While hotels in large cities are similar to those in the rest of the world, “hotels” in rural Australia—particularly in Victoria and New South Wales—are often simple furnished rooms above local pubs. Some resemble fancy Victorian-era lodgings with grand staircases, high ceilings, and wrap-around verandas. Others have been converted to long-term worker housing, and are thus less conducive to brief overnight stays. Singles in these hotels usually start at $50. This generally includes a towel, a shared bathroom, and a private room. The pubs downstairs can be noisy. Motels in Australia are mid-range accommodations. Quality and price varies, but most motel rooms will include private bathroom (ensuite), TV, and fridge. If you make reservations in writing, indicate your night of arrival and the number of nights you plan to stay. The hotel will send you a confirmation and may request payment for the first night.
A much more personal alternative to hotel rooms, Australian B&Bs (private homes with rooms available to travelers) range from acceptable to sublime. Hosts will sometimes go out of their way to be accommodating by giving personalized tours or offering home-cooked meals. On the other hand, many B&Bs do not provide phones, TVs, or private bathrooms. Rooms in B&Bs generally start at around $90, but are more expensive in heavily touristed areas. Check out BABS (www.babs.com.au) for a list of Australian B&Bs.
Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session; some even do so during term time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be low, and many offer free local calls and Internet access.
Home exchange offers the traveler an opportunity to live like a native and cut down on accommodation fees in a variety of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, even castles in some cases). For more information, contact HomeExchange.com Inc., P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎+1-310 -798-3864 or toll-free 800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com) or Intervac International Home Exchange (☎02 9969 3169; www.intervac.com).
Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes. The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) is a good place to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is an established, more formal, peace-based organization, and requires a fee and an interview to join. An Internet search will find many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, GLBT travelers, or members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with or host someone you do not know.
Travelers planning to stay in Australia for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. A basic one-bedroom (or studio) apartment in Sydney will average $1500 per month. Besides the rent itself, prospective tenants usually are also required to front a security deposit (frequently one month’s rent) and the last month’s rent. Check apartment listings at www.realestate.com.au or www.rent-a-home.com.au.
Camping is by far the cheapest way to spend the night. The ubiquitous caravan parks found throughout Australia offer basic camping sites, with or without power, for campers; in addition, some hostels have basic camping facilities or at the least allow guests to pitch their tents in the front or back yard. Unpowered campsites can vary in price, from free to $30 per night for a prime spot during Christmas holidays; most powered sites go for about $4-6 more. The Great Outdoor Recreation Pages (www.gorp.com) provide general information for travelers planning on camping or spending time in the outdoors.
Caravanning is popular in Australia, where many campgrounds double as caravan parks, consisting of both tent sites and powered sites for caravans. On-site caravans (also called on-site vans) are a frequent feature at caravan parks and are anchored permanently to the site and rented out. “Cabins” at caravan parks are often analogous to an on-site van, with a toilet inside.
In Australia, there is a distinction drawn between caravans and campervans (RVs). The former is pulled as a trailer, while the latter has its own cab. Renting a caravan or campervan is expensive, but cheaper than renting a car and staying in hotels. The convenience of bringing along your own bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen makes caravanning an attractive option, especially for older travelers and families traveling with children.
It’s not difficult to arrange a campervan rental for your trip to Australia, although you should definitely start gathering information several months before your departure. Rates can vary widely by region, season (high season, Dec.-Feb. is the most expensive), and type of van. It pays to contact several different companies to compare vehicles and prices. Maui Rentals (☎03 8379 8891; www.maui-rentals.com) and Britz Campervan Rentals and Tours (☎03 8379 8890; www.britz.com) rent RVs in Australia. Check out Family Parks of Australia (☎02 6021 0977; www.familyparks.com.au) for a list of caravan and cabin parks across Australia belonging to their chain. For in-depth information on outdoor activities, wildlife, safety, and camping in the Australian Outback, see Outdoor Recreation.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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