How much does an Australia road trip cost?

A road trip through Australia is a journey that most people save up for a long time. It's therefore good to know in advance what such a trip is likely to cost. There are many different factors that count when you're adding up all the costs. When are you making the trip? Which route are you taking in Australia? What means of transport are you using? What kind of activities are you booking? These are all questions you need to ask yourself to get an idea of how much you need to set aside in advance.

Because all these factors differ per person, I'll outline below an example of a road trip I've done myself in the past, using today's prices.

For this calculation I'm basing it on a road trip of approximately 4 weeks along the east coast of Australia with a route from Sydney to Cairns (or the other way around), where you're travelling in a Campervan with full insurance cover and preparing roughly 70% of your meals yourself.

Also check out Tips to save costs during your Campervan trip through Australia.

Hire a Campervan in Australia

Hiring a Campervan usually makes up the largest part of your budget, but at the same time it's also the core of your entire trip. After all, you're not just paying for transport, but also for your accommodation and the freedom to determine your route completely yourself.

The price of a Campervan in Australia can vary significantly and depends on several factors. Think about the season you're travelling in, the type of Campervan you choose and the hire company you book with. During peak season, for example, prices are considerably higher than outside it.

Are you hiring a Campervan in Australia? Then it's wise to look carefully at the insurance options straight away. Most hire companies offer different packages. A comprehensive insurance package might seem more expensive, but it does ensure you hit the road worry-free and prevents unexpected costs during your road trip.

See 'What does hiring a Campervan in Australia cost'

Want to know exactly what a Campervan costs for your trip? Fill in the Campervan form or send a message. We compare all hire companies for you and make sure you get the best deal including discount. You save time and money. We do the work.

Book your Campervan here

Campsites in Australia

One of the biggest advantages of travelling around Australia in a Campervan is the enormous choice of places to stay overnight. From well-equipped campsites to simple spots in the middle of nature, you can make it as comfortable or basic as you like.

Throughout the country you'll find a wide range of campsites and camping areas, making it easy to tailor your trip to your budget and style of travel.

Globally, you can choose from the following types of overnight spots:

National Parks (NP)

The most beautiful overnight spots in Australia are often found in the national parks. From camping in the forests or along a river to sleeping on an open plain with views of an impressive sunset in the outback.

These campsites are usually not free, but they are very affordable. This makes them perfect if you want to stay overnight in unique locations without it costing much.

Please note: these campsites are often located further away from the usual routes. As a result, you may cover more kilometres and spend more time reaching these locations.

Showgrounds & Pub Camping

This is a lesser-known but typically Australian way of staying overnight for many travellers. Especially in smaller towns, you'll regularly come across showgrounds and pub camps where you're welcome with your Campervan.

Showgrounds are local event grounds where you can often stay overnight for a small fee. They're usually centrally located in the town, putting you within walking distance of shops, cafes and other amenities. The surroundings are often less spectacular than in nature, but that's offset by convenience and a good location.

Additionally, many local pubs offer the opportunity to stay overnight on their grounds. Sometimes for a small fee, but often even for free. In return, you're usually expected to have a meal or drink there. This isn't just a practical place to stay, but also a great way to connect with locals and experience the real Australia.

Holiday Parks & Campgrounds in Australia

Throughout Australia you'll find a wide range of holiday parks and campgrounds with extensive facilities. Many of these campgrounds fall under well-known chains such as Big 4 Holiday Parks and Discovery Parks. These parks are known for their consistent quality, so you know roughly what to expect regardless of location.

Are you looking for a bit of extra comfort during your road trip? Then these are ideal places to stay overnight. Virtually all holiday parks offer facilities such as power hook-ups, hot showers, clean toilets, washing machines, barbecues and often even swimming pools. You'll find them mainly along popular routes, near cities and close to well-known attractions.

Alongside these larger chains, there are also many small-scale, locally run campsites. These often have a unique character and are regularly located in the most beautiful spots. With a bit of searching, you sometimes come across surprisingly special locations.

What makes these campsites extra fun is the atmosphere. Think communal barbecues, evening campfires or organised activities like walks. They're places where you easily meet other travellers and where your road trip gets that little bit extra.

Free Camps & Rest Areas

In Australia, there are plenty of opportunities to stay overnight for free with your Campervan. These so-called free camps can be found in the most diverse locations, from quiet spots along the coast and rivers to remote areas in the middle of nature.

The facilities are usually basic or completely absent, but you get something special in return: staying overnight in unique locations, often far away from the crowds and other travellers.

Keep in mind that some of these locations are less accessible. Especially the more remote free camps are regularly located on unsealed roads and are not always suitable for standard Campervans. In some cases you'll need a 4WD to get there.

Alongside the spots in nature, there are also many rest areas and simple camping spots along the road. Think of locations at petrol stations (roadhouses), car parks or grassy fields just outside a town. These are ideal for breaking up a long drive and staying overnight for free along the way.

Note: rules vary by location. Overnight stays are only permitted in designated areas and it's important to follow local regulations and signage.

Activities in Australië

It's good to know that a large part of what you see and do in Australia costs absolutely nothing. Many attractions and national parks are free to access, allowing you to fully enjoy nature without extra expenses. Think of a hike in the Blue Mountains, a refreshing dip at a waterfall or a day relaxing on one of the many beautiful beaches. For these kinds of experiences you often only need your time, not your wallet.

That doesn't mean everything is free, of course. Australia also offers plenty of activities and excursions that you do pay for. For example, you can take a surf lesson along the east coast or go on a boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel or dive.

The choices you make here have a big impact on your total budget. Are you going for a few special experiences, or do you want to do as many activities as possible during your trip?

A few popular examples:

• Whitsunday Islands boat trip (one or multi-day)
• Surf lesson in Byron Bay, Noosa or Bondi Beach
• Snorkelling/diving at the Great Barrier Reef
• 4WD trip on Fraser Island (K'Gari)
• Diving with whale sharks (west coast)

When you've decided which activities you'd like to pay for, you still need to determine how you'd like to experience them. Are you going for an afternoon of snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef or are you going for the full experience and booking a multi-day trip? These decisions will certainly have an impact on your total spending on activities in Australia at the end of the day.

A day trip to the Great Barrier Reef will cost you on average around AUD $220 – $250. If you want a 2-hour surf lesson in Byron Bay, this will cost you AUD $90. However, if you go sailing for 2 days around the Whitsunday Islands, you'll be looking at AUD $550+.

To give you a good example of what you can roughly expect to pay for activities in Australia, I've chosen a middle ground that includes both more expensive and cheaper activities.

In short: for a four-week road trip through Australia with two people, you can expect to pay approximately AUD $650 to $1200 for fuel, free camps to around AUD $70 per night, AUD $50 to $100 per day for food and drink, and AUD $1300 to $2400 for activities. The cost of Campervan hire comes on top of that and in most cases forms the largest expense of your trip.

Check 'What does Campervan hire in Australia cost'