Travel Budget for Cities inAustralia

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself at a lack of entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island to view the penguin parade.

Although Melbourne is quite large, you'll find most of the sights in close proximity within the city center. There is no need to rent a car while visiting Melbourne as there is a successful public transit system known at Metlink. Metlink includes trams, trains and buses that will likely get you anywhere you need in the city with little hassle. If you're planning to be in Melbourne for less than five days, purchase day passes which are about $7 to stay within Zone 1. Do keep in mind that on weekends single ticket fares are cheaper and it may not be worth purchasing a full day ticket. Evaluate ahead of time before you commit.

Food in Melbourne is very diverse, international, and somewhat expensive. The service is generally quite good and a ten percent tip is the norm. If you receive excellent service a higher tip is always appreciated, and if you are unhappy with the service you receive, this can also be reflected in your tip. Restaurant options are plentiful and you'll find some of the more touristy options in the Carlton area. Southbank and Victoria Street also have many options. In the Richmond area you'll find the most budget options which include Vietnamese and Southeast Asian restaurants. If you're looking for Middle Eastern food head to Sydney Road in Brunswick and Coburg.

For most, the purpose of a trip to Cairns it to visit the Great Barrier Reef. The city itself is surprisingly large and cosmopolitan with a population of approximately 140,000. The city's economy is almost exclusively based on tourism, although you will find some jobs centered around agriculture, specifically sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea, wine, and some tropical fruits. The city itself is surrounded by rainforest and as such is a great base for exploring Kuranda, with the Barron Gorge National Park and the Daintree, a quieter tropical getaway than Cairns.

Because Cairns is such a popular destination for all travel types you will find no shortage of facilities in the form of hotels, hostels, restaurants, bars and clubs. If you're looking for a great nightlife, there is always a place open to grab and drink or join in some festivities. It is important to realize there is no swimming beach in the central Cairns area. The ocean is actually more of a mud flat. There is a large lagoon style pool in the middle of the city that is quite popular year around. When you head either north or south of the city, there is a much wider selection of swimming beaches.

A quieter alternative is to stay outside of Cairns at a beach side resort, of which there is no shortage. It is just a easy to book a snorkeling or scuba diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef, and you will miss some of the crowd and chaos of the city. These resorts may actually be more expensive, but they often include many amenities and offer a wonderful spa style vacation.

People head to Cairns not only for the parties but for the adventure sports as well. While you're in the area definitely try your hand at skydiving and off course scuba diving. If you're flexible, the best way to same some money is to go standby. Wait for a cancellation and you could save yourself upwards of $150 on the more expensive activities.

Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is perhaps most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early eighties and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs.

When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs than how it is done elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.

In addition to having Uluru, Alice Spring's surrounding landscape is quite fascinating. It is made up of gorges and desert features that are striking in color, particularly at sunrise and sunset. There are also Aboriginal communities with a fascinating and very informative history which they are eager to share. Visitors should also consider heading to Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon in addition to the famed Uluru.

You can reach Alice Springs by plane, train, bus, or private car. Obviously the easiest way to travel to Alice Springs is by plane. There are flights in to Alice Springs from many major cities, but do note that Uluru actually has its own airport so if you're making a quick trip simply to see the rock, do not bother passing through Alice Springs.

Train tickets are actually more expensive than flights. The Ghan is the private tourist train that makes the trip from Adelaide and is quite and enjoyable experience, although not cheap. It does continue on to Darwin.

If you're planning to drive, you can expect a 17 hour trip from Darwin and an 18 hour trip from Adelaide. Coming from Adelaide, the Stuart Highway is in good condition and will pass through several towns including Coober Pedy.

Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern, and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has much to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful, warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.

There are a good number of districts throughout Brisbane, many of which have something interesting to offer visitors. The Central Business District, in addition to having much of the city's businesses, also has some great shopping. South Bank has the highest concentration of ethnic restaurants as well as the Performing Arts Centre and Queensland Museum among other things. Fortitude Valley has Brisbane's interesting Chinatown area as well as some great nightlife and lively bars. West End is a bohemian district with lots of interesting cafes and shops. New Farm is a more upscale area for eating and shopping.

It's easy to reach most places in Brisbane by public transportation. If you're planning to stay in the Central Business District then it's easiest to simply walk everywhere. There are almost no hills in this area and the street structure is relatively easy to understand, so it is not to challenging to find your way around. Buses, ferries, or trains will take you almost anywhere else you need in town.

There are a handful of places to visit in Brisbane so consider how much time you have and create yourself and itinerary. Just outside of town is the Alma Park Zoo. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a great place to visit as well. Also consider going by the Manly Boat Harbour, Queensland Cultural Centre, and City Botanic Gardens, all of which make for an interesting place to stop off.

Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe and has everything from traditionally Asian style markets and culturally diverse events ranging from concerts to festivals to art shows. Because Darwin is set in a tropical climate, you'll find it has two seasons, a dry season between May and October, and a wet season between November and April. While rare, the city is occasionally struck by cyclones.

To truly take advantage of being in Darwin, you really need to have a car. Most of the destinations are spread out, and parking is readily available, so driving around the area to explore is the most recommended options. If you don't have access to a car, there is a bus system that will help you reach the attractions that are closer to the city. Some sights may be within walking distance, but without a car, you will miss many of the popular activities in Darwin.

Some of the most popular places to visit in Darwin include the Darwin Wharf Precinct, Fannie Bay Gaol, Burnett House at Myilly Point, and Adelaide River War Cemetery. Also be sure and visit Bicentennial Park, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Lake Alexander, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and Northern Territory Parliament House. There are some truly fascinating natural settings around the city and it's recommended, if you have access to a car, you do some day trips from town and explore the nearby parks and reserves. After all, much of the appeal of Australia is this country's unique environment and nature.

Because of the area's great multicultural heritage, there are some really wonderful markets where you can buy some locally made handicrafts. This is a great city to pick up some aboriginal souvenirs or one of a kind works of art. Even if you're not shopping for something to by, many of the markets are worth taking a stroll through just to look. Some of the more popular markets include the Tiwi Art Network, Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery, and Casuarina Square.

South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay ends up on most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The are is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has awesome scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere. Do be prepared to sit in traffic as you wait to arrive or leave this town, especially in the peak summer months. If traffic is particularly bad, consider coming into town by Ross Lane to the south side. If the tourist crowds get to be too much for you, the Suffolk Park area is a calmer alternative and is only a five minute drive away.

The town itself has an eclectic vibe and many of the local residents make their living as artists, writers, or alternative and holistic healers. You may find yourself surprisingly drawn to the area, and don't be surprised if you end up lingering longer than you originally intended. You won't be the first.

There are some interesting annual events and festivals in town and these include the East Coast Blues and Roots Music Festival, which takes place over Easter weekend, the Splendour in the Grass Music Festival in July, and Schoolies in November or December, which celebrates the end of the school year. It's better to avoid the crowds during Schoolies, as prices skyrocket and facilities become overrun.

Don't make a trip to Byron Bay without participating in some of the great beach activities. Most popular are whale watching in September or October, surfing, diving, snorkeling, and of course, swimming. You'll find no shortage of activities here so come prepared to do more than lounge on the beach and soak up the sun.

Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the areas beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers. If you're really looking to experience the community, buy tickets to one of the sporting events, as most locals are avid sports fans. Consider going to watch the Newcastle Knights rugby team, or you could find tickets to football (soccer), ice hockey or even a netball game.

You can travel around Newcastle on buses and ferries, although, if you really want to see everything the area has to offer, you do need a car. There are plenty of car rental companies around town and the prices are generally competitive.

Major sights within Newcastle include Christ Church Cathedral, the Obelisk, Fort Scratchley, the Lock Up Cultural Centre, the Newcastle Region Art Gallery, and King Edward Park.

Like any big city, you'll find any variety of restaurants around town. If you're really on a tight budget, fast food options abound and are likely to be the cheapest available food. You can also find affordable pizza and sandwiches around town. Other options, if you're willing to spend more money, include seafood, Chinese, and Thai, among many other things. There are also plenty of bars where you can grab a drink, and some good clubs with dancing and drinks.

Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today include families that are carrying out a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.

You really come to Coffs Harbour for the beach and the ocean, but there are a handful of sights, not least of which is the Big Banana. It is, literally, a big banana and you can pull off the road and have your photo taken at this famous landmark. There are also a few shops to pick up tacky tourist souvenirs or buy yourself a banana smoothie. Other sights of interest in town include Pet Porpoise Pool, where you can see dolphins and seals, the Butterfly House, which houses an indoor rainforest, and a Creek-side Boardwalk with a nearby botanical garden.

There are several beaches where you can swim or sun bath, but the main beach in town is Park Beach. You'll also find a well protected beach that's great for small children just inside Coffs Creek.

There are a handful of markets around town where you can buy anything from beach cloths and supplies to cheesy tourist souvenirs. There are also plenty of restaurants that range from budget to high end. You can find anything from seafood to barbeque, or you can grab a drink at any of the many cafes and coffee bars around town. There's also a great juice bar if that's more your style. You'll also find accommodations ranging from hostels to family oriented hotels. The prices are highly variable as well, but it is possible to get a good deal at a more affordable place to stay, particularly if you stay farther from the beach.

Rockhampton is a city dating back to 1855 in Queensland, Australia. With it's current population sitting at 59,000, historically Rockhampton's economy was driven by gold, mining, and agriculture. Today it feels more bustling than you would expect in an "outback town." There's traffic, suburban growth, and continuing growth and development.

The Rockhampton Airport is the easiest way to arrive in the city, with regular flights arriving from Brisbane and Sydney among other cities. Alternatively, you can drive into town on a quality road. Expect a seven or eight hour drive from Brisbane. You can also arrive by train from Brisbane, with six trains a week making the journey. Once you're in Rockhampton it is best to have access to a car to the explore the area. Roads outside of town are almost all paved and high quality. There are plenty of rental car companies in town and you will have your choice of vehicles.

There are plenty of sights around town, but some of the most popular include Rockhampton Zoo, which is best visited at 3:00 during feeding time, the Botanic Gardens, just outside the zoo, the Rockhampton Heritage Village, with some fascinating historical buildings, Dreamtime Cultural Centre, which displays local, aboriginal artwork, and Mount Etna Caves National Park, which offers guided tours of the area's interesting caves. Another interesting place to visit is the Koorona Crocodile Farm, where you can view crocodiles and then enjoy a crocodile based dish in the cafe. Prices are extraordinarily high, with main dishes costing you more the $20. It is possible to arrange a tour of the facility, and this will likely give you the best deal.

You don't typically come to Rockhampton for the nightlife, but you will find four nightclubs located at the Quay Street end of William Street. You will also find no shortage of bars around town where you can buy yourself a drink. Prices can be high, which is to be expected given the isolated nature of the city.

Airlie Beach offers the closest port to the Whitsunday Islands along the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland Australia. It's a small town of only 25,000 and has grown out of the area's popularity as a tourist destination. It's main industry remains tourism and as such there are many venues set up to accommodate travelers hoping to make trips to the Whitsunday Islands and the Outer Great Barrier Reef. While in the past, Airlie Beach appealed specifically to the backpacker crowd, it's popularity has spread and now there are facilities catering to all travel types. Even so, you'll still find no shortage of affordable accommodation around town.

If you arrive in Airlie Beach hoping to make your way to the islands, Abel Point Marina is where you'll find the boats. The marina is about a fifteen minute walk away from Shute Harbour Road.

The main drag in town where you'll find most of the affordable accommodation is called Airlie Beach proper. The developments stretches out to Cannonvale to the west of the strip. You'll also find ferries leaving for the Whitsunday Islands from the Julilee Pocket and Shute Harbour suburbs.

There are buses in town that connect the airport terminal with Airlie beach, but it is important that you purchase tickets before boarding at a booth inside the arrival gate. Tickets cost $15. Alternatively you could take a taxi which also costs about $15 per person.

Airlie Beach itself is not the best beach destination. The beaches themselves are overrun with jellyfish and you do not want to swim without a stinger suit to protect you. Instead, it is better to use Airlie Beach as a jumping off point to make your way to the Whitsunday Islands.

There are plenty of restaurants around town that are varying in price. They typically are set up to cater to tourists and as such the quality is usually not the best and the prices more than you might pay elsewhere. If you search hard you might be able to find a couple gems among the rest so read up on some reviews so you know what you're looking for.

A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach line stretches for miles and there is a endless supply of never ending parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and an endless supply of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers come from around the world, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.

If you're going to Surfers Paradise to swim or sit in the sun then the best time to visit is sometime between October or March, when weather is at its warmest. Even if you don't mind the crowds, it's still best to avoid the time between mid November and early December, known as "Schoolies" when thousands of teenagers flock to the area to celebrate the end of high school.

Sticking with the theme of crazy tourism, Surfers Paradise has no shortage of theme parks, water parks, and wildlife parks. There are countless places willing to help you part with your money for some extreme thrills. You can, of course, try your hand at surfing, diving, snorkeling, or windsurfing, among other things. As for restaurants, there are plenty of places offering cheap eats that are low quality but quite affordable, catering specifically to the low budget backpacker. If you're looking for a nightclub, of course there are plenty, but you'll find the highest concentration night along Orchid Avenue just off the main strip of Cavil Avenue.

You'll also find no shortage of hostels in Surfers Paradise, but if you're traveling here during peak season it is best to have reservations ahead of time.

Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes Serbian, Croatian, Italian, Turkish among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the cities restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.

If you don't have access to a car, the northern suburbs along the coast are accessible by train. Trains run roughly hourly and, depending on the station, it is possible to walk to Wollongong's central business district and nearby beaches without taking a taxi. If you're hoping to see more of Wollongong or any of the surrounding areas you really do need to have access to a car as regional public transportation is extremely limited.

In all, Wollongong has about 17 different beaches you can enjoy, particularly in the summer months when the weather is the warmest. North Beach is probably the most popular beach, but City (South) Beach has nice sand is closer to the city center. Austinmer is a quiet cove with a small beach. You'll also find restaurants and cafes nearby. Towradgi is one of the less crowded beaches, so if you're looking for peace and quiet, head here. On the south side of the city you can choose from Port Kembla and Windang, among others.

If you want to explore the area, there are some good bicycling routes. Some of the routes will give you some great coastal views and a wonderful tour of the area and its scenery. Alternatively, if you're more the mountain biking type there are a handful of places you can go to do that as well.

Adelaide is the often overlooked capital city of the South Australia. Despite being skipped by most travelers, Adelaide is an interesting city to explore and has a decent amount to offer open minded travelers. It has some fascinating architecture, unique shopping, and wonderful cafes and restaurants. Part of the appeal of Adelaide is its location in the midst of Australia's wine regions, including McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley. Any of these destinations could be visited as a day trip from Adelaide.

If you're motivated to visit Adelaide, you'll find it at least a day's drive from any other capital city in Australia. The closest is Melbourne, which you can drive to in about eight or nine hours. There is an international airport which is the easiest and fastest way to reach Adelaide, although flights can be expensive. The most expensive and time consuming option is to take the train. There are several routes that arrive at Adelaide and they can be enjoyable, but tickets are more expensive than flights.

If you're planning to stay in the city center, you can walk to most of your destinations, but to go anywhere outside the city center you'll have to take public transportation or drive. The public transportation system is quite good and reliable, so you do not need a car to visit Adelaide.

A great time to visit Adelaide is during the festival season, referred to as "Mad March." During this time you'll have the opportunity to go to any number of festivals, including the Adelaide Fringe, the Clipsal 500 Car race, the Adelaide Festival, WOMADdelaide, The Adelaide Cup horseracing carnival and the touring Soudwave and Future Music Festivals. If you don't find yourself in Adelaide during festival time, there are still a number of sights to visit. These include Montefiore Hill, for its view of the city, Hahndorf, a nearby German settlement, North Terrace, which has many museums and shops worth visiting.