Travelling Australia on a budget?

Planning your budget for Australia? There’s no denying that Australia can be expensive.

International flights can be pricey already. And then of course, there’s the cost of interstate flights, entry tickets, accommodation, spending money and everything else in between!

If you’re getting ready for Aussie travel, planning your budget is important. And the chances are, you’ll be organising your dollars so that they stretch as far as possible.

Transport options in Australia

• Drive yourself
• Trains (more suitable for in-state travel)
• Flights
• Greyhound or long-haul buses/coaches

Why you might hire a car in Australia

Australia is a vast country, with lots of empty bushland in between cities. If you’re travelling to a tourist attraction from a city, you’ll 100% need a set of wheels to get there.

You might be considering hiring a car or van for the day and driving yourself to the beauty spots in Australia.

Driving yourself in Australia will allow you to get around to the beauty spots and sights you want to see at your own pace.

This is a great option for those who want to have their own adventure. If you’re exploring Australia on a long-term trip, driving yourself is a great option. You’ll be able to experience Australia at your own pace.

Perhaps you’re picking up a car from the Melbourne CBD and travelling to the Great Ocean Road by yourself? Cool! The views are great, and the drive is epic.

But does hiring a car save you money?

But what about the cost? Well, let’s say you’re doing the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne.

• The average cost of fuel for a round trip = $100.
• The average cost of car hire = $75.
• Extra spending (e.g. tea and coffee, food, entry fees into National Parks)

Not only is it a better value, but you’d be able to enjoy the scenery too. Imagine if you could soak up the views without having to put your feet on the pedals, and no hands on the wheel – with your full attention on the scenery?

Now, we might be a bit biased – but we reckon doing a tour gets you the best value, and you’ll be able to soak up the views and add to your experience.

How much would it cost to drive myself to…

Regional travel might be complicated, especially if you’re trying to get to a specific spot…For example, getting public transport to the 12 Apostles is quite difficult unless you want to travel on multiple buses! It’s doable – but it’s tricky.

Save hassle, save money…Do a tour

What is the average cost of hiring a car, per day, from Melbourne?

$75 on average, you’d be able to pick up and return a hire car on the same day. Then, of course, there’s the cost of fuel on top.

This means travelling to a particular station where you can pick up the hire car, and then dropping it off in a particular location.

Things to remember about driving in Australia:

• We drive on the left-hand side of the road
• We give way to the right
• To hire a car, you need to have the correct license (international licenses have to be translated)