Holiday Spending & Budgeting: Top Tips To Follow On Your Queensland Getaway
Whether you’ve lived in Australia all your life or are here on holiday, visiting Queensland should be at the top of your to-do list. From the glistening beaches of the Sunshine Coast to rainforests and bustling cities, the region promises to have something that suits your fancy.
The beautiful thing is that so much of what Queensland has to offer is its stunning natural landscapes and local wildlife, all of which are free to enjoy. This means that whatever your budget, you’ll always have things to do.
In this article, we’ll go through some tips on saving money while exploring Queensland. Some of these involve cutting down on what you spend, others are about spending more efficiently. Read on to find out our top tips on budgeting for your getaway.
Look for affordable hotels or AirBnBs
The key to saving money on any vacation is finding accommodation that fits your budget, and Queensland is no exception. While it’s important to stay somewhere comfortable, you should also take into account the fact that you probably won’t be spending a lot of time in your room. That means it’s an easy part of your trip to save money.
Luckily, finding a place to stay on a budget isn’t hard.
Queensland is a big place, and where you’re staying and what you’re doing will impact the sort of accommodation you’ll want to find. However, there are always cheaper options. You could look into a basic surfer’s lodging, a hotel a little further out of the city, or a remote cabin in the forest. Hostels are dotted up and down the coast if you’re open to staying in dorms, and you may also meet like-minded travellers who can offer you some top sightseeing tips.
Go Road Tripping
Bringing your car to Queensland is much cheaper than relying on public transportation and ride-sharing apps throughout your vacation. Even renting a car usually costs less money throughout an entire trip. Moreover, driving yourself gives you the freedom to go wherever you want.
There are so many benefits to going on a road trip in Queensland, with the obvious one being that some of the must-see destinations you simply can’t access without driving to. You’ll be able to explore at your own pace, save money on food by bringing snacks you can eat in the car, and stop as many times as you like. Bringing a vehicle you can sleep in comes with the bonus of saving on accommodation. Camper vans are great for this, but more on that next.
Find a credit card that suits you
Using a credit card that maximises your savings and rewards is a great way to save money without necessarily changing your spending habits. You can do a credit card comparison online with Qantas to choose the one that best suits your lifestyle. Find one that rewards the sort of expenses you normally incur, as well as a payment structure that suits where you are financially.
There are loads of different options online. Variables you’ll want to look out for include spending limits, what you need to spend on to access rewards what those rewards are, and interest rates. Crucially, make sure you’re able to pay what you owe back in the given time frame.
Camp in a national park
Going camping is a great way to avoid paying for an expensive room, you’ll get to have a truly immersive experience sleeping under the stars in one of Queensland’s many national parks. Your only costs will be what you need to pay for your camping equipment, most of which you can reuse in the future and a small fee you’ll need to pay the Queensland Government. The cost is minuscule compared to the alternatives.
Planning a camping trip in Queensland is easy, not least because so many people do it. The local Department of Environment and Science has streamlined the process to make it as convenient as possible for you to find a place to stay, make a booking, pay your fees and get any support you might need.
When it comes to places to set up camp, you’re spoilt for choice. The Danbulla National Park and State Forest, the Cooloola Recreation Area and the Springbrook National Park are just a few of your choices. Whether you want to stay by the sea or in a rainforest, camping is an affordable option.
With Queensland’s tropical climate, spring and autumn are the best times for this – and keep in mind it’s the rainy season from November to April, so if you’re planning to camp then, you might want to bring a waterproof jacket!
Book in advance
You can often save money on things you would have spent on anyway by planning. Sorting out unavoidable booking expenses like hotel rooms and aeroplane tickets in advance helps you stay within your budget, as these usually get more expensive the closer you get to your travel date.
Be careful not to book too far in advance, either. The sweet spot is usually around 3-6 months before you plan to go on holiday. On top of the largest costs, if there’s a tour you know you want to go on, or an experience you have to do, indulge in some internet surfing to discover what pricing options there are between different operating companies. Some may offer deals for booking in advance, or let you pay upfront and pick your exact spot within a given time frame closer to the dates you’ll be there, giving you a bit more flexibility.
If you intend to explore Australia, Queensland should be one of the first places you visit. You’ll probably need to go multiple times, just because it’s such a massive region, and there’s so much to do.
Luckily, it’s possible to get a lot done in Queensland without breaking the bank. The fact that you can camp in national parks for such a low fee and that it’s great for road trips makes it one of the more budget-friendly regions to explore in all of Australia.
Unlike some other tourist destinations, Queensland isn’t a place in which you need loads of money to have a good time. If reading this article and looking up things to do in Queensland has convinced you to visit, there’s no better time than the present to start planning. Wherever you’re at in life, Queensland is a fantastic, and financially realistic, place to visit.
