Cost to Travel Australia: A Straight-Up Budget Guide for Backpackers & Working Holiday Makers
- Aug 20, 2025
- 2 min read
Australia has a reputation for costing more than Southeast Asia. That’s true, but with a plan it offers great value, and a Working Holiday can even top up your funds while you explore. Use this quick breakdown to set a realistic budget and spot easy savings.
Accommodation
If you’re here for a few weeks or a full year, beds are your most consistent expense.
Hostel dorms: usually $20–$40 AUD per night. In peak periods such as Christmas and New Year, expect $50+.
Private rooms in hostels: about $80–$200 AUD per night.
Share-house rooms: for longer stays, the weekly cost is often similar to a week in dorms, but you get your own room and fewer people sharing facilities.
Travel Club tip: Share your route and dates. We’ll suggest hostels with decent kitchens and help you plan around high-price weeks.
Transport
There’s more than one smart way to cover the big distances.
Greyhound (easy and affordable)
For most travellers the Greyhound network is the simplest and most cost-effective way to move along the East Coast. Hop-on/hop-off passes from Sydney to Cairns start around $265 AUD. You keep flexibility without surprise costs.
Campervans (best with friends)
Road-tripping is a classic Aussie move. Split a van with your crew and the rental can work out to from about $20 AUD per person, per day when shared. Remember to budget fuel and insurance on top.
Travel Club tip: We sell both Greyhound passes and campervans. Tell us your group size and timeframe, and we’ll price the option that fits, then map realistic drive times so you’re not chasing sunset every day.
Meals
Food can swing your spend more than you think.
Cook to save: shop at local markets or Aldi/Coles/Woolworths and use hostel kitchens. If you self-cater, you can eat well for about $10–$15 AUD per day. Many hostels include free brekkie such as toast and cereal.
Eating out: pub meals are often $15–$30, breakfast spots $10–$20 for smaller plates.
Quick and cheap: deals still exist, for example Domino’s from $5 or Subway under $10 for a filler between buses.
Tours & Activities
Decide on your must-dos before you go so you don’t miss out or blow the budget elsewhere.
List your bucket-list tours, price them, and lock the dates.
Many tours include meals. Day trips commonly include lunch plus a snack. Multi-day adventures such as K’gari (Fraser Island) or the Whitsundays often include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Travel Club tip: We can bundle headline tours with your transport so pickups, overnights and costs line up neatly.
The Bottom Line
Australia can be affordable if you plan ahead. Cook most meals, book high-demand weeks early, and choose the right transport for your route. On a Working Holiday you can offset costs while you travel.
Need a hand?
Travel Club can help you plan, budget and book the East Coast, including Greyhound passes, campervans, hostels and big-ticket tours, so you know your costs up front. Message Travel Club for a free chat and custom quote.
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