don’t research first. I have been travelling around Australia for +14 as a solo traveller. When you go alone, you are bound to spend more, so I’ve learned many things to cut down on travel’s overall cost over the years.

I wrote a list of dos and don’ts in Australia that will help you avoid many common pitfalls that first time-travellers experience. It will also help you create a realistic budget for travelling to Australia .

How much does it cost to travel to Australia?

I often hear, “ I cannot afford to travel to Australia because it’s too expensive”. It is commonplace and not real. That Australia is an expensive country to live and visit is a fact, but I can tell you that in some respects travel in Australia is as pricey as in Europe.

However, there are a few things that have an impact when budgeting for your Australia Trip. For instance, if you can choose when you travel and are flexible with dates, you can keep travel expenses low and grab the best travel deals. Visiting in the low season means saving money.

In +15 years of solo travels in Australia , I had experienced the country in many different ways, from the lowest budget travel in 2004 when I spent around 4 thousand Euro for 10 weeks to the highest cost of the trip in 2013 when the Australian dollar reached the highest exchange rate, that made my travel expenses 30-40% more expensive with over 7,5 thousand Euro for 10 weeks.

Despite the Australian dollar fluctuation, I have learnt what works and what doesn’t. I have realised that you cannot travel to Australia without a well-thought-out travel plan because if you do, it will quickly drain your budget over time.

Things to know when planning a Budget Trip to Australia

Here is a list of my best travel tips for travelling to Australia on a budget that will help you create the travel plan for Australia that works well for you.

How to save money on your Australia Trip

It all starts with proper travel planning. I cannot stop emphasising the importance of having a good plan, which is crucial for a successful trip. It is not only for” making the most of your time” , but first and foremost regarding saving money on all those things that suck.

With proper planning, you can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on your Australian Holidays.

• Australia is a remote country not for last-minute decisions Basically, every trip to Australia means flying from another part of the world. Finding a cheap flight to Australia should be the primary goal of every savvy traveller. While Skyscanner and Google.com/flights/ are great planning tools for finding cheap flights, you can use the incognito version on your browser to avoid higher flight rates linked to a browser with a disclosed location. Check out this page with tips for finding a cheap flight to Australia .
• Make sure you know the best time of the year to travel to Australia I have been travelling throughout the year. March to May and Sept to November are the best months for visiting Australia. These months are in the off-season, which means there are no crowds with warm weather, and it’s cheaper than in another period of the year. Travel to Australia off-season will save at least 20-30% on the airfare and all main travelling expenses. Read this post on the best time to travel Australia
• Travel distances have an impact on your Australia Trip Often distances are underestimated for obvious reasons. It’s not easy to evaluate how much time it takes to get from A to B regarding times, effort and money. That’s why I have written a guidebook with a full section about it. You can read more about the importance of knowing driving distances and rules in Australia in this post.And why and how you should break down your trip into segments to best suit your needs. I prefer going on short road trips in Australia and consider flying for distances over 1000 km. Hire a car or a camper van for a longer time and travel in a loop back to your starting point. By doing so, you avoid paying an additional fee for dropping off your car at a different location. Tip: If you only have two weeks, stick to one area of Australia only. Build your itinerary around two main Australian cities and explore places in that area.
• Plan and Book early all your domestic flights. If you book early, you can fly for less than a hundred dollars from Sydney to Melbourne and most cities. If you miss out on the flight deals and wait till the very last minute, you may end up paying three to four times the regular flight price.Jetstar is one of the best Australian airlines that offers excellent value discounted flights every week. Sign up for the Friday Frenzy and get email alerts with the best deals. Domestic flight deals in Australia are available 3-4 months ahead, so plan your research accordingly.

Tips for saving money on accommodation in Austalia

After the initial cost of going to Australia and getting around, the significant expense is accommodation. But where do you stay on the cheap in Australia? Forget hotels. They are way too expensive, especially if you plan a more extended trip. The average hotel’s rates are between 160 to 250 per night for a double room in a three to four-star hotel. Bed and breakfast rooms cost around 120 to 150 AUD, and the cheapest way is to stay in Australian Hostels .

YHA hostels are, in my opinion, the best hostels I have ever stayed in. You can book private rooms from 60 to 70 AUD with shared bathroom to 80 to 100 AUD with private bath. Shared dorms are available from 20 to 30 dollars.

Private accommodation in Australia is reasonable and is the most valuable option I would consider if you travel alone and like to stay in a real home with the locals. The rates vary a lot depending on the location, the type of house or apartment and the facilities offered.

On average, the cost is close to a private room in a hostel, but you can find places for 200-250 dollars a night if these are beachfront locations and villas with pool and more amenities.

The best way to stay privately is to use Airbnb , which is good for short to long-term travel around Australia .

What type of budget Accommodation in Australia

To recap, here are some great tips on choosing budget-friendly accommodation in Australia:

• Save on lodging by staying in hostels The YHA hostels are what I recommend, good value with excellent facilities, offering double rooms for less than 100 AUD per night. Here are my picks for the best YHA hostels in Australia .
• Stay privately with Airbnb You can use this link and get 40 AUD off your first booking. In Australia, you will find heaps of great locations for 70-100 AUD per night, and the benefits of staying with the locals are unmatched.
• Travelling long-term in Australia If you plan to go to Australia and stay long-term, I will try house sitting as it is the cheapest accommodation. I have done this several times. In this post, you can get my tips for finding a good house sit in Australia .

How to save money on long-term travel in Australia

• Camping in Australia maybe not your thing, however being Australia a top destination for camping, you could try it out. You are better off hiring a car and staying in cabins or built-in tents for short road trips. I would recommend hiring a camper van for long-term travel only and using the Wikicamps app to locate the best-suited campsites.There are many basic campsites for a small fee, and some are free. An excellent chain for camping lovers is the BIG 4 campsites.
• Eating out in Australia doesn’t have to be expensive . In cities like Melbourne and Sydney, there are food halls and street markets where you can eat for 10-15 Dollars. I would recommend the RSL clubs or Bowling Clubs in rural areas, and they have good meals at reasonable prices. I have written a post about the best places where to eat in Australia on a budget .
• Internet and Mobile phone in Australia is costly ! For the Internet, I would recommend the 4G Wi-fi von Telstra. Plans start from 30 Dollars/3 GB for one month, and the 50 Dollars gives you 5 GB to use over unlimited time. Make use of the free wi-fi in cities. Melbourne State Library has the best wi-fi in Australia, but you can use free wi-fi everywhere in public places.Telstra offers the best coverage, but it is the most expensive for mobile plans too. Lebara is another excellent option if you want to use it for international calls also, for 2-3 cent/min, you can phone nearly everywhere in the world. Check out this page for more info on the best travel apps for Australia .
• Want help to create your own Australia Itinerary Without the hassle of wading through tons of information on the internet? I have created a compact guidebook that will help throughout the entire process. It gives you an in-depth knowledge of evaluating, choosing and balancing out a time frame with places to visit. You can also get a free chapter and get an overview of what you get with the guidebook.

Saving money tips for day-to-day expenses in Australia

Australian supermarkets.

There are three main Australian Supermarkets chains: Woolworths, Coles and IGA. They are all over the country; however, there are only local grocery stores in remote outback areas. I mostly shop at Woolworths because of their organic food label, Macro Wholefoods .

Discount supermarkets are becoming more popular in Australia, like the German discount supermarket Aldi; I was happy to discover it in Melbourne a few years ago when I picked up a rental car close to Franklin Street, the ideal place for shopping before setting off on a road trip to the Great Ocean Road. Aldi Stores are located mostly in cities, but more stores will open throughout the country.

On this page, you find the Aldi Store locator  with new openings. Local fruits and vegetable markets are useful if you want to cook and buy fresh local produce. In cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, there are daily fruit and veggie markets where you can shop at reasonable prices and get the best local produce.

The Cost of Food in Australia and how to spend less on meals

You will be stunned to see the prices of bottled water in Oz. The cost of a bottle of water in food stores or supermarkets is 3,5 dollars for 1,5 litre. If you consider that you will be drinking an average of 1-3 bottle/day, it comes to 150-200 dollars/month, which is insane. To save on bottled water, buy the home brands from Coles and Woolworths for less than 1 dollar per bottle. Aldi offers reasonable prices for bottled water too.

Plastic water tanks from 2-10 litres of water are also available from supermarkets, and it’s the best way to save money on water when you go on road trips. As soon as you travel out of cities, prices get higher, so get all your shopping done in the city. Tap water is okay if it’s filtered, and you can refill your bottles. In some hotels/hostels, they offer free filtered drinking water, which is the best way of keeping the cost of water low.

Dairy products in Australia

Cheese and all milk products are expensive in Australia. You will not find anything below 8-10 dollars for a small piece of cheese. A scoop of ice cream costs 5 dollars, which is ridiculously high.

How expensive is it to eat and drink in Australia eating?

While a meal in a restaurant will cost around 40-70 dollars, you can eat with 10-25 dollars in shopping food malls from various freshly cooked food stalls. Eating at local food markets is of good value. Coffee and cake, the average is 8-10 dollars, but I once paid 14 dollars in Perth! Drinks in Australia are costly. For a pint of beer, 6-8 dollars, the same for wine, 8-10 dollars if you consider that beer and wine are local produce, they are overpriced.

Electronics and non-food products

As most electronics brands are from Asia, Europe or the US, everything is exorbitantly expensive. So, as a rule, don’t buy electronics, and if you need a spare part of your camera, computer, or any electronic gear, buy an Australian brand that is less expensive. I once needed a memory card for my camera in the Outback. I spent 37 dollars on one memory card.

Where to shop for cheap Travel Gear in Australia

For toiletries and all you may need on your travels, try BIG W is an Australian chain of retail shops with a wide choice of non-food items at a lower price. Dollar Sense is another chain of discount stores where you can buy everything you need on the go for low prices. You can also check out websites for coupon codes and get free coupons which entitle you to discounts on products and services.

Conclusion on how to travel on a budget in Australia

Visiting Australia on a budget is possible. Once you know all the critical elements for researching, planning and choosing cost-effective ways of getting around the country, you are halfway on the right path. Then it’s up to you how and where you want to save money.

You may want to save money on transportation and accommodation and use those savings on tours and activities or the other way round. I hope this guide has shown you the best ways on how to travel to Australia cheaply.

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Related Posts:

A Guide To Planning Your Australia Trip

Solo Travel Australia

When Is the Best Time To Travel To Australia

A Guide To Travelling Australia

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First published in 2016, last updated in March 2024

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Suzanne February 1, 2016 @ 2:33 am

Love this tips! I’ve traveled to Australia from the U.S. a few times now and it does take a bit of planning. Unfortunately many travel agents prefer to stick folks on a “tour” which makes it so much more expensive. I prefer to go independently and like you said be aware of distances and focus on close areas (my last visit was Melbourne-Sydney-Hobart). The wifi is key also as even with a Starbucks purchases it was limited to twenty minutes! Cheers!

Rocky Travel February 1, 2016 @ 3:41 pm

Hello Suzanne, great to hear these tips on how to travel on a budget in Australia were useful. Tours in Australia can be good when it’s challenging to see a destination on your own, like remote Outback areas or places where you need special driving skills to get around. Otherwise I believe you can tour Australia on your own everywhere, it does require a bit of work beforehand, like accurate travelling planning help! For free unlimited wi-fi check out Mc Cafe from McDonalds which is great and also most public libraries in Australia offer free wifi. 🙂

Charles McCool March 10, 2016 @ 2:11 pm

Lovely article. I hope to spend an extended amount of time in Australia this year or next and love articles like this. Thank you.

Jade April 14, 2016 @ 3:02 am

We’re planning on moving to Australia next year to work – we have been concerned about the cost though! It’s great to known that there are some cheaper ways to live!

Rocky Travel April 14, 2016 @ 11:08 am

Hi Jade, great to hear about your travel and work plans. While Australia is an expensive country there are truly many ways to lower the cost of living in Oz. Best of luck with your move to Ausralia! 🙂

David Fendavis December 13, 2018 @ 1:05 pm

This is really eye opening for people traveling to Australia. Thanks to the author for sharing this. It is a very informative blog indeed. When I stayed in UK for several years; blogs like these really helped in knowing the reality of a place. It helped me in making my budget and planning for travel. Similarly; this content will also help people in making plans before traveling to Australia. I now help people with their immigration needs such as Visas, PR etc. Tropical Immigration is my business based in Sydney and I would be glad in helping. Thanks again to the author for sharing this.

Jan Stone August 29, 2019 @ 11:56 pm

Why pay for drinking water? If you are travelling in a vehicle, buy a 5 litre and a 10 litre container and fill it up at caravan parks. You can also fill your small drinking bottle in most places in Australia. In some remote areas the water is not drinkable and there will be a sign to warn you. Recently in remote Western Australia we stayed at a national park which clearly stated do not drink the water without boiling first. We still used it for washing our dishes and even cleaning our teeth without a problem. Most major cities and country towns in Australia have safe drinking water,unless otherwise stated. Don’t pay for iit!

Greg January 8, 2022 @ 11:38 am

Through many ways, such things can be explained, and it is one of them. People find it difficult to get in touch with an agent in this location. Here are some ways which can help in this matter. This does require a long thought process

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How Do You to Find Cheap Accommodation in Australia?

Saving on accommodation in Australia is no easy task, unless you know what to do and where to look.

During our 18 month road trip around Australia , we were constantly on the look out for ways to save money on accommodation because Australia is an expensive country to travel, though one worth exploring!

If you’re thinking you’d like to find cheap accommodation in Australia and stick to a modest budget, then in this guide I’ve listed some of my top tips for finding budget places to stay in Australia.

Tips for Saving Money on Accommodation in Australia

There are many ways you can save on travel costs, but at the end of the day, accommodation. is going to be your number one expense.

Below are eleven ways we’ve saved money on accommodation costs on our Australian road trip .

1. Stay Mid-Week

If you can time your visit right by staying mid-week, you can really save some cash. Especially avoid the big cities over a weekend if possible.

We’re stunned by how much the prices for a comfortable bed can rise on the weekend – some places triple.

Because we’re on an indefinite road trip around Oz, we constantly see the fluctuations in prices from mid-week to weekends.

We stayed in a cabin in Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road mid-week and grabbed this deal – pay for 3 nights, stay for 4.

And we’ve seen better prices mid-week for all accommodation types from hotels to apartments to caravan parks.

If you have to visit a city over a weekend see tip number 8 for our best online booking sites, or consider staying in a backpacker hostel.

We stay in family rooms at YHA Hostels . If you have a group of 4 consider staying in a 4-bed dorm to cut down your expense.

2. Negotiate for a Better Deal

One of our favourite ways to save on anything! There’s nothing wrong with a little conversation to help you get a better deal.

Competition is pretty fierce in the travel industry as people are finding smarter ways to travel for cheaper and longer. Put your smiley face on and either call the property in advance, or speak in person once you arrive. They can only say no right?!

Here are a few ways to ask for a cheaper or better deal:

• Is that the best price you have at the moment?
• What if we stay longer?
• Are you able to waive the fee for children? (Many of the campsites in Australia charge per child. We’ve negotiated it off several times)
• Does breakfast come with that? Are you able to include it?
• Is there any chance for an upgrade?
• I did notice XYZ property down the road is advertising $X can you match that? I’d much prefer to stay here, but I have to keep to my budget.

You might even negotiate a better deal by giving up some of their services.

We once had an entire night for free in Wilsons Promontory National Park as there was a mix up with another booking and our cabin had not been cleaned.

We told them not to worry, we’d clean it ourselves (we were desperate to stay here and there were no other options AND it was pretty clean).

3. Rent an Apartment or Home

Another one of our favourite strategies, particularly for families or small groups, is to look for vacation rentals.

Apartments , or home rentals, are a great way to save on accommodation costs. They are usually cheaper and more practical than a hotel, or even a caravan park cabin. And sometimes even cheaper than a private room in a hostel.

Traveling with other family members or another couple? Why not get an apartment big enough and share the cost.

Craig’s parents visited us during our trip in Tasmania and several times we rented either an apartment, or a cabin with 3 bedrooms. Sharing the apartment really reduced our per-night rates.

We prefer to use Booking.com to look for apartments. They are not just about hotels, they have a large inventory of apartments around the world and there are no hidden fees, service fees, or cleaning fees like you get with Airbnb. WE also use VRBO before using Airbnb.

You can also book directly with holiday apartments – just do a Google search in the area you are visiting beforehand.

See more about our 3 bedroom home in Coles Bay from the photos above here.

4. Go Camping

One would think camping is a cheap option in Australia – the answer is yes and no (just don’t compare it to other countries).

The average price for camping is about $35 per night, but this can rise to as high as $80 depending on where and when you camp, how many people per site, and if you want a powered or un-powered site.

Camping in holiday parks is also going to considerably up the price as they come with facilities in the public areas such as an indoor pool or outdoor swimming pool and free wifi.

For families, they will charge you per child, and we have even been charged $12 per night for Savannah when she was 2 years old – which got up my goat and was able to negotiate away!

Again, staying mid-week versus weekends will save you, as will avoiding major holiday periods.

We look for the right deals and we use our negotiation tactics to at least remove the fees for the kids. One good thing about now having a camper trailer (see tip number 7) is we are self-sufficient so can utilize the many free camping sites in Australia.

Camping websites Australia:

• ExploreAustralia.net.au – discover free camping in National parks
• Big4 Caravan Parks – sign up for their membership to get better rates
• Top Tourist Caravan Parks – sign up for their membership to get better rates)
• Look at the State Tourism Board websites
• Google search the National Parks sites for each state.

5. House-sit

We haven’t used the housesitting strategy yet via an official membership site, although we did sign up for a few at the start of our trip.

To be honest, we’ve found these a little frustrating and expensive, and the competition and flexibility required difficult to land a house-sitting job. Many of the house-sits were in outer areas, and we didn’t want to visit these locations for the sake of house-siting.

You also need time to organize it, or be super flexible to move on a whim. With kids and an online travel business , and a country the size of Australia, it’s too difficult for us to commit to apply for that awesome house-sitting job in Perth in 4 months, or last minute.

In saying that, if you are very flexible on your locations, are retired or semi-retired, work a digital business, or are on a working holiday I totally get the value this can provide.

However, we have been very fortunate to be able to house-sit a few times on this trip for friends in some great locations like Melbourne and Bright .

Relationships can really pay off and we hope to return the favour one day!

6. Couch-Surf

We have not used the official Couchsurfing website where you can stay in a stranger’s home (which we’ve been told by others is a great way to travel like a local), but we have been fortunate to be able to stay at several friend’s homes in various states.

And we don’t usually end up on their couch either, but a spare room which is always appreciated.

The bonus of this is you get to have a night of great conversation with friends and re-connect with people you may not have seen for a while.

Read: how to be the perfect house guest

7. Buy a Camper Trailer (or Caravan)

Because we were on an 18-month road trip around Australia , we purchased a camper trailer. You can find out why here .

Although the initial investment is large, over time it drastically reduces our per-night cost of our accommodation. Plus, it has a kitchen which reduces our eating out expenses.

We purchased a brand that has a high re-sale value , so if we desire at the end of our trip we can sell it and recoup the majority, if not more of our purchase price.

Apparently, if you sell up in North Queensland , or over in Western Australia you can actually make money or at least get most back (most of the inventory is down south so people are willing to pay more up north).

Also, we have solar panels on top of our camper so we can free camp in National Parks – and there are many beautiful spots in Australia for this. We can also stay in un-powered sites in caravan parks instead of powered which again reduces our per-night cost.

For free and cheap camping options purchase the orange covered Camping Around Australia book found in all camping and book stores.

Or visit their website ExploreAustralia.net.au

If you are on an extended trip around Australia, or on a working holiday in Australia , buying or renting a vehicle that you can sleep in, then re-sell at the end of your trip is a great way to reduce your accommodations expenses + give you unparallelled freedom to explore!

What if you just want to rent a campervan / motorhome? Some rental sites for booking include:

• Travellers-Autobarn

Read More: How to travel around Australia – caravan or camper trailer?

8. Choose the Best Hotel Booking Sites

When we need to stay in a hotel in the city, or a hotel anywhere for that matter, we have a few favourite booking sites we use to find the best deal.

And once we have found our best deal using the sites below, we also call the particular hotel directly as sometimes you can get a better price by going direct.

Our favourite booking sites:

• Booking.com – thousands of properties, easy to search.
• Trip Advisor – millions of reviews, easy to navigate.

There are other booking sites out there, but many of them come with additional fees and taxes when it comes to paying for a place at the check out.

Booking.com doesn’t have this which is why we always choose them when we look for places ourselves.

9. Look for Partnerships: Exchange Accommodation for Exposure

Through building our business and our travel blog, and by the nature of our work, we are proud of our partnerships with YHA Hostels and Mantra Apartments in Australia. 

Even before we had these official partnerships we always stayed at YHA Hostels and at Mantra because they offer great value.

YHA hostels are the best for families in Australia and we trust them and have not had a bad experience yet. And we adore Mantra properties – they are our favourite chain in Australia.

You don’t need to have a travel blog to find partnership opportunities, nor do you need a sizeable social media following.

Because we live in the days of influencers and Instagrammers, many accommodations will offer discounts to anyone who shares a review or post on their social media.

You could have 500 followers, and still be offered 10% off in some places – just look out for these offers online when looking up accommodation choices.

10. Look for work aways or work exchanges

Just because you don’t have a travel blog, or work in the industry, does not mean you cannot get free accommodation or cheap accommodation in Australia by exchanging skillsets.

I’ve seen plenty of signs in the YHA’s advertising for accommodation in exchange for work. There are also companies such as WorkAway, WOOFING and HelpX where you can find opportunities to work in a hostel or hotel in exchange for free accommodation.

There are also Facebook groups where you can find work away jobs in particular countries and cities.

I also received free accommodation for 6 months in Bangkok as a benefit to my teaching overseas job. Teaching in exchange for accommodation is not common in Australia, but you can opportunities that require other skills such as maintenance, decorating, or even farming.

11. Save your budget for the big cities

We set a daily budget for our Australia trip, but Melbourne blew that budget out of the water!

The price for accommodation in major cities such as Melbourne and Sydney is vastly more expensive than the small towns, and there is no escaping it.

You may want to look for more budget accommodations elsewhere so you can put more of your budget into accommodation in these cities, to try and offset the costs.

Other than that splurge in Melbourne, we’ve been able to keep under budget.

Top tip! Look for the Ibis budget hotels in major cities. These are affordable hotels designed for the modest budget traveler, but with a reputable well-known global brand. They don’t often get the best reviews online because they really are budget, meaning they lack some basic amenities, but they are a good option for those looking for a cheap place to stay for one or two nights.

• Ibis Budget Melbourne Airport
• Ibis Budget Melbourne CBD
• Ibis Budget Brisbane Airport
• Ibis Budget Sydney Airport
• Ibis Budget Sydney East
• Ibis Budget Sydney Olympic Park
• Ibis Budget Fawkner
• Ibis Budget Canberra

12. Travel in the off season

If you can, time your visit outside of peak season when prices are typically lower. The peak season in Australia is the summer, which runs from December – February.

Many international travelers like to visit Australia in the Spring, which is from May until June. This is also when Australia sees its whale season, and attracts a lot of wildlife enthusiasts.

If you want to time your visit for the off season, travel between July and August, when Australia has its winter.

You will find cheaper prices, and if you stay on the East Coast, you will still find it has beautiful weather.

13. Forgo luxury amenities

If you really want to find cheap accommodation in Australia, you may have to forgo some luxuries and homey comforts.

Don’t worry, even the most budget accommodation will have free wi-fi and clean showers and toilets.

But the more affordable accommodation options will lack amenities that cost them more. These are things like 24-hour front desk, which increases the room rate as they need to pay for someone to spend all night in reception.

Concierge service, saunas and spas, luggage storage, laundry facilities and swimming pools are all luxury amenities that you may find increases the room rate.

14. Stay out of the center and drive in

Staying close to tourist attractions can bump up the room rate. You will find cheaper deals if you stay a few km outside the CBD and drive in or take a bus to attractions.

Final Thoughts on Saving on Accommodation in Australia

So there you have it, those are our top tips for finding cheap accommodation in Austrailia.

There are so many clever ways you can save on accommodation, but my last big tip for you is to book in advance.

Gone are the days when you could simply rock up and knock on a hotel door and ask for a room.

Nowadays, if you don’t book in advance, you will find the nice affordable options have been booked up and you’re left with either the high end luxury places or the really bad places.

The further you book in advance, the more choice you have to choose from and the more likely you are to finding a good deal.

Australia Travel Tips

Need more tips for Australia? Check out these posts:

• The Cost of Travel in Australia
• How to Travel Australia on a Budget
• How to Visit Australia on a 2 Week Vacation
• How to visit Australia in 3 weeks

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• Flight Tamworth - Sydney (TMW - SYD) $387+
• Flight Mackay - Sydney (MKY - SYD) $406+
• Flight Perth - Sydney (PER - SYD) $436+
• Flight Darwin - Sydney (DRW - SYD) $540+
• Flight Alice Springs - Sydney (ASP - SYD) $695+
• Flight Broome - Sydney (BME - SYD) $1,129+

London flights

• Flight Brisbane - London (BNE - LHR) $1,230+
• Flight Sydney - London (SYD - LGW) $1,246+
• Flight Melbourne - London (MEL - LGW) $1,279+
• Flight Perth - London (PER - LGW) $1,308+
• Flight Perth - London (PER - LHR) $1,339+
• Flight Sydney - London (SYD - LHR) $1,354+
• Flight Sydney - London (SYD - LTN) $1,390+

Bangkok flights

• Flight Perth - Bangkok (PER - BKK) $335+
• Flight Melbourne - Bangkok (MEL - BKK) $428+
• Flight Sydney - Bangkok (SYD - BKK) $476+
• Flight Brisbane - Bangkok (BNE - BKK) $702+
• Flight Adelaide - Bangkok (ADL - BKK) $712+
• Flight Melbourne - Bangkok (AVV - BKK) $733+
• Flight Coolangatta - Bangkok (OOL - BKK) $753+
• Flight Darwin - Bangkok (DRW - BKK) $782+
• Flight Hobart - Bangkok (HBA - BKK) $787+

Perth flights

• Flight Albany - Perth (ALH - PER) $257+
• Flight Adelaide - Perth (ADL - PER) $331+
• Flight Melbourne - Perth (MEL - PER) $393+
• Flight Coolangatta - Perth (OOL - PER) $396+
• Flight Brisbane - Perth (BNE - PER) $404+
• Flight Broome - Perth (BME - PER) $433+
• Flight Sydney - Perth (SYD - PER) $433+

Singapore flights

• Flight Perth - Singapore (PER - SIN) $328+
• Flight Melbourne - Singapore (MEL - SIN) $404+
• Flight Sydney - Singapore (SYD - SIN) $428+
• Flight Darwin - Singapore (DRW - SIN) $637+
• Flight Brisbane - Singapore (BNE - SIN) $653+
• Flight Adelaide - Singapore (ADL - SIN) $660+
• Flight Melbourne - Singapore (AVV - SIN) $678+

Europe flights

• Flight Melbourne - Istanbul (MEL - IST) $1,045+
• Flight Sydney - Istanbul (SYD - IST) $1,093+
• Flight Sydney - Rome (SYD - FCO) $1,114+
• Flight Sydney - Paris (SYD - CDG) $1,128+
• Flight Melbourne - Rome (MEL - FCO) $1,166+

Asia flights

• Flight Perth - Denpasar (PER - DPS) $223+
• Flight Perth - Kuala Lumpur (PER - KUL) $248+
• Flight Melbourne - Kuala Lumpur (MEL - KUL) $372+
• Flight Melbourne - Phuket City (MEL - HKT) $436+
• Flight Sydney - Shanghai (SYD - SHA) $447+

Cairns flights

• Flight Brisbane - Cairns (BNE - CNS) $194+
• Flight Maroochydore - Cairns (MCY - CNS) $194+
• Flight Sydney - Cairns (SYD - CNS) $251+
• Flight Coolangatta - Cairns (OOL - CNS) $262+
• Flight Melbourne - Cairns (MEL - CNS) $268+
• Flight Newcastle - Cairns (NTL - CNS) $282+
• Flight Adelaide - Cairns (ADL - CNS) $355+

Darwin flights

• Flight Adelaide - Darwin (ADL - DRW) $298+
• Flight Cairns - Darwin (CNS - DRW) $329+
• Flight Sydney - Darwin (SYD - DRW) $487+
• Flight Melbourne - Darwin (MEL - DRW) $496+
• Flight Brisbane - Darwin (BNE - DRW) $499+
• Flight Coolangatta - Darwin (OOL - DRW) $537+
• Flight Townsville - Darwin (TSV - DRW) $543+

Melbourne flights

• Flight Sydney - Melbourne (SYD - MEL) $98+
• Flight Launceston - Melbourne (LST - MEL) $116+
• Flight Adelaide - Melbourne (ADL - MEL) $122+
• Flight Hobart - Melbourne (HBA - MEL) $129+
• Flight Coolangatta - Melbourne (OOL - MEL) $142+
• Flight Newcastle - Melbourne (NTL - MEL) $152+
• Flight Canberra - Melbourne (CBR - MEL) $156+
• Flight Brisbane - Melbourne (BNE - MEL) $178+
• Flight Maroochydore - Melbourne (MCY - MEL) $193+

Brisbane flights

• Flight Sydney - Brisbane (SYD - BNE) $144+
• Flight Melbourne - Brisbane (MEL - BNE) $145+
• Flight Melbourne - Brisbane (AVV - BNE) $145+
• Flight Newcastle - Brisbane (NTL - BNE) $147+
• Flight Mackay - Brisbane (MKY - BNE) $178+
• Flight Cairns - Brisbane (CNS - BNE) $191+
• Flight Townsville - Brisbane (TSV - BNE) $205+

Auckland flights

• Flight Brisbane - Auckland (BNE - AKL) $308+
• Flight Sydney - Auckland (SYD - AKL) $309+
• Flight Melbourne - Auckland (MEL - AKL) $318+
• Flight Coolangatta - Auckland (OOL - AKL) $328+
• Flight Launceston - Auckland (LST - AKL) $517+
• Flight Hobart - Auckland (HBA - AKL) $526+
• Flight Adelaide - Auckland (ADL - AKL) $543+

Tokyo flights

• Flight Perth - Tokyo (PER - NRT) $604+
• Flight Cairns - Tokyo (CNS - NRT) $608+
• Flight Perth - Tokyo (PER - HND) $627+
• Flight Sydney - Tokyo (SYD - HND) $672+
• Flight Melbourne - Tokyo (MEL - NRT) $681+
• Flight Melbourne - Tokyo (MEL - HND) $687+
• Flight Cairns - Tokyo (CNS - HND) $696+
• Flight Sydney - Tokyo (SYD - NRT) $701+
• Flight Brisbane - Tokyo (BNE - NRT) $790+
• Flight Brisbane - Tokyo (BNE - HND) $793+
• Flight Coolangatta - Tokyo (OOL - NRT) $908+
• Flight Melbourne - Tokyo (AVV - NRT) $927+
• Flight Adelaide - Tokyo (ADL - NRT) $932+
• Flight Melbourne - Tokyo (AVV - HND) $932+
• Flight Hobart - Tokyo (HBA - NRT) $961+
• Flight Canberra - Tokyo (CBR - NRT) $1,019+
• Flight Coolangatta - Tokyo (OOL - HND) $1,038+
• Flight Adelaide - Tokyo (ADL - HND) $1,061+
• Flight Hobart - Tokyo (HBA - HND) $1,068+
• Flight Darwin - Tokyo (DRW - NRT) $1,099+
• Flight Canberra - Tokyo (CBR - HND) $1,102+
• Flight Launceston - Tokyo (LST - NRT) $1,223+
• Flight Maroochydore - Tokyo (MCY - HND) $1,426+
• Flight Maroochydore - Tokyo (MCY - NRT) $1,642+

Manila flights

• Flight Perth - Manila (PER - MNL) $419+
• Flight Sydney - Manila (SYD - MNL) $442+
• Flight Melbourne - Manila (MEL - MNL) $465+
• Flight Melbourne - Manila (AVV - MNL) $609+
• Flight Coolangatta - Manila (OOL - MNL) $673+
• Flight Brisbane - Manila (BNE - MNL) $681+
• Flight Adelaide - Manila (ADL - MNL) $690+

India flights

• Flight Perth - New Delhi (PER - DEL) $575+
• Flight Melbourne - Ahmedabad (MEL - AMD) $592+
• Flight Melbourne - Amritsar (MEL - ATQ) $595+
• Flight Sydney - Ahmedabad (SYD - AMD) $601+
• Flight Melbourne - New Delhi (MEL - DEL) $652+
• Flight Sydney - New Delhi (SYD - DEL) $684+
• Flight Melbourne - Hyderabad (MEL - HYD) $689+

New Zealand flights

• Flight Sydney - Auckland (SYD - AKL) $288+
• Flight Melbourne - Auckland (MEL - AKL) $331+
• Flight Melbourne - Christchurch (MEL - CHC) $363+
• Flight Melbourne - Queenstown (MEL - ZQN) $366+
• Flight Sydney - Christchurch (SYD - CHC) $428+

Hawaii flights

• Flight Sydney - Hawaii (SYD - USHI) $467+
• Flight Melbourne - Hawaii (MEL - USHI) $497+
• Flight Adelaide - Hawaii (ADL - USHI) $776+
• Flight Melbourne - Hawaii (AVV - USHI) $780+
• Flight Brisbane - Hawaii (BNE - USHI) $796+
• Flight Coolangatta - Hawaii (OOL - USHI) $970+
• Flight Perth - Hawaii (PER - USHI) $1,100+

Ballina flights

• Flight Sydney - Ballina (SYD - BNK) $80+
• Flight Melbourne - Ballina (MEL - BNK) $197+
• Flight Melbourne - Ballina (AVV - BNK) $231+
• Flight Adelaide - Ballina (ADL - BNK) $376+
• Flight Newcastle - Ballina (NTL - BNK) $465+
• Flight Perth - Ballina (PER - BNK) $675+
• Flight Coffs Harbour - Ballina (CFS - BNK) $699+

Bali flights

• Flight Perth - Bali (PER - IDBA) $223+
• Flight Adelaide - Bali (ADL - IDBA) $412+
• Flight Melbourne - Bali (MEL - IDBA) $473+
• Flight Sydney - Bali (SYD - IDBA) $499+
• Flight Cairns - Bali (CNS - IDBA) $572+
• Flight Coolangatta - Bali (OOL - IDBA) $578+
• Flight Brisbane - Bali (BNE - IDBA) $585+
• Flight Canberra - Bali (CBR - IDBA) $637+
• Flight Darwin - Bali (DRW - IDBA) $710+
• Flight Maroochydore - Bali (MCY - IDBA) $741+
• Flight Melbourne - Bali (AVV - IDBA) $782+
• Flight Hobart - Bali (HBA - IDBA) $823+
• Flight Ballina - Bali (BNK - IDBA) $845+
• Flight Mackay - Bali (MKY - IDBA) $845+

Los Angeles flights

• Flight Melbourne - Los Angeles (MEL - LAX) $964+
• Flight Sydney - Los Angeles (SYD - LAX) $976+
• Flight Brisbane - Los Angeles (BNE - LAX) $982+
• Flight Adelaide - Los Angeles (ADL - LAX) $1,171+
• Flight Coolangatta - Los Angeles (OOL - LAX) $1,307+
• Flight Perth - Los Angeles (PER - LAX) $1,362+
• Flight Cairns - Los Angeles (CNS - LAX) $1,474+
• Flight Canberra - Los Angeles (CBR - LAX) $1,507+
• Flight Hobart - Los Angeles (HBA - LAX) $1,514+
• Flight Newcastle - Los Angeles (NTL - LAX) $1,572+
• Flight Darwin - Los Angeles (DRW - LAX) $2,173+
• Flight Maroochydore - Los Angeles (MCY - LAX) $2,260+
• Flight Townsville - Los Angeles (TSV - LAX) $2,871+
• Flight Ballina - Los Angeles (BNK - LAX) $2,929+

New Delhi flights

• Flight Sydney - New Delhi (SYD - DEL) $693+
• Flight Brisbane - New Delhi (BNE - DEL) $881+
• Flight Adelaide - New Delhi (ADL - DEL) $921+
• Flight Cairns - New Delhi (CNS - DEL) $944+
• Flight Melbourne - New Delhi (AVV - DEL) $1,059+
• Flight Darwin - New Delhi (DRW - DEL) $1,145+
• Flight Coolangatta - New Delhi (OOL - DEL) $1,175+
• Flight Hobart - New Delhi (HBA - DEL) $1,252+
• Flight Canberra - New Delhi (CBR - DEL) $1,302+
• Flight Townsville - New Delhi (TSV - DEL) $1,489+

Gold Coast flights

• Flight Sydney - Gold Coast (SYD - zzSKM) $129+
• Flight Melbourne - Gold Coast (MEL - zzSKM) $136+
• Flight Melbourne - Gold Coast (AVV - zzSKM) $168+
• Flight Newcastle - Gold Coast (NTL - zzSKM) $181+
• Flight Canberra - Gold Coast (CBR - zzSKM) $194+
• Flight Cairns - Gold Coast (CNS - zzSKM) $208+
• Flight Albury - Gold Coast (ABX - zzSKM) $245+

Adelaide flights

• Flight Melbourne - Adelaide (MEL - ADL) $127+
• Flight Sydney - Adelaide (SYD - ADL) $216+
• Flight Hobart - Adelaide (HBA - ADL) $231+
• Flight Coolangatta - Adelaide (OOL - ADL) $239+
• Flight Brisbane - Adelaide (BNE - ADL) $269+
• Flight Launceston - Adelaide (LST - ADL) $292+
• Flight Perth - Adelaide (PER - ADL) $315+

Australia flights

• Flight Sydney - Melbourne (SYD - AVV) $98+
• Flight Melbourne - Hobart (MEL - HBA) $129+

Fiji flights

• Flight Brisbane - Nadi (BNE - NAN) $439+
• Flight Sydney - Nadi (SYD - NAN) $448+
• Flight Melbourne - Nadi (MEL - NAN) $481+
• Flight Canberra - Nadi (CBR - NAN) $517+
• Flight Adelaide - Nadi (ADL - NAN) $571+
• Flight Melbourne - Nadi (AVV - NAN) $617+
• Flight Sydney - Suva (SYD - SUV) $753+

Hobart flights

• Flight Sydney - Hobart (SYD - HBA) $155+
• Flight Adelaide - Hobart (ADL - HBA) $205+
• Flight Coolangatta - Hobart (OOL - HBA) $243+
• Flight Brisbane - Hobart (BNE - HBA) $265+
• Flight Maroochydore - Hobart (MCY - HBA) $346+
• Flight Melbourne - Hobart (AVV - HBA) $347+

Proserpine flights

• Flight Brisbane - Proserpine (BNE - PPP) $152+
• Flight Sydney - Proserpine (SYD - PPP) $233+
• Flight Newcastle - Proserpine (NTL - PPP) $272+
• Flight Melbourne - Proserpine (MEL - PPP) $372+
• Flight Coolangatta - Proserpine (OOL - PPP) $493+
• Flight Perth - Proserpine (PER - PPP) $666+
• Flight Adelaide - Proserpine (ADL - PPP) $673+

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest day of the week to book a flight.

The best day to book your flight depends on a number of factors, but there are general trends that you can follow to increase your chances of cheaper plane tickets. Based on an analysis of KAYAK data for all flights departing from inside Australia over the last 12 months, the cheapest day to fly for domestic flights is Tuesday. For international flights, Wednesday had the cheapest tickets on average.

Which month of the year are flight prices lowest?

It’s well established that flights in the low season are generally cheaper than ticket prices during the high season. That means that knowing which month to find the lowest priced plane tickets will depend heavily on seasonality and your destination. While avoiding peak travel times can help you keep costs down, our data shows that the month with the lowest priced plane tickets for domestic flights based on all searches made on KAYAK in the last 12 months was August, while the most expensive was December. If you’re booking an international flight, then February is the cheapest month to fly and December the most expensive.

When is the best time to buy plane tickets - Last minute or in advance?

Last minute flight deals are definitely up for grabs, but when exactly to purchase your plane tickets will depend on where you’re travelling to and from. Based on all data for flight searches made on KAYAK over the last 12 months, prices for domestic flights remained below the average price up to 1 week before departure. For international flights, deals could still be had up to 1 week prior to the departure date, with prices remaining below average. If you’re flexible, KAYAK brings you both advance and last minute one-way and round-trip flight deals.

Can flying international flights with a layover save money on airfare?

For many long-haul international flights, flying direct is not possible and you will have to fly with stopover. Some routes will offer both and you could consider flying with a stopover for a number of reasons. Firstly, breaking up what would otherwise be a long-haul flight, taking a rest and then completing the journey might make the flight more manageable. Secondly, prices can also be lower than direct flights, so while it might take longer for you to reach your destination, you could save money. We’ve looked at prices over the last 12 months for the 100 most popular international destinations for KAYAK users and on average, prices for non-stop flights were cheaper than flights with a layover.

How does KAYAK find such low flight prices?

KAYAK processes over 2 billion flight queries annually and displays results from hundreds of airlines and third party sites, allowing it to find a variety of flight prices and options. It also displays results from 2M+ properties along with car hire, holiday packages, activities and millions of verified reviews so users can see as many available travel options as possible.

How do I find the best flight deals on KAYAK?

A simple flight search at https://www.kayak.com.au/flights scans for prices on hundreds of travel sites in seconds. We gather flight deals from across the web and put them in one place. Then on the search results page you can use various filters to compare options for the same flight and easily choose the best flight deal from all of the deals coming straight from the travel sites to your screen, with no extra fee from KAYAK.

How can Hacker Fares save me money?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets on different airlines when it can save you money over a traditional return ticket.

Does KAYAK query more flight providers than competitors?

Yes, KAYAK has access to more data and information than online travel agencies and consistently outperforms the competition in accuracy, globally.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you flights up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. That way, you can see if leaving a day or two earlier will find you a better deal. You can also select the flexible 'weekend' or 'month' search options to widen your search range and find the cheapest price that works for you.

Search cheap flights with KAYAK. Search for the cheapest airline tickets for all the top airlines around the world and the top international flight routes . KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap airfare and book a flight that suits you best. Since KAYAK searches many plane tickets sites at once, you can find cheap tickets from cheap airlines quickly.

KAYAK also helps you find the right hotels for your needs.

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Dingos 3 Day K’Gari Tour From Rainbow Beach

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• Meals while on this tour
• 18 years to 35 years of age
• All National Park fees while on tour

Dingos 2 Day Fraser Island From Rainbow Beach

From: $ 519.00 Original price was: $519.00. $ 469.00 Current price is: $469.00.

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What is the Why Not Bus in Western Australia?

The Why Not Bus is one of the best ways to explore the West Coast of Australia with other young independant travellers without hiring a campervan. Hiring a campervan can be a big expense so if you don’t want to hire a campervan, but still want that road trip vibe, then they Why Not Bus…

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30 Day East Coast Melbourne – Cairns

We understand at Cheap Az Travel travelling can be expensive . That’s why we have put an amazing Cheap Az Travel 30 day East Coast itinerary together from Melbourne to Cairns. Check out below for a full itinerary on day to day adventures to give you an idea what you can see and what you…

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Money latest: Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture - the items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune

Gumtree's most popular items include rare stamps, Gameboys and Pokemon cards. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment or submit a consumer dispute or money problem in the box.

Monday 29 April 2024 19:46, UK

• Three of UK's biggest lenders up mortgage rates
• Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021
• Higher food prices and shortages warning - as new Brexit checks begin this week
• People on disability benefits could receive vouchers rather than cash

Essential reads

• Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture: The items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune
• Money Problem : 'A company isn't abiding by written warranty for dodgy building work - what can I do?'  
• '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches
• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical and where can you go?

Ask a question or make a comment

We're looking to answer this question - and would like your thoughts.

Are you a parent - and if so, how much do you give your kids (it'd be helpful to mention their age too)?

We also want to know how you give them the money (cash, bank transfer, app) - and if they have to do anything in return.

Leave your comments in the box above or:

• Email [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog"
• WhatsApp us  here .

Strikes at Heathrow Airport are taking place over the next few weeks, with the first one already under way.

Staff at the UK's biggest airport are set to walk out during the early bank holiday in May, with their union warning planes could be "delayed, disrupted and grounded".

Click here to find out when all the strikes are, what disruption is expected and which airlines are affected...

The average price paid for comprehensive motor insurance rose 1% in the first quarter of the year, according to industry data indicating an easing in the steep rises seen last year.

The latest tracker issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) showed a 1% increase on the previous three months to £635.

That was despite the average claim paid rising 8% to reach a record of £4,800, the body said.

The ABI said the disparity showed that its members were "absorbing" additional costs and not passing them on.

Nevertheless, the average policy was still 33%, or £157, higher between January and March compared to the same period last year.

Read the full story here ...

Getir , the grocery delivery app, has abandoned a European expansion that is set to result in the loss of around 1,500 jobs in the UK.

Sky News had previously revealed that the Turkey-based company, which means "to bring" in Turkish, had  successfully raised money from investors to fund its withdrawals  from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.

It had already departed other countries including Italy and Spain.

The exits were prompted by growing losses linked to the company's rapid expansion.

Waitrose is launching an exclusive range of products with popular chef Yotam Ottolenghi today. 

The Israeli-British chef is famous for his Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired food, and has worked with the supermarket to release products including a pasta sauce, spice blend and shawarma marinade. 

It is the first time Ottolenghi has partnered with a supermarket in such a way. 

The full range will be available in Waitrose shops, Waitrose.com and Ottolenghi.co.uk from today, while a selection of products will be available from the supermarket on Deliveroo and Uber Eats. 

An introductory 20% off offer is being launched until 18 June. 

The range includes: 

• Ottolenghi Miso Pesto 165g (£4)
• Ottolenghi Kalamata Olive & Harissa Sauce  350g (£4.50)
• Ottolenghi Pomegranate, Rose & Preserved Lemon Harissa 170g (£5)
• Ottolenghi Green Harissa 170g (£5)
• Ottolenghi Aleppo & Other Chillies Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Sweet & Smokey Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Citrus & Spice Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Red Chilli Sauce (£4.50)
• Ottolenghi Shawarma Marinade (£4)

Ottolenghi said he had "always been super eager to get our flavours onto people's dinner plates nationwide, not just in London, without having to cook it from scratch every single time". 

He added: "I hate to admit it but the pasta sauce already features heavily in my home kitchen, when no one is looking."

The cost of bread, biscuits and beer could increase this year due to the impact of the unusually wet autumn and winter on UK harvests.

Research suggests that production of wheat, oats, barley and oilseed rape could drop by four million tonnes (17.5%) compared with 2023.

The wet weather has resulted in lower levels of planting, while flooding and storms over winter caused farmers more losses.

The predictions come just as the rate of price increases on many food items begins to slow as inflation falls.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) analysed forecasts from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHBD) and government yield data.

It found a "real risk" of beer, biscuits and bread becoming more expensive if the poor harvest increases costs for producers, according to its lead analyst Tom Lancaster.

Beer prices could be affected because the wet weather is still disrupting the planting of spring crops such as barley, the ECIU said.

And potatoes might also see a price hike in the coming months, with growers warning of a major shortage in the autumn due to persistent wet weather.

By Emily Mee , Money team

When I think about the toys of my childhood - my pink Barbie car, my Gameboy Micro, my collection of Pokemon cards - I can't tell you where they went. 

Maybe they were shipped off to a charity shop at some point... Or perhaps they're in the attic? 

While my hot pink Gameboy Micro is lost to the void of time (or a cardboard box somewhere in my mum's house), other versions of it are selling on eBay for £100 or more. 

And there are Pokemon cards selling for anything from a tenner to hundreds or even thousands of pounds. 

It's possible you also have items at home that are a collector's dream. 

Gumtree says its collectables category is already proving to be a "hotbed of activity" this year, with listings up 22% in 2024 so far. 

Its most popular items include rare stamps, coins, war memorabilia and Pokemon cards. 

Spring is often the most popular time for buying and selling collectibles, with demand spiking in March and April. 

We've enlisted the help of TV presenter and collectables expert Tracy Martin to give an idea of what could make you an easy buck. 

Old toys making a 'retro comeback'

Tracy explains that while trends change, vintage toys tend to stand the test of time. 

"Toys are always going to be popular because they tap into nostalgia, our childhood memories," she says, explaining that adults like to buy the toys they used to have. 

Perhaps you were into cars, and you've got some old diecast vehicles from Matchbox, Corgi or Dinky Toys. 

A quick look on toy auction site Vectis.co.uk shows a Corgi Toys "James Bond" Aston Martin estimated to sell for between £600 to £700 - while others are likely to fetch £50 to £60. 

Sindy dolls are also particularly sought after - particularly those from the 1960s - and Barbie dolls from the 1990s too. 

Pokemon cards have seen a "massive surge", Tracy says, with people paying "thousands and thousands of pounds" for good unopened sets. 

She's even seen examples of people paying £16,000 upwards. 

Another up-and-coming market is games consoles, such as Gameboys, vintage consoles and PlayStations, which are making a "retro comeback".

What else could earn you some cash?

Tracy says there's currently a surge in people wanting to buy "mid century" furniture, which is dated to roughly 1945 to 1965 and typically uses clean lines and has a timeless feel. 

Vintage Danish furniture is sought after, particularly tables and chairs with good designer names such as Wegner, Verner Panton and Arne Jacobsen.

Prices range from the low hundreds into the thousands.

People will also look out for vintage framed prints by artists such as Tretchikoff, J.H. Lynch and Shabner - these can range in price from £50 upwards to a few hundred pounds plus. 

Vintage clothes, handbags and shoes can fetch a good price - but you can also invest in modern pieces. 

Tracy suggests looking out for good classic designs with high-end designer names such as Gucci, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. 

Modern designers such as Irregular Choice, Vendula and Lulu Guinness are also collected. 

Collaborations with designers and celebrities can do well as they're often limited edition. 

For example, Tracy says the H&M x Paco Rabanne maxi silver sequin dress retailed at £279.99 last year but now sells for in excess of £600. 

When it comes to shoes, "the quirkier the design the better" - so look out for brands such as Irregular Choice and Joe Browns. 

Converse and Dr Martens collaborations also do well, depending on the design and condition, as well as Adidas and Nike limited edition trainers. 

What's the best way to sell?  

Tracy recommends to always research before selling your items, as they might perform better on different platforms and you can also get an idea of how much they sell for. 

For example, Vinted can be a good place to sell clothes and shoes, while other items might be better suited for sale on Gumtree, eBay or Etsy. 

Tracy's favourite way to sell is through auction - especially if there are specialist sales. 

Vectis is one of the biggest and most popular for toy selling. 

Interests in different periods and items can go up and down, but for the time being vintage pieces from the 1980s and 90s are popular. 

How much you'll be able to get from an item often takes into account its rarity, condition, whether it reflects a period in time, and if it's got a good name behind it. 

You never know - you might be sitting on a treasure trove. 

Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021, according to new data from Zoopla .

The biggest impact of rising interest rates has been in southern England where house prices are higher.

Across the South West, South East and East of England, the annual mortgage cost for an average home is £5,000 higher than previously. This rises to £7,500 in London.

But the universal uptick in mortgage costs has been less pronounced in other parts of the UK, with the North East seeing a £2,350 increase.

In a bid to tackle inflation, the Bank of England has raised the base rate from 0.1% in December 2021 to a 16-year high of 5.25% now.

The Zoopla research looked at the average home buyer taking out a 70% loan-to-value mortgage.

This week seems to be starting where last week left off - with three major lenders announcing further hikes in mortgage rates.

Amid uncertainty of the timing of interest rate cuts from the Bank of England  this year, swap rates (which dictate how much it costs lenders to lend) have been rising in recent weeks.

Financial markets currently see two rate cuts by the Bank of England this year.

We've reported on a string of rate bumps from the high street over the last 10 days, and this morning NatWest, Santander and Nationwide moved.

In its second hikes announcement in less than a week, NatWest laid out increases across its full range of residential and buy-to-let fixed deals of up to 0.22%.

Santander, meanwhile, announced increases for both fixed and tracker deals across their residential and buy-to-let products - up to 0.25%.

The same hikes are being imposed for a range of Nationwide deals.

All of these will kick in tomorrow.

Amit Patel, adviser at Trinity Finance, told Newspage it was "not a great start to the week". 

"This is not good news for borrowers," he said.

Where will the base rate go this year?

The majority of the bets, according to LSEG data, are on the first cut coming in August (previously this was June) and the second in December.

This would take Bank rate from the current level of 5.25% to 4.75%.

Disabled people could receive vouchers instead of monthly payments under proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The changes could see people being provided with either one-off grants for specific costs such as home adaptation, or being directed to "alternative means of support" rather than financial support.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is set to announce plans today to overhaul the way disability benefits work.

In a Green Paper due to be published alongside Mr Stride's statement to the Commons, ministers will set out plans to reform Personal Independence Payments (PIP), the main disability benefit, through changes to eligibility criteria and assessments.

The plans also include proposals to "move away from a fixed cash benefit system", meaning people with some conditions, such as depression and anxiety, will no longer receive regular payments but rather get improved access to treatment if their condition does not involve extra costs.

Speaking to Sky News earlier, Mr Stride said: "I want us to have a grown-up, sensible conversation about a benefit called PIP that has not been reviewed in over a decade.

"And I want to ask the question, is it fit for purpose given the world that we're in today, in which mental health issues sadly present more of an issue than they did a decade ago."

By James Sillars , business reporter

A fresh high for the FTSE 100 to start the week.

The index of leading shares in London was 0.5% up at 8,179 in early dealing.

The gains were led by miners and financial stocks.

Dragging on the performance were some consumer-facing brands including JD Sports and Flutter Entertainment.

One other development of note to mention is that stubbornly high oil price.

A barrel of Brent crude is currently trading almost 1% down on the day.

But it remains at $88 a barrel.

The market has been pulled by various forces this month, with hopes of a rebound in demand in China among them.

The latest decline is said to reflect peace talks being held between Israel and Hamas.

A demand for smaller homes has driven growth in UK property prices early in 2024, according to research by Halifax.

Data from the bank's house price index suggests annual property price growth hit 1.9% in February this year - a significant rise from -4.1% just three months prior.

That equates to a rise in prices of £5,318 over the past year.

It follows interest rates stabilising, Halifax says, after a sharp rise over the past two years which squeezed mortgage affordability.

A key driver behind rising prices, Halifax says, has been first-time buyers, who made up 53% of all homes bought with a mortgage in 2023 - the highest proportion since 1995.

And it's smaller homes that have recorded the biggest increases in price growth in the early part of this year - with buyers adjusting their expectations to compensate for higher borrowing costs.

Flats and terraced houses made up 57% of all homes purchased by first-time buyers last year.

This varies by region - for example, in London, flats and terraced homes accounted for 90% of all first-time buyer purchases.

Challenges remain

However, Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax mortgages, said "it's important not to gloss over the challenges" facing the UK housing market, given the "impact of higher interest rates on mortgage affordability" and "continued lack of supply of new homes".

"But scratch beneath the surface and there is a more nuanced story, one which shows that demand for different property types in different parts of the country can vary hugely," she added.

"As interest rates have stabilised and buyers adjust to the new economic reality of owning a home, one way to compensate for higher borrowing costs is to target smaller properties.

"This is especially true among first-time buyers, who have proven to be resilient over recent years, and now account for the largest proportion of homes purchased with a mortgage in almost 30 years."

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The Cheap Seats jokes the show might be ‘cursed’

Become a favourite source clip on the 10 show, and it might be the kiss of death, warns tim mcdonald..

• Published by David Knox
• on April 30, 2024
• Filed under News , Top Stories

It’s the TV show that loves to highlight amusing, often obscure, television moments, but The Cheap Seats is starting to joke that it may also be cursed.

The 10 show, returning for its fourth season, is slowly amassing a list of television shows and presenters that have all departed after becoming a Cheap Seats favourite.

The latest to bite the dust is 10’s own Studio 10 , a source of many clip highlights, but no longer on air in 2024.

“Last year internally, we started calling The Cheap Seats ‘cursed,'” Tim McDonald tells TV Tonight.

“When we mentioned someone or a show they would either be axed, rested, moved to another time, or the person would just quit TV altogether.

“We’ve lost ( Seven News anchor) Jane Doyle in Adelaide who did wonderful work. We loved Wally Lewis reading sport on Nine News . Studio 10 is gone. We lost Spencer Gulf News in regional South Australia.

“ Studio 10 is a big loss. It does, however, free up three hours of our day, every day, but we still gather around and talk about steam mops.”

McDonald, who hosts alongside Melanie Bracewell, assures that the show still has plenty of potential targets for another year of highlighting the ‘best worst’ moments on television in the past week.

“(Nine’s) Alan Raskall I believe is fine and well. Channel Seven Toowoomba gardening expert Penny McKinlay is healthy and What’s On in the Warehouse continues to produce episodes.”

Each week McDonald, Bracewell and their team of researchers scour Australia and the globe for moments that deliver a laugh. 2024 promises to be a year of big events, from the Olympics in Paris to the US Election. But The Cheap Seats team loves their off-off-Broadway discoveries and so too does the audience.

“There’s a German breakfast show that I can’t wait to show people this year”

“I think with a lot of shows, they all watch Sunrise , the Today show, but we’re watching Tasmanian news, Darwin news, and international stuff like Irish breakfast TV. There’s a German breakfast show that I can’t wait to show people this year. It’s those sorts of discoveries that I love about our show,” he continues.

“Every time a week goes and you think ‘Nothing happened, there’s nothing good,’ you wake up the next day and there’s been a hotdog eating contest in the States. Even in dark times when the news is really bad, there’s always a story out there we can have fun with.”

Sometimes being featured on the show will even prove to be a thrill for the TV talent given unexpected national exposure.

“A regional reporter in Townsville will wake up the next morning and discover that they’ve been on national TV”

“We’re lucky enough to meet a lot of the regional people that we’ve featured on the show. Normally you worry because you hope that they don’t hate us or enforce a restraining order. But often, what I love is a regional reporter in Townsville will wake up the next morning and discover that they’ve been on national TV. They’ve been plying their trade for years and all of a sudden they’ve been discovered in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. They love it,” McDonald insists.

“Occasionally we find out that there are reporter WhatsApp groups, where they’ll do a story and then they’ll go, ‘This should get me on The Cheap Seats !’

“Sometimes people are trying to get an appearance, so we are mindful of that.”

This year sees the return of Mel Tracina doing Entertainment, but continuing a revolving roster of Sports presenters following the exit of Titus O’Reily. McDonald feels while there are few other changes from 2023 the show has evolved from its early beginnings when not even the network was quite sure that they were getting.

“I know what will tickle her fancy and I think vice versa”

“When we watch back the earlier episodes, you’re watching Mel and I learn how to work together. We knew each other a little bit from HYBPA? but we didn’t know each other that well. I think what has changed in those four years is we started as colleagues and I like to think we’ve become friends. Mel says we’re still colleagues,” he jokes, “but we’ve just become more comfortable. I know what she’s going to bring and I know what will tickle her fancy and I think vice versa.

“The show itself hasn’t changed a whole lot. We used to do voxpops, which we’ve stopped doing just because we found those didn’t quite work. We thought they were a nice gear change early on, but they were very hard to do and hard to get right. So we stopped doing those. Otherwise, the show’s pretty much the same.”

The show launched in 2020 at the height of the pandemic when not even a studio audience could attend -leading to crew having to make up the early numbers.

“It actually wasn’t that bad because it was a really warm room. The crew had seen some bits but hadn’t seen other bits, so it didn’t feel the pressure of doing a big show. It almost felt like it was just a bunch of mates catching up. I love that small studio vibe. When I do other TV shows sometimes the scale and the size is a bit overwhelming. But we’re in a little broom cupboard and I love it because it feels like an intimate comedy room.”

“10 very generously have supported the show from Day 1”

He also acknowledges the trust from Network 10, doubtless leveraging off the success of Working Dog productions.

“10 very generously have supported the show from Day 1. They basically said, ‘Here’s a timeslot, whatever you guys want to do, have fun with it,’ which is so rare in TV,” he says.

“It’s so rare to launch a new show and just give the hosts that sort of creative control.”

As the 2024 season gets underway, who might be next to be annointed with the show’s very own Kiss of Death? McDonald isn’t too sure.

“Maybe we are the Kiss of Death, so we’re going to be talking more about Piers Morgan, more about Andrew Tate. See if we can use our powers for good.”

The Cheap Seats returns 8:40pm Tuesday on 10.

• Tagged with The Cheap Seats

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