And that goes double for those who like to go abroad with their families. But these days, it can be a bit of a pickle doing so with the primary factor of concern being cost. For families who want to visit Australia, it may seem downright impossible without maxing out a credit card or two.
However, there’s proof out there that it’s highly possible for you and your whole family to head to the “Land Down Under” on a budget. Read on for five key tips to adhere to and plan your Australian getaway with a better piece of mind. For more destination guides and accommodation reviews, check out Trip101.
1. Hit The Road
It might be tempting to rush out and explore Australia with your brood, but bear in mind that it’s the sixth largest country in the world and its own continent. That’s a lot of miles to cover. But if you want to try to see it all and your travel plans are on a long term basis, you might need to look at driving as your best and most affordable option.
It's good to remember that fuel costs differ from state to state – it’s cheaper in the coastal regions but when you get into the interior such as the Northern Territory, it can be higher for regular diesel gasoline.
According to local app MotorMouth the best time to get fuel is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Traveling with a family will also allow you to get an RV for your trip. RV’s are a highly popular sight on the roads in Australia, and the family-friendly campsites and parks there now clock in at close to 200. Try Juicy or Apollo Campers for some choices in that arena.
2. Keep It Comfortable
Traveling with a family brings up one major sticking point – where to rest up after a day’s abundance of activities. Hotels will cost you a pretty penny, especially if you’re looking to venture throughout Australia.
Thankfully, you’ve got a few options that will protect your pockets while letting you truly settle into the experience of living in Australia.
The first is to look at hostels for you and your family to stay in. Youth Hostels Australia has a network of places that are family friendly, and if you get a membership you can get a discount on lodging and even tours. Another option is to book vacation rentals through sites like Airbnb which have a range of properties that will easily accommodate your family no matter how big it is.
The last option ties into the previous point if you’re going to make your way around Australia by car or RV. Camping is a wonderful way to indulge in the natural sights that the country has like Ayers Rock and those found in the Alice Springs region as well as the attractions that can be seen in New South Wales. Check out sites like FindACamp that will help you pick different sites for you and your family to camp out across the country with feedback from prior visitors.
If you are looking for a carefully curated list, check out Trip101 with their large repertoire of recommendations of the best Airbnb in places like Bondi Beach.
3. Eating Inexpensively
When you’re on vacation, you know that sampling all kinds of cuisine is part of the fun. It can also get a bit expensive, and in Australia it’s no different. This gets compounded by traveling with hungry children. Have no fear, you can still enjoy sumptuous meals with your family by doing a couple of things in advance.
Check out all of the restaurants that offer deals to families in every area and city you may visit. If you are getting a vacation rental, you can actually save money by preparing meals and not going out if they have full kitchens.
This is also true with certain hostels as well. A bonus element is that if you go to the supermarket, the receipts will often have savings attached that can help with groceries on return trips as well as fuel discounts.
Plus, there’s various outdoor markets with fresh produce to be had in numerous places in the country and cities. Another tip if you do go out to eat with your children is to do so for breakfast and lunch, which can be less costly overall than eating in the prime evening hours. And lastly, going on a picnic is always a great way to eat and spend time with your family and there’s a plethora of places that are amenable to do so.
4. See Australia’s Wildlife for FREE!
Australia is world renowned for being home to a vast array of wildlife and aquatic life off of its shores. There’s a number of parks and preserves that allow the public to see them up close, but passes for a family at every place will deplete your funds. Luckily, you can see them out and about if you know where to go.
For example, you can catch kangaroos hopping about freely on Pebbly Beach on the South Coast of New South Wales, view wombats in Tasmania or even koalas in the trees along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.
5. Partake in Culture on the Cheap!
Being in Australia also means that you’ll have the opportunity to check out many cultural institutions, some of which are world renowned. Take some time to look up each institution’s website as they have reduced admissions for children and often times there will be free days or hours when you all can visit.
One example is the Art Gallery of New South Wales, located in Sydney which has free admission. Check into one of these family-friendly hotels in Sydney to make your journey a smooth one.
So Finally...
Having a blast in Australia with the family isn’t a daunting task – if you do a lot of research beforehand, save and decide as a group how to get around, it can be more affordable than you realized.
With these tips in hand, you and your loved ones can have the Outback experience of a lifetime without a worry in the world!
Ripper!
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