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7 Money Saving Tips to Help You Travel Australia on a Budget

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Australia is one of the most popular travel destinations on the planet. People of all ages flock there in hordes for the beaches, cities and never-ending sunshine. Life is good down under. In fact, it is so good that the main challenge of your vacation is going to be leaving.

But, what if you didn’t have to leave as soon as you thought? A bit of careful budgeting as you travel through Australia can allow you to extend your trip and enjoy the good life a little bit longer.

Australia Travel – Money Saving Tips

1. Stay in Hostels

This tip goes for anywhere in the world, but it is particularly relevant with Australia. Hotels in Australia can be pricey so if you’re willing to sleep a bit less luxuriously you will save a heap of cash.

If you’re feeling adventurous you could even try camping. This will save you some serious money. Note, however, that there isn’t much camping available in the big cities.

2. Make Your Own Food

Even eating in a fast-food joint in Australia won’t give you much change from $10. Plus, subsisting off cheap burgers and fries will wreak havoc on your body. In Australia, a lot of the parks have free, public BBQ facilities. Simply buy some meat or veggies in the local supermarket and get grilling.

If a BBQ every day doesn’t take your fancy then take advantage of hostel kitchens. Use them to cook your own food and you will quickly see the difference in your bank balance.

budget travel australia
Idyllic Beach in Yamba – photo by Jeremy Scott Foster

3. Buy Your Booze from the Bottle-O

A bottle-o is what Aussies call a bottle shop (liquor store). The alcohol here is much cheaper than in the bars so if you’re looking for a cheap tipple, you’ll find it here. A common choice for budget drinkers is Goon – a cheap, boxed wine that is as bad as it sounds.

Being a Green Traveller can Save you Money too!

4. Travel on the Greyhound Bus

A favorite with backpackers, the Greyhound Bus is one of the cheapest ways to travel Australia. For around $500 you can get a traveler pass, which allows you to hop on and off as many times as you like. This is a great way to see Australia’s amazing scenery without spending loads on individual journeys.

5. Buy a Campervan

This is more of an option if you are traveling in a group and can afford to split gas between you. Driving through Australia is an experience in itself and can make your trip a whole lot more interesting. Buy a campervan in Cairns and drive all the way down to Melbourne – or vice versa.

Driving won’t be as cheap as flying directly but you can stop wherever you want. Plus, if your campervan is big enough, it can double up as accommodation.

travel australia on a budget
Mama Koala and Her Baby – photo by Jeremy Scott Foster

6. Spend Lots of Time in Nature

Not only is Australia teeming with natural beauty, but most of it is completely free to experience. The Botanical Gardens in Melbourne and Brisbane are free to enter. The beach is free too. You could also go hiking through Sydney’s Blue Mountains or Royal National Park without spending a single cent.

7. Check Out the Museums and Galleries

Unlike most of the world, Australia’s museums and galleries are usually free to enter. So, if you’re tired of being outside or want a dose of culture, the museums have you covered. The Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne are good places to start.

Author: Jeremy Scott Foster writes for travelfreak.net, he’s an adrenaline junkie, culture vulture, and eater of dumplings. He’s been traveling and working around the world for seven years, jumping off bridges and climbing volcanoes.

15 thoughts on “7 Money Saving Tips to Help You Travel Australia on a Budget

  1. Great tips! Thank you.

    Another idea, if you don’t want to buy (and then sell) a campervan is vehicle/campervan relocations.

    There are several websites, but my favorite is https://www.coseats.com/. Basically, it’s a one way rental, for sometimes as little as $1/day (and if you’re lucky, some fuel reimbursement too) to help out a rental car company by returning a vehicle for them. It’s often last minute, but cost effective and really fun if you have a little flexibility, and if it works with your schedule.

    My husband and I used a compaervan relation from Darwin to Alice Springs. The van was perfectly stocked with bedding and all cooking equipment. It was convenient and easy to find campgrounds and sleeping in the van was comfortable (and more affordable than hotels). It was a budget-friendly and fun way to travel. And I would definitely do it again!

  2. Great, Thanks for sharing frugal travel tips with us. One of my friend plan to visit Australia next month I will surely share this guide with her.

  3. Awesome article!
    I Found it very useful and lots of important point are here!
    Make your own food, spent time in nature this is really money saving point. But i use some traveling store when ever go for a tour they offers discount and other facilities. What about it,?

  4. Hi and thanks for the article ! Me leaving from Montreal – canada on December 10 – 2019 and arriving in Sydney . I reserved a small car and i want to drive to the Whitsundays islands . I will be in Australia for 2 months and i have butterflies in my stomach ! I was there in 2001 and it was simply magical ! From Rene ( 60 yrs old feeling like a 18 yrs old ) LOL ! P.S: Only live ounce !

  5. Awesome article. I’m planning to do a van trip around the country in 2020. Do you have any specific reason why you recommend starting in Cairns? Could you please share some places where you can get some sweet deals for vans or find a pack who’s willing to travel around the country? Thanks a ton! 🙂

  6. Awesome tips! This year I’m going to Australia and just started to collect information. These are very good tips for me! thank you 🙂

  7. I was thinking to travel to Australia and I saw your article and I click when I start reading I finish it all you are doing great work keep it up

  8. All the saving tips are best for me because I’ve spent most of the time on their travelling must thank for share.

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