Explore Australia

Cost To Visit Australia: Complete 2026 Budget Guide

Here’s your complete 2026 travel cost breakdown for the Land Down Under — Australia.

This guide breaks down the travel budget needed to visit Australia and outlines what budget, moderate, and luxury travelers can expect to spend to help you plan your trip.

Is Australia Expensive to Visit?

Australia is one of the more expensive destinations to visit globally. Compared to U.S. travel costs, it’s similar or slightly more expensive in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. However, regional towns and less touristy areas can be much more affordable.

Within Oceania, Australia is more expensive than New Zealand on average and on par with cities like London, New York, or Tokyo when it comes to accommodation and dining in major hubs. That said, the natural beauty, wildlife, and outdoor attractions offer plenty of low-cost or free experiences, especially for budget travelers.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

The cheapest and most expensive times to visit
Where to stay for every budget
The cost of food, attractions, and getting around
Full daily and weekly budget breakdowns
The best day trips and how much they’ll cost

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Seasonal Cost

Australia’s seasons are reversed from the U.S. (Southern Hemisphere), and seasonal costs vary significantly across the country.

Peak Season (December–February)

Summer in Australia: beach season, school holidays, Christmas & New Year’s
Very busy in coastal cities and beach towns
Highest prices for flights, accommodation, and domestic travel
Popular with international tourists

Shoulder Season (March–May, September–November)

Pleasant weather, fewer crowds
Excellent time for wildlife, hiking, and sightseeing
Moderate prices on hotels and tours
Best overall balance of comfort and cost

Off-Season (June–August)

Winter in Australia—cooler in the south, tropical dry season in the north
Cheapest time to visit southern cities like Melbourne or Adelaide
Peak season in the Northern Territory and Queensland (e.g., Darwin, Cairns) due to dry, sunny weather
Ski season in the Snowy Mountains—expect high prices in Thredbo or Perisher

Most Expensive Times To Visit Australia

Christmas & New Year (late December–early January) – sky-high hotel and flight costs
Australian school holidays (December–late January, mid-April, July, September) – prices surge
Major events/festivals – Sydney Mardi Gras (Feb/March), Melbourne Cup (November), Vivid Sydney (June)

Cheapest Months To Visit Australia

May–early June – before winter tourism starts
August (in southern cities) – off-season pricing
October–early November – shoulder season deals
February – hot and humid in some regions, but fewer tourists

🏂 Note for Winter Travelers:
Australia’s ski resorts (Thredbo, Perisher, Mt Buller) operate June–August and have peak pricing in July. The rest of the country sees lower prices, especially in southern cities.

Where You Stay

Accommodation in Australia varies from luxury waterfront hotels to budget hostels and free campgrounds. Your choice of city and neighborhood can drastically affect your costs.

Most Expensive Areas To Stay

Sydney CBD & Harbour Areas
- Luxury hotels with views of the Opera House or Harbour Bridge
- High-end dining and premium attractions
- Near: Circular Quay, The Rocks, Darling Harbour
Byron Bay
- Trendy surf town with eco-luxury resorts and wellness retreats
- Very popular with influencers and digital nomads
- Near: Beaches, hiking trails, waterfalls
Melbourne City Centre / Southbank
- Cultural hub with boutique hotels and 5-star accommodations
- High demand during events
- Near: Federation Square, Arts Precinct, Crown Casino

Affordable Areas To Stay

Newtown (Sydney)
- Hip and creative neighborhood with guesthouses and budget hotels
- Great nightlife and street food scene
- 15 minutes from the city by train
Fitzroy (Melbourne)
- Artsy and alternative suburb with affordable Airbnbs and hostels
- Great for foodies and vintage shoppers
Brisbane South Bank / Fortitude Valley
- Cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne but still central
- Lots of hostels, mid-range hotels, and walkability

Cheapest Areas To Stay

Regional Towns (Wagga Wagga, Townsville, Launceston)
- Far more affordable than cities
- Hostels and motels from AUD $60 / USD $40 per night
Western Suburbs (in major cities)
- Budget motels and Airbnbs, but longer commute
- Not ideal for short stays, better for digital nomads or long-term travelers

Australia Vacation Costs

Here’s what you can expect to spend on the ground.

Average Accommodation Cost (Per Night)

Budget traveler
- Hostel dorms, shared rooms, campsites
- Free camping with self-contained vans
- Some "Work for Stay" options at hostels
Moderate traveler
- 3-star hotels, private Airbnb, mid-range motels
- Includes kitchenettes and often breakfast
Luxury traveler
- 4–5 star hotels, boutique resorts, city-view suites
- Beachfront properties or private lodges in nature

Food Cost (Per Person, Per Day)

Budget
- Groceries, hostel kitchens, fast food (meat pies, kebabs, fish & chips)
- AUD $20–$35 / USD $13–$23
Moderate
- Mix of café brunches, pub meals, and mid-range restaurants
- AUD $50–$80 / USD $33–$53
Luxury
- Fine dining, seafood, rooftop bars, tasting menus
- AUD $120+ / USD $80+

Transportation Cost

Domestic Flights
- Budget airlines (Jetstar, Rex, Virgin) often cheaper than driving long distances
- AUD $60–$250 / USD $40–$170
Car Rental
- Best for road trips and coastal drives
- AUD $60–$100 / USD $40–$66 per day + fuel
Public Transport
- Buses, trains, ferries in cities
- Day passes range from AUD $5–$15 / USD $3–$10
Long-Distance Bus (Greyhound / Firefly)
- Budget way to cross states
- AUD $30–$100 / USD $20–$66
Campervan Rental
- Doubles as accommodation
- AUD $90–$200 / USD $60–$130 per day

Attractions

Sydney Opera House Tour – AUD $45 / USD $30
Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour – AUD $200–$350 / USD $130–$230
Uluru National Park Pass – AUD $38 / USD $25
Wine Tasting (Barossa, Hunter, Margaret River) – AUD $150+ / USD $100+
Taronga Zoo (Sydney) – AUD $51 / USD $34
Scenic Skyrail + Kuranda Railway (Cairns) – AUD $120 / USD $80

Day Trips From Major Cities

From Sydney
- Blue Mountains: Hiking, cliffs, scenic train – AUD $70–$150 / USD $45–$100
- Hunter Valley: Wine tasting – AUD $100–$200 / USD $66–$130
From Melbourne
- Great Ocean Road: Iconic coastal drive – AUD $100–$180 / USD $66–$120
- Phillip Island: Penguin parade – AUD $130 / USD $85
From Cairns
- Great Barrier Reef: Full-day boat/snorkel – AUD $220 / USD $145
- Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation – AUD $180–$220 / USD $120–$145
From Brisbane
- Moreton Island: Sandboarding, dolphin spotting – AUD $150 / USD $100
- Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast: Surf, beaches – AUD $60–$120 / USD $40–$80

Daily Budget (Per Person)

Budget Traveler
- Hostel bed or campervan, grocery meals, public transit
- Free attractions like beaches, parks, museums
- USD $50–$80 per day
Moderate Traveler
- Hotel or private Airbnb, restaurant meals, domestic flight or car rental
- A few paid activities
- USD $100–$160 per day
Luxury Traveler
- 4–5 star hotels, fine dining, private day tours
- Premium car or air travel
- USD $250–$400+ per day

Weekly Budget (7 Days)

Budget Traveler
- Lodging: $250–$400
- Food: $100–$150
- Transport: $100–$200
- Attractions: $50–$100
- Total: $500–$850
Moderate Traveler
- Lodging: $700–$1,000
- Food: $200–$300
- Transport: $200–$300
- Attractions: $150–$250
- Total: $1,250–$1,850
Luxury Traveler
- Lodging: $1,800+
- Food: $400+
- Transport: $400+
- Attractions: $300+
- Total: $2,900+

Seasonal Flight Cost

Flights to Australia are long and often costly from North America. Here's what to expect:

Round-trip from major U.S. cities to Sydney/Melbourne in 2026:

Peak Season: $1,400–$1,800
Shoulder Season: $1,000–$1,400
Off-Season: $800–$1,100

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