How to travel Australia on a budget

Don’t be put off by stories of how expensive Australian cities are! Aussies are not all millionaires they just shop carefully and know where to find the bargains. Keep costs down and you’ll be able to travel further for longer in this huge and fascinating land.

Getting there

It’s a long way to Oz from anywhere, so flights are not cheap except when they are! Use the internet as extensively as possible to search for the budget airlines and cheapest flights; consider a stopover on the way or a change of flights, which may be less expensive than a non-stop itinerary.

There are some jaw-dropping bargains to be had if you are prepared to be flexible and fly within a few days of your preferred travel date

Getting around

It’s a big place. Plan your journey really carefully to avoid backtracking and doubling up. Choose what level of comfort you need for example, no-one pretends an interstate bus journey is a luxury trip, but you may not mind in order to save a few dollars. Again, some of the budget airlines now competing in Australia are offering fantastic value and if you can be flexible on your travel date and time, you’ll save even more.

Consider renting a cheap used car from one of a number of nationwide operators with fleets of ‘old bangers’ some of them even offer subsidised one-way rentals if you’re prepared to act as delivery drivers.

There’s no getting away from the cost of fuel, but fill up at supermarkets, which are engaged in a war over prices and offering all sorts of shopper discounts. In town, avoid taxis and use public transport all the big cities have excellent and cheap networks.

Eating

Picnics and barbies are what Australia was invented for! It’s a big open country, so there’s no need to cramp your style in a city restaurant. Take care about lighting fires or drink-driving, but shop at the supermarket and bottle store and save a fortune! Tasty, too!

Sleeping

Motels on the edge of town are a good bet, as are ‘hotels’ in small communities these are actually pubs but usually have a couple of rooms upstairs for stopovers.

Depending on your budget and sociability quotient, consider backpackers’ hostels where you’ll sleep in multi-bed dormitories but spend next to nothing.

If you’re after an outback adventure, you may be driving a camper and parking overnight take care concerning wild animals and be sensible about trash, but a night under the stars is an unforgettable experience!