How to have a 5-star Aussie holiday on a budget
Australia is an incredible country just waiting to be explored. But it can also be one of the most expensive. Here’s how to live the champagne lifestyle on a beer budget.
1. Do your research
Sometimes, the best way to find a great deal is good old fashioned legwork. Do the research, read the fine print, look at traveller’s reviews and see if you can find some hidden gems. By acting as your own travel agent you can find a package that will suit you perfectly and save you money.
2. Travel off-season
First and foremost, avoid school holidays. These are the absolute peak times for travel and flights, hotels and resorts will all be charging peak prices. You can then look for destinations that are off season in terms of weather. For example, Thredbo is (obviously) best known as a winter destination for skiing. Travel in the warmer months and there’s gorgeous hiking trails and fields of wildflowers – plus you can save a fortune on hotels.
3. Choose an off-beat destination
Everyone has heard of Byron Bay and it’s jam packed with tourists year-round – meaning high prices are guaranteed. Instead, why not look at the Coffs Coast, slightly further south? The beaches are just as beautiful, but the price tag is considerably lower. If you’re looking for a city break, think about Darwin or Adelaide. A study from Hotels.com earlier this year found that these two cities are the cheapest in the country for five-star hotels at around $100 cheaper per night than Sydney or Melbourne.
4. Be prepared to negotiate
Now that you’re travelling off season, you have some bargaining power with hotels. As they will often have empty rooms, they might be prepared to negotiate a better rate or offer you some free extras (like breakfast, transfers or a bottle of wine). You’ll need to do this over the phone or in person as opposed to online, but you’d be surprised how often it works.
5. Join loyalty programs
And not just for airlines. Everyone from hotel chains to booking sites and credit card companies offer loyalty programs that offer points, discounts or extras like free room upgrades or wine every time you use them. Stay loyal, book wisely and you can save a fortune.
6. Look at alternative accommodation
Sure, a hotel in the CBD or a beachfront resort seems like the most luxurious option but modern travellers need to think outside the box. Homeshare sites like Airbnb offer incredible high-end houses or apartments for a fraction of what it would cost to stay in a hotel. Plus, you can create your own gourmet, five-star meals at home instead of paying restaurant prices.
7. Go last minute
Sometimes it pays off to leave your plans to the last minute and then go where the best deal takes you. Hotels can drop their prices if bookings have been slow or you could grab an airline deal just days out, provided you aren’t too picky about where you’re going. Australia has so many great destinations that you’re sure to be impressed, wherever you end up going.
Related links:
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Top 10 Australian destinations to visit in 2016
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