Is Australia Expensive?

Is Australia expensive to visit?

Australia is a moderately priced travel destination. Compared to the rest of the Pacific, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced country to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of countries in the Pacific for its travel costs, and is comparable to places like New Zealand and French Polynesia.

As this is a very popular country for tourists, you'll find a number of great places in Australia to visit, all at a variety of price ranges. Some of the most expensive places to visit are Melbourne, Fraser Island, and Sydney. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit places like Torquay, Newcastle, and Cairns.


Average daily price of selected cities in Australia, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Sydney $273
Fraser Island $207
Melbourne $176
Rockhampton $170
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) $151
Airlie Beach $141
Byron Bay $139
Canberra $133
Adelaide $110
Surfers Paradise $104
Gold Coast $98
Alice Springs $95
Cairns $95
Newcastle $91
Torquay $86


Alice Springs Telegraph Station

How expensive is Australia?

On average, visitors spend about $162 per day during their visit to Australia (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Australia here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Australia?

A one week trip to Australia costs about $1,134 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,267.

How expensive is a two week trip to Australia?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Australia costs around $2,267 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $4,535.

How expensive is a month long trip to Australia?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Australia will cost around $4,859 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $9,717.



Gold Coast, Queensland

Is it expensive to backpack in Australia?

Australia is a popular backpacker destination with more than 210 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $24 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in Australia here.) In particular, many backpackers head to Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns. You'll find the most expensive hostels in Brisbane and Byron Bay, which average $30 and $29 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Perth and Adelaide which average $22 and $21 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Australia.

  • $26 for a dorm bed at Wake Up! Sydney Central in Sydney
  • $26 for a dorm bed at Flinders Backpackers Melbourne in Melbourne
  • $27 for a dorm bed at Travellers Oasis in Cairns

Where to find affordable hostels in Australia
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Sydney 54 $25
Melbourne 28 $24
Cairns 17 $22
Brisbane 14 $30
Perth 13 $22
Byron Bay 8 $29
Surfers Paradise 7 $24
Adelaide 6 $21

Are hotels expensive in Australia?

From our analysis of hotel prices in Australia, we can see that they are moderate in cost and have somewhat average prices compared to other countries. The average rate for a room is approximately $123 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like Noosa Heads commanding a higher average of $394 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Brisbane, Perth, and Rockhampton, where hotel prices average around $95, $93, and $83 per night.


Where to find affordable hotels in Australia
City Average Hotel Price
Noosa Heads $394
Byron Bay $293
Fraser Island $159
Darwin $144
Katoomba $131
Canberra $122
Adelaide $97
Sydney $96
Brisbane $95
Perth $93
Rockhampton $83

182 - 182 Falls Road, Melbourne
Overall Rating 9.6
767-769 George Street, Sydney
Overall Rating 9.7


The Ghan, near Darwin (Great Southern Rail)

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Australia?

In Australia, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $31 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

    • Yarra Valley grazing tour with Champagne Brunch at Chandon: $166
    • Half-Day Jervis Bay Sea Kayak Tour: $93
    • Easy Bike Tour - Mt Wellington Summit Descent & Rainforest Ride: $99
    • Ile Des Phoques and Maria Island Cruise and Walk Day Tour with Lunch: $179
    • Private Tour: Sydney City Highlights & Hidden Gems: $297
    • Sunset Sailing Cruise includes snacks & drinks: $79
    • Phillip Island Helicopter Tour: $116
    • Bushtucker Cruise: $50

    Is food expensive in Australia?

    In Australia, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $34 per day on food, per person.

    • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
    • Chef Jacqui's French Cooking Classes : $146
    • Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $63
    • Green Food Kitchen: Vegan/Vegetarian cooking classes : $85
    • Indian Cooking Master Class: $130
    • Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130


    Kayaking at Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Islands (Tourism Whitsundays)

    Is transportation expensive in Australia?

    Local transportation in Australia can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $30 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    Expenses for intercity transportation within Australia can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $128 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

    More for Australia

    If you're planning a trip to Australia, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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