How To Road Trip Cheaply In Australia

Gabby Boucher

May 30th, 2024

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7 minute read

It's very possible to road trip cheaply in Australia if you combine cheap car or campervan hire with free camping spots, budget home-cooked meals, and free activities! Many people believe Australia to be a super expensive country, but it can actually be very affordable if you use money-saving hacks and enjoy the free activities and natural wonders. 

Here is a complete guide to road tripping in Australia and how to do it cheaply!

How To Road Trip Cheaply In Australia

To road trip cheaply in Australia, you just have to cut costs on vehicle hire, camping or accommodation, meals, and activities. It's really easy to road trip Australia on a budget with some basic budgeting tips that we'll cover in-depth shortly. 

Before you hit the road in Australia, it's important to plan the perfect itinerary as well. You can easily estimate your travel time frame and costs better if you have a specific start and end destination. Check out our itinerary planner or our East Coast Inspiration articles so you can decide which gorgeous Australian locations you want to hit on your road trip!

Is it cheaper to fly or drive in Australia?

Flying can be cheaper than driving in Australia if you're travelling a long distance, but driving can be cheaper for shorter distances. It depends on how far you want to travel! Flying is ideal for those who are short on time. For example, driving from Sydney to Cairns can take at least 2 days but flying only takes 3 hours. On the other hand, driving from Sydney to Byron Bay or Melbourne takes about 1 day, whereas flying takes 1 hour. 

Australia is just so massive and distances between cities are vast. So driving takes much longer and you have to pay for fuel, food, and accommodation along the way. That said, driving is a much more immersive and exciting experience. If you fly from Sydney to Cairns, you miss all the gorgeous stops in between. But if you take a few weeks to make the drive, you might spend more on the journey but you'll have an unforgettable adventure!

How long do you need to drive around Australia?

The time it takes to drive around Australia depends on your chosen destination. To follow up on the previous example, driving from Sydney to Cairns is over 3,000km. An ideal time frame for this road trip would be at least 3 or 4 weeks so you can enjoy all the best beaches, towns, and national parks along the way. Driving from Sydney to Melbourne is over 1,000km, so you would probably want at least a few days or 1 week to make this drive. 

To drive around all of Australia, most people recommend around one year! It's easy to underestimate how gigantic this country is, so it's always better to give yourself more time than you think you need for a road trip. 

What is the cheapest way to drive around Australia?

The cheapest way to drive around Australia is to get a cheap car or campervan and camp along the way! If you are driving a car, consider buying some secondhand camping gear on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree so you can save money on accommodation. If you're in a campervan, your overnight camping setup should already be included. Fuel and driving costs are unavoidable, so you can make your road trip cheaper by having a solid camping setup and by living cheaply!

Ways To Save Money on Your Australia Road Trip

Now let's get into the specifics of how to road trip Australia cheaply. Here is how to secure a cheap vehicle, plan your budget accommodation, and live affordably day to day. With these tips, you can have the ultimate East Coast Australia road trip without spending all your savings!

Hire or buy a cheap car or campervan

To road trip around Australia, you need a good vehicle! It's up to you whether you want a car or a campervan. Campervans are more expensive, but they include all your camping gear and cooking supplies, saving you more money in the long run. If you get a car, you'll have to either supply your own camping gear or book hostels and hotels to stay in along the way. 

Many people also wonder if buying a vehicle is cheaper than renting one. If you're just doing a short road trip for one month or less, it's much easier to rent. But if you're planning a mega road trip for a few months or longer, you may prefer to buy. Just be prepared to have the vehicle for a while at the end of the road trip in case it doesn't sell immediately, and take extra costs into account like insurance and vehicle registration. 

• To hire a vehicle: View our list of campervans or contact our travel agents for the best deals
• To buy a vehicle: Check Facebook Marketplace, Carsales, or Gumtree for cheap secondhand vehicles

Find free or cheap campsites and hostels

After securing your vehicle, you'll need somewhere to stay each night. Camping is the cheapest form of accommodation you can find while road-tripping in Australia. And it's an amazing way to connect with nature! Whether you're camping in your van or setting up a tent, look for either free or cheap campsites along the East Coast of Australia. You can't just set up a camp anywhere in Australia, so make sure you find registered campsites and pay any necessary fees for the duration of your road trip. 

If you're not into camping, you can also stay in hostels along the East Coast. These are the next cheapest places to stay, followed by holiday cabins, caravan parks, glamping locations, and more. But if you seek out free or cheap campsites and hostels, you'll find each night to be much more affordable than staying in a hotel or resort. 

Eating on a budget in Australia

Another way to make your Australia road trip cheaper is by eating on a budget. That means shopping at the local grocery stores or markets and cooking most of your own meals instead of dining out. Most campervans are decked out with necessary cooking supplies, and many campgrounds have public BBQs or even shared kitchen facilities you can use. 

If you're road-tripping in a car, you can stay in hostels that have kitchen facilities so you can cook. If you really have no way of cooking, you can still dine out on a budget during your road trip. Lots of eateries in Australia have lunch specials, so try to eat lunch out instead of dinner to save money. Or opt for picnics and make easy, cheap meals like sandwiches and wraps. It is possible to eat on a budget in Australia during your road trip, just put in that extra effort to prepare your own meals and you'll save so much money!

Prioritise free activities and cheap tours

During your Australia road trip, you can have a blast and save money by choosing free activities and cheap tours. Many of Australia's most beautiful attractions are free, including beaches, national parks, waterfalls, museums, landmarks, lookouts, and more. You can spend most of your time enjoying free activities like swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking, and sightseeing so you don't spend a fortune during your road trip. 

Some activities on Australia's East Coast cost money, but the experiences you get will be absolutely priceless. You'll want to seize every opportunity and make the most of your time Down Under, so don't miss out on anything! Whether it's skydiving, sailing, scuba diving, sandboarding, or any other magical experience, you can find affordable tours that are 100% worth the money!

Browse our available campervans or read more about campervan travel in Australia! You can also live chat with our experts if you need help planning your ultimate Australia road trip.