5 Tips on How to Travel in Australia on a Budget
There are many reasons why Australia is almost always on someone’s travel bucket list.
From beautiful beaches to excellent wines to stunning World Heritage Sites, and more, the land down under is truly a one-of-a-kind destination.
Before you pack your bags though, you should know it’s one of the most expensive countries to visit. But don’t worry. Australia may not be cheap, but it’s not impossible for budget travelers.
Read on for the 5 best tips on how to travel to Australia on a budget.
1. Plan Ahead
Since you’re traveling Australia on a budget, you may be focusing too much on crunching the numbers. But your first step should be to narrow down your places to visit.
Australia is huge. There’s no way you can see everything it has to offer, especially with limited time and funds. It’s best to pick one or two regions and then work on your list of activities.
Next will be to figure out getting there.
2. Know the Best Times to Book a Flight
Airfare sites are great for comparing prices on flights. But if you book a week before your planned travel date, you’re not going to save much on tickets.
So how far in advance should be booking your flight to Australia?
If you want to take advantage of early-bird prices, it’s best to book no less than 6 to 8 months before your trip. Also, if you time your visit such that it falls on either spring or fall, you’re likely to get lower fares since these months are not peak travel season.
3. Save on Accommodations
Even in smaller cities, staying at a big well-known hotel chain will cost you. It’s a good thing then that there are plenty of alternative options that don’t break the bank.
For example, if you don’t mind roughing it a bit, you can stay at camping sites. There are even free ones such as Eurimbula National Park in Queensland.
Other options include Airbnb apartments, hostels, and if you have a super flexible schedule, housesitting or house swapping.
4. Consider a Cruise
A cruise may not be the first thing that pops to your mind when someone says ‘travel to Australia on a budget.’ But there are cheap cruises and it’s a practical way to see a variety of destinations without worrying about accommodations, domestic flights, etc.
Now, if you feel like splurging a bit on one activity, why not try a locally-operated cruise. You can find out more about local cruises with a bit of research.
5. Look for Affordable Meals
Eating out often will put a dent in your travel budget. But if you have no choice, eat where the locals do. Avoid touristy restaurants and don’t overtip.
If you prefer to cook, get supplies from supermarkets or farmers markets. You can also prepare picnics. There are lots of picnic spots in Australia to choose from including beaches, city parks, and so on.
Travel to Australia on a Budget: You Can Do It!
With a bit of planning and budgeting, there’s no reason you should avoid traveling to Australia just because it’s an expensive destination.
And if you didn’t get to see everything to see, that’s okay. You can always go back to explore other Australian sites following the tips listed here.
Want More Travel Tips and Advice?
Now that you know some of the best tips on how to travel to Australia on a budget, don’t stop there. Check out the rest of the blog for more travel tips and advice.
