Visiting Australia? Its not cheap, so you'll need to do just a little work before you go: There are a whole lot more air carrier players than you might think of right away. For example, I liked a well-known discount carrier's package offer, but was really surprised to see prices with an Arab carrier for $350 less - I wouldnt have thought to look there. Asian airlines -of course- its Australasia, after all- are another avenue to try. Airport parking while you vacation is very expensive, but a hotel and parking setup gives you parking and round trip shuttle for free. Stay123's site is good for these package deals. And for air travel between major Australian cities, Tiger Airways, Jetstar and Virgin Blue are almost always cheaper than Qantas. In terms of glamour, Tiger is the airborne version of a suburban bus service, but it’ll get you where you need to go.

Here are 5 more ways to beat airline costs within Australia:

Compare fares on a fare comparison website like webjet before you book direct online with any airline.
Fly on Saturday afternoons, Sunday mornings, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the cheapest flights.
Fly without checked baggage.
The airport trains from Sydney and Brisbane airports are quick and convenient, but if you’re three or more people it can be cheaper to take a taxi into the city.
Be aware that some budget airlines fly to Melbourne’s Avalon airport - Buses from here to the city take longer and are more expensive than buses from Melbourne’s main airport, Tullamarine.

A road trip starting from $1 a day

Campervanning is a fantastic way to get to Australia’s wild places. Sleeping to the sound of surf and waking up to a chorus of kookaburras are quintessential Aussie experiences. And if you’re really flexible, you can get paid to do it.

Seriously: sign up for a relocation rental. The relocation company assigns you a vehicle, a route, a timeframe, and sometimes even a fuel allowance. Right now, you could take a six-bed motor-home from Alice Springs to Adelaide in five days for $1 a day – and receive $150 towards fuel. The mileage allowance of 2000km is almost enough to get you to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and back as well – you’ll pay slightly more for those extra kilometres. Here’s how:

Check out www.standbyrelocs.com
Plan your itinerary carefully to be sure the mileage allowance covers what you want to do
Read the fine print
Fill the fridge with fresh fruit and vegetables before you hit the outback, where prices rise dramatically
Swap drivers regularly so everyone gets a break – you don’t realise how big Australia is till you get behind the wheel

Top five eats under AU$15 in five great cities

For less than the price of a burger back home, you could build a whole day (or night) around some of Australia’s best eating experiences. The price on the menu is the price you pay – tipping is appreciated but not expected except at fine-dining restaurants.

Take-away fish and chips, Doyle’s on the Wharf, Sydney ($12.80)
Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Watson’s Bay to this Sydney seafood institution, where you get a serve of sea air with your fish and chips. Walk it off in the almost-adjacent Sydney Harbour National Park. Mussels barigoule, chorizo & aioli, Melbourne ($14)
A little bit grungy and a whole lot cool, Gertrude Street is quintessential hipster Melbourne. Grab a bar-stool in the window at Cutler & Co, graze from the bar menu and gaze at the passing parade of bike couriers, trams and graphic designers.
   
Get to the heart of South Australia’s superb foodie scene at the market, where the artisan breads and Barossa cured meats are among the country’s best.
Lamb cutlet and minted yoghurt from the bar menu, The Crosstown Eating House, Brisbane ($5)!
You could order the entire bar menu here and still have change from 20 bucks. Come for the easygoing vibe in the airy 1920s building, stay for the cutlet and the gin-marinated olives

10-05-17