Going on a road trip in Australia is a dream come true, but it’s something that you definitely have to plan for. Even if you intend to cook your own meals and only camp in free camping spots etc, you’re still going to end up spending quite a bit of money, so budgeting is key. In this article, we’ll bring you through all the things you’ll likely have to pay for (before you set off and during your trip) so you can get an idea of how much you need to have saved.
Table of Contents
Formalities: Visa and plane ticket
Visa
In order to enter Australian territory, you must have a visa. There are a few different options available, depending on whether you are a simply a tourist looking to explore the continent, a backpacker hoping to travel and work, or you’re a student.
Here are the 3 most commonly used visa options:
| Visa | Length | Cost | For | Processing time |
| Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417 | 1 year | $650 | For people between 18 to 35 years old (or 30 years). It allows you to have an extended holiday in Australia and work here to fund your trip. | From a few hours to 4 months |
| Tourist Visa eVisitor subclass 651 | 3 months | Free | Allows you to go to Australia on holidays, visit friends/family, undergo training or study and conduct short professional research. | 1 to 6 days |
| Student Visa Subclass 500 | 3 months to 5 years | $1600 | This visa allows you to study in Australia, bring your family members with you, and work limited hours in any sector. | A few weeks |
Flight ticket
The first thing to do is to compare different websites and airlines. If you are flexible, don’t hesitate to look at flights on different days as fares vary from day to day.
Good flight comparison websites include Skyscanner, Opodo, Edreams or even Kayak.
A flight from Europe to Australia takes no less than 24 hours. You will have a stopover in one of the following countries: Singapore, India, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia or Thailand. The airlines that commonly operate on these flights are: Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.
Be aware that prices are often a rollercoaster ride and change from day to day. You can find a great fare by searching on Monday and the same journey is €300 more expensive the next day. To avoid this, you can turn to a travel agency. They will be able to find you the cheapest flights on the market for a small agency fee.
A few tips: be flexible (regarding your departure date and airport, as well as on your city of arrival), do your online research in Incognito mode on your browser to avoid cookies, and time your trip for an off-peak time of the year. You should buy your plane ticket at least two months in advance, and on Tuesday or Thursday between 1 and 4 am.
Average fare for a return flight from London to Sydney: About €1400/person for a 24-hour flight. This rate can easily double depending on the time of year.
Family road trip budget
Accommodation
You should stay in Sydney for 3 or 4 nights and book a hotel or Airbnb.
For 3 nights at the Hyde Park Inn or The Ultimo: budget minimum $190/person/night. Both hotels are located in the central business district (CBD), which is a good starting point for touring Sydney.
For 3 nights Airbnb at York & George: $200/person/night. The good thing about Airbnb is that you will usually have access to a kitchen, so you don’t have to go out to eat.
Then, it’s time to rent a motorhome to explore the east coast. Best way is to book a night in Cairns before your flight home. As an example, for 1 night at the Coral Tree Inn it is $100pp.
Motorhome Rental
Most rental companies are located near the airport. So you’ll need to use public transport or a taxi / Uber to get there.
The main rental agencies (which you will obviously find in Cairns) are: Travellers Autobarn (5% OFF with PROMO CODE:GUIDEEN) Britz, Apollo Campervans, Jucy Rentals and Cruisin Motorhome.
The price will vary depending on a number of factors: type of vehicle (number of seats, facilities such as shower and toilet, range), season, length of rental, booking deadlines, etc.
The average price of a daily rental (in October/November) for a 4 person motorhome (2 adults and 2 children): $150 with Jucy Rentals, $200 with Britz, $330 with Apollo Campervans and with Cruisin Motorhome. On average, you will have to pay no less than $200/day for a rental in the spring.
To help you further in your search, see our article dedicated to motorhome rental in Sydney.
Daily expenses (fuel, activities, extras)
These expenses are quite subjective, everything will depend on you and your desires, as well as your route :
Petrol
A trip from Sydney to Cairns is 2415km. The current price of petrol is between $1.90 and $2.20 (you’ll find higher prices the further away you are from civilisation and the closer you are to the bush).
Assuming the average price per litre is $1.90, and you drive 120km/day for 30 days. You will then spend $250/day. This is the maximum budget you could reach during your road trip.
Restaurant
Expect to spend 160$ to 280$ on meals out (1 to 2 dinners at a restaurant per week for four people with an average price of 40$pp).
Outings and activities
In order to plan ahead and enjoy yourself, we advise you to budget at least $1200/person. The coast is full of activities and outings of all kinds: boat/yacht trips, jet skiing, parachuting, seaplane or helicopter flights, scuba diving, trips to the Whitsundays, surfing lessons, fishing trips and much more.
4WD road trip budget
Petrol
Plan the same budget as the one above.
Insurance
Allow between 2$ and 3$ for insurance/day.
Vehicle Maintenance
Generally speaking, 0$ if your vehicle has been checked before your road trip (remember to do a check-up, it is important). In case you break down, prices are very random depending on the origin of the problem.
Outings and activities
As mentioned, we advise you to stretch your budget as far as possible and to allow a minimum of $1200 for this unforgettable road trip. It is better to have a little more money on hand just in case and not to deprive yourself.
Camping
If you don’t mind sleeping in a free camp then you are already sure to save money on this point! We advise you to download the WikiCamps Australia phone app. (8€) or Campermates (free). It will allow you to know all the campsites and sleeping areas where you are.
Food
If you eat only home-cooked meals, you should expect to pay a minimum of $70/week. For a restaurant meal/week, add an average of $50 and for fast food about $25.
Excursions and activities
The East Coast is full of incredible and unmissable activities! As we have budgeted for this, you don’t have to choose which ones you like best… you can try them all! To get the best rates, try to book in advance on the Internet or to go directly to the agency (the day before or the day of the tour). With this second option, of course you are taking some risks: high rates and/or unavailability (especially during the high season).
Here is a list of the main activities you should not miss:
The prices below are per person and may vary according to seasonality.
- Blue Mountains (abseiling day or canyoning): from $95/person. For more info and to book
- Fraser Island (2 day coach tour): $400/person. For more information & booking.
- Whitsunday Island (2 day cruise from Airlie Beach): from $300/person. For more information & booking.
- Airlie Beach SkyDive: from $250/person. Additionnal fees for photos & video. For more information & booking.
- Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling and/or Diving Day: from $150/person for snorkelling + $7 tax to be paid locally. For more information & reservations.
- Magnetic Island (Return Ferry Transfer Townsville to Magnetic Island): from $40. For more information & reservations.
Visit the Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville: $45/person.
Daintree Rainforest Crocodile Encounter Cruise: $40/person. For more information & reservations.
Additional costs
Magnetic Island Ferry
There are two options: you can walk to the island as a passenger, or you can take your own vehicle. On foot, the round trip fare is $30/person. With your vehicle, the cost is approx. $2″0/person depending on the season.
Magnetic Island Bus Day Pass: $7/person.
Daintree Rainforest Ferry
As for getting to Magnetic Island, you have two options. On foot, the ferry will cost you a modest $4/person. With your own vehicle, the fare is $40/person.
