Saving Money in Australia: 6 Essential Tips for Travelers on a Budget

Over 9 million short term international visitors grace Australia’s shores each year.

That’s not bad for a country that’s on the other side of the world for most people! Clearly, Australia’s a popular world travel destination.

It’s no surprise given the plethora of unforgettable Aussie attractions, swathes of natural beauty, and the rich cultural heritage that’s enjoyed around the country.

This is one mightily impressive place to explore.

But it ain’t cheap!

That’s right, traveling down under is notoriously expensive; saving money in Australia isn’t always easy. It is, however, perfectly possible. You just have to know what you’re doing!

Venturing to Oz and looking to travel on the cheap?

Keep reading for 6 top budget travel tips to stop you overspending in Australia.

1. Free Camp

Accommodation is always one of the major drains on a traveler’s finances.

And that’s especially true in Australia.

Simply put, Aussie accommodation is super expensive for the average backpacker. Expect to pay up to $50 in peak season for just a dorm bed! Crikey (as they say in Australia)!

One way to sidestep the extortionate cost of accommodation is to free camp instead. It’s one of the best ways to save some cash in this country.

You find these sites all over Australia, and they’re ideal for anybody traveling around in their own car or van. Find them using an app like WikiCamps and you won’t have to pay a dime for a night’s sleep anywhere on your trip.

2. Cook for Yourself

Food’s another classic way to overspend on your travels.

But with a high cost of living, it can get especially bad in Australia.

The best way to save money here is to prepare your food yourself. Avoid eating out too much in the thousands of cafes and restaurants that exist here. Instead, head down to the local supermarket and pick yourself up some grub for a fraction of the price.

Nicely, you’ll find free-to-use BBQs in most parts of the country. They’re everywhere- in parks or next to the beach- and anybody can cook up their food on them at no cost.

It makes sense. After all, Australia is BBQ country. All the same, it’s a lovely travel-friendly touch that’ll make your culinary experience here that bit easier- and cheaper!

If you do choose to eat out, then opt for the cheaper eateries. Subway, for example, is ubiquitous and relatively inexpensive. Here’s the Subway Australia menu to take a look at.

3. Go for Goon

Let’s face it:

Most travelers will find themselves having a drink or two (or three, or four) as they travel down under. Aussies like a drink, and know how to have a good time!

There’s always a night out to be had, wherever you find yourself in the country.

Sad as it sounds, alcohol can end up being one of your biggest expenses here. Of course, the best way to save money here is to cut down on your alcohol consumption.

Failing that, buy goon as your drink of choice!

Goon is basically cheap wine that comes in a bag; it’s a classic Aussie drink that’s favored among budget travelers. The hangovers are awful, but it’s by far the cheapest way to party there.

4. Go By Bus

It’s hard to comprehend the size of Australia until you get there.

This is one enormous country, which makes getting around it something of a challenge. Lots of people buy or hire a car or van to move around.

Now, there are pros and cons to that approach.

The pros? Freedom, flexibility and control- not to mention the option of sleeping in the vehicle (and saving money in the process). The cons? It ain’t cheap. Fuel costs quickly stack up as you cover thousands of kilometers each day.

Then, of course, there’s the possibility of breaking down and having to pay for repairs. Insurance costs and so on are additional expenses.

Going by Greyhound bus is a cheaper alternative. For a few hundred Aussie dollars you can buy a pass that lets you hop on and off at all the main spots across the country.

5. Get a Campervan

We know.

We literally just said that taking a campervan across the country costs serious cash in fuel costs, potential breakdowns, and so on.

But hear us out. It’s still a viable option for saving money here- especially when you’re traveling as a group. Think about it: suddenly you have your transport and accommodation sorted.

In one fell swoop, you cut out two major expenses.

You could rent one, and many people do. However, buying one is just as popular, and can be no more expensive.

Note that solo budget travelers should think twice about this option.

It’s a big ask for one person to cover both the initial purchase and ongoing fuel costs. You could be filling up every day if you’re going somewhere in a hurry. Even though the fuel is cheap in Australia, the money can quickly mount.

6. Leverage the Free Activities

You can spend thousands of dollars on the endless supply of tourist attractions in Australia.

From visiting Fraser Island and the Whitsundays to scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef and venturing over to Uluru, many of the major attractions can set you back serious cash.

Thankfully, though, there are heaps of free things to do as well. In a bid to save money, it makes obvious sense to aim for these instead.

Hike the national parks, swim in the ocean, bathe in the waterfalls, and so on. Frequent the museums, check out the galleries and take time just exploring each new place you set foot in.

You’ll find that you don’t have to spend masses of money in Australia to enjoy it.

Start Saving Money in Australia!

Millions of people travel down under every year.

And you really can’t blame them. This giant country has a huge amount going for it.

Saving money in Australia isn’t always easy though, which is bad news for budget travelers. Hopefully, this post has provided a selection of tips to help you do it.

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