Here's how to make your money go further on an epic trip down under
Let’s be honest—Australia isn’t known for being cheap. Between the long distances, pricey cities, and surprise public holiday surcharges, it can feel like your budget’s gone walkabout before you even start. But that doesn’t mean you have to skip it.
There are loads of ways to have an unforgettable time in Australia without draining your bank account. Whether you’re doing a budget holiday to Australia, planning a working holiday, or just trying to stretch your savings while backpacking Australia, here’s how to keep it fun and affordable.
Plan your Aussie adventure your way
Looking for more than just cheap eats and beach days? Check out all the epic things you can do in Australia—think skydiving in Byron, sailing the Whitsundays, diving the Reef, surfing, road tripping, wildlife spotting, volunteering, and way more.
Whether you're in it for the adrenaline, the culture, the nature—or all three—we’ve got options to fit your vibe and your budget.The real MVP: Working Holiday Visa
There’s no beating around the bush: if you’re serious about budget travel in Australia, nothing stretches your money further than a working holiday. You can earn cash while you travel—bartending, doing farm work, working in a hostel, pulling beers at a pub, or even picking up temp office work in the cities.
Some travellers job-hop their way up the coast. Others find a spot they love and stay a few months. Either way, you’ll not only save money, you’ll experience the country in a way most tourists never do. Plus, a lot of jobs include accommodation or meals, so you're cutting even more costs while still getting paid. It’s hands down the most affordable, flexible, and fun way to explore Australia long-term.
Free (and cheap) things to do in major cities
Australia’s big cities might be known for their café culture and waterfront views, but you don’t need to drop $$$ to enjoy them.
Sydney
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Take the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk – 6km of beaches, cliffs and views for exactly $0.
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Visit the Art Gallery of NSW and Museum of Contemporary Art – both free!
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Chill in Centennial Park or catch sunset at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for Harbour views on a shoestring.
Melbourne
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Hop on the free tram zone in the CBD.
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Explore street art laneways like Hosier Lane.
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Pack a picnic for the Royal Botanic Gardens or join a free walking tour.
Brisbane
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Swim at Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner-city manmade beach.
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Cruise the river on the CityHopper ferry (totally free).
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Wander through South Bank for free outdoor events and art.
Affordable accommodation options
Finding a bed that doesn’t cost your left kidney? Totally doable. Here’s where to crash if you're travelling on a budget.
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Hostels: Classic backpacker go-to, and not just for bunk beds. Many hostels in Australia have free breakfast, on-site bars, free city tours or pub crawls, and job boards for working holidaymakers. We can hook you up with some great places to stay.
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Working hostels / farm stays: If you're on a Working Holiday visa, you can often stay at these for free or cheap while doing regional work. Bonus: great for meeting other travellers.
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Campsites & campervans: If you’re road-tripping, free and low-cost campsites are everywhere. Apps like WikiCamps or CamperMate are lifesavers. Planning an Aussie road trip? Check out these classic itineraries for inspiration.
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Share houses / long stays: If you're in one spot for a while, check out flat mate groups or websites for cheap weekly rentals (especially in off-peak areas).
Tips for saving on food, transport, and tours
Even little changes can make a big difference. Here’s how to travel Australia cheap without missing the good stuff.
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Cook your own meals: Most hostels have kitchens. Team up with your dorm crew for group dinners—it’s cheaper and way more fun.
- Cheap eats are all around! Here are some of our favourite places in the major cities.
Sydney
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Spice Alley (Chippendale) – This little laneway is packed with hawker-style food stalls serving up everything from Malaysian laksa to Vietnamese BBQ pork rolls. It’s a fave among broke students and travellers for a reason: it’s cheap, it’s delicious, and it feels like a night market in Southeast Asia. You can easily eat for under $15 and BYO drinks too.
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Chinese Noodle House (Haymarket) – This place is a bit of a Sydney backpacker legend. The staff might yell at you and the décor is chaotic (plastic grapes hanging from the ceiling, anyone?), but the handmade dumplings and giant bowls of noodles are seriously good—and seriously cheap. Order the pan-fried pork dumplings and thank us later.
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El Jannah (multiple locations) – Late-night charcoal chicken with extra garlic sauce = heaven. It’s fast, filling, and under $15 for a whole meal. We’ve ended more than one beach day by detouring here before heading back to the hostel.
Melbourne
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N.Lee Bakery (CBD) – This Vietnamese bakery is legendary for its banh mi—crispy baguettes loaded with BBQ pork or lemongrass chicken, crunchy salad, and the perfect hit of chili. You’ll usually spot a queue outside around lunch, but it moves fast. At around $12 a roll, it’s one of the best-value meals in the city, and trust us, once you try it… you’ll go back.
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Om Vegetarian (CBD) – If you need to eat a lot for very little, this is the place. It’s no-frills, but you get a full plate of curry, rice, and naan for cheap, and it’s all-you-can-eat. The vibe is super casual—think students, travellers, and budget legends alike.
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Queen Victoria Market (CBD) – Yeah it’s touristy, but if you time it right (especially just before close), you can grab seriously discounted pastries, deli food, or fresh fruit and snacks. It’s also a fun spot for cheap lunch on the go—we usually hit the hot jam doughnut van at least once per trip.
Brisbane
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Eat Street Northshore – It’s a bit out of the city, but well worth the trip. For a $5 entry fee, you get access to a shipping container food market with stalls from all over the world. Korean fried chicken, Brazilian BBQ, Hungarian langos… it’s a full-on food crawl. Go with mates and share a bunch of dishes to get the most bang for your buck.
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Melt Brothers (CBD) – This is grilled cheese heaven. We're talking crunchy sourdough, gooey cheese, and toppings like mac & cheese or jalapeños for about $12. It's quick, filling, and the perfect hangover cure.
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Govinda’s (CBD or South Bank) – If you're after a wholesome feed on a backpacker budget, this vegetarian spot hits the mark. It’s run by the Hare Krishna community and offers generous portions of veggie curry, rice, and dessert for $12–15. Super friendly staff, too.
Bonus tip: most cities also have weekly markets, cheap eats, and backpacker bars that do $8-10 meal nights and cheap beers/cocktails. In Sydney, we recommend Roys Bar at Wake Up! Sydney Central, one of our favourite hostels.
Transport
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Buses > planes: Intercity buses like Greyhound are cheaper than flying and offer hop-on-hop-off passes made for backpackers. Check out bus passes here.
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Rideshares: Apps like Coseats or just hostel noticeboards can hook you up with people heading the same way.
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Public transport cards: Grab a Myki in Melbourne, Opal in Sydney, or Go Card in Brisbane—they’ll save you money compared to single tickets.
Tours
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Hostel-organised tours: Plenty of hostels organise activities, from pub crawls to food tours. Be sure to check these out, it's a great way to socialise too.
- Do-it-yourself: Some hikes, snorkel spots, or waterfalls don’t need a tour at all—just a bit of research, a packed lunch, and a sense of adventure.
Get yourself a student discount card
If you're a student or under 31 years old, you can apply for an ISIC/IYTC and get access to hundreds of discounts across Australia and the rest of the globe. From hostels to shopping, restaurants to transport, this globally recognised student discount card is your ticket to cheaper travel.