While Australia is a globally popular destination, it does not enjoy the same ‘budget holiday’ reputation that nearby countries in South East Asia do.
That said, the country is generally affordable in terms of ‘Western’ travellers, from the United States and Europe, who tend to be the biggest demographic taking holidays to Australia. However, there are still many opportunities for people to reduce their costs when holidaying in Australia, especially when it comes to spending on transport and where to stay.
We looked at a number of ideas you could employ during a trip to Australia that will save you money and allow you to turn your trip into a ‘budget’ adventure, without missing any of the country’s best and most exciting places.
Buddy Up
Although there is something exciting and unique about taking a holiday by yourself, sometimes it just is not practical to do so, especially if you are looking to save some money. If you are planning your trip now to take later in the year or even farther into the future, try and get together a group of friends so that you can take the trip together, and share the costs of certain things that will hit you hard in the pocket.
Stay Modest
Potentially the biggest saving you can make is in terms of places to stay. The rule of thumb here is a simple one: the more modest your accommodation, the less it will cost. While that rings true across Australia, the hostel network across the country is one of the best in the world, and cosy, welcoming places to stay are available at a fraction of what you would pay to stay in a hotel in the city.
Do your homework in this regard before heading to Australia, know where the best places are that you need to seek out, but it might be best not to actually book them, just turn up so that you can enjoy the most competitive rate. If you uncover anywhere that says ‘booking recommended’ then you may wish to consider doing so, especially if you are dead set on staying there.
Look at Car Hire
Typically, the cheapest and quickest way to get around Australia is to use the domestic air travel network, which runs hundreds of internal flights on a daily basis. There is a problem with flying, however, as you miss a lot of the charm that exists on the ground between the main locations.
Car hire is the natural solution to this, whether you and your friends pay to hire a vehicle or you are able to make use of relocation vehicles to travel cheaper. Of course, if you can hire a campervan, you have the added bonus of making a saving against your accommodation costs, too.
Try to Make Money
Even with the best budgetary planning, finances can sometimes dwindle. If you are planning to stay in a certain area for a few days, look for short-term work on a farm or in a bar, there are many places that take on people on this basis, especially in locations with a small resident population.
Your Australian adventure does not have to be an expensive one. Save money and have an amazing experience at the same time.
About the author
Rob is an online content writer with a specific interest in the tourism industry. Rob studies modern tourism trends, such as the availability and use of relocation campervans, and how they impact on the way we travel.