Road Trip Australia Budget 4 Weeks
A road trip through Australia offers a unique experience, with stunning coastal roads, expansive sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife. In November 2023, we took a 4-week road trip with a small camper, traveling from Cairns to Melbourne after spending several months in Asia. However, the costs were a bit higher than expected! So, what is the exact budget of a road trip Australia for 4 weeks?
It’s important to understand the type of road trip we had when reviewing these costs. We traveled with two people during November (roughly 4 weeks). We slept in the campervan almost every night, except in Cairns and Melbourne. We cooked our own meals and mostly participated in free activities.
Road Trip Australia Budget 4 weeks
Here is a breakdown of the budget for a 4-week Australia road trip. Note: Prices are based on 2023. We did not receive any discounts or special offers.
- Accommodation: (8%)
- Food and Drink: (11%)
- Transportation: (67%)
- Activities: (9%)
- Miscellaneous Expenses: (5%)
Flights Australia
The price of flight tickets can vary greatly, so we won’t mention specific costs here. However, check Skyscanner for the best deals. We flew from Bali, as it was much cheaper than flying directly from Singapore where we were staying at the time.
Budget for Accommodation Road Trip Australia
In total, we spent approximately €350 on accommodation. This includes hostels (in Cairns and Melbourne) and paid campsites. For the most part, we were able to camp for free. Be sure to check out our detailed guide on free camping in Australia! Keep in mind that hostels in major cities can be quite expensive. In Melbourne, we would recommend Hostel The Village. It has been renovated, so you now have more privacy at the beds! In Cairns, we stayed at a campsite on the edge of the city: NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, which we highly recommend as well!
Food & Drinks
To save money, we cooked most of our meals. Groceries in Australia are equal in price to European or North American standards. Eating out isn’t always possible, especially when you’re parked at a remote campsite. However, you can enjoy breathtaking views during breakfast or dinner from your own van!
Transportation Road Trip 4 Weeks Australia
We chose not to rent a car but instead rented a small campervan through Spaceship rentals, as it was the most affordable option at that moment. The camper included some additional camping and cooking equipment. In total, we spent about €3000 on transportation in Australia, including the camper rental, fuel, and public transportation.
Activities
Once you’re on the remote area of Australia, you’ll want to do as many activities as possible. And activities in Australia are either free (hiking of beach) or extremely expensive. We booked a boat tour to the famous Whitsunday Islands – an unforgettable experience – although it wasn’t cheap! We spent about €400 on all activities, where the large part was spent on the daytrip to Whitsunday Islands.
Budget Other Expenses Road Trip Australia
During our trip, we had some additional expenses, such as a SIM card for a month (receive a $3 discount with the referral code MEIKE4854), laundry, souvenirs, etc. Plan on around €200 for these personal expenses. Of course, your individual costs may vary.
Tip: Check out our Google Maps travel guide Australia for more stops and tips.
