This guide shows you how to use the most reliable comparison sites for accommodation in Australia that deliver the best offers and deals across the country. You can also check out our Australia Travel Guide for more information on planning your trip.
How to choose which Places to Stay in Australia
Australia offers any accommodation. Ranging from budget to luxury hotels, hostels, camping grounds, guest houses, farm-stay in rural properties, self-serviced flats and holiday units, and private rental homes.
Over summer and at other seasonal peak times, prices are usually highest during school and public holidays. Hence, it is highly recommendable to book ahead to secure the best accommodation deals. If you can, I would travel to Australia off-season to benefit from low rates and better accommodation opportunities.
If you visit Tropical Australia during the wet season, the low season, room rates may drop considerably. While travelling around Australia, you can easily book your accommodation online, even on the same day.
Australian Bed and Breakfast and Guest-Houses
In Australia, you will find Australian family-run guesthouses almost everywhere. They are opened worldwide, ranging from restored miners’ cottages, converted barns, and country homesteads to bungalows and townhouses.
Rates vary depending on the area, location and facilities offered. Usually, they offer comfortable rooms at a reasonable price while enjoying a friendly family feel, home-cooked meals, and getting helpful information and advice from the owners.
Hotels in Australia
All major international hotel brands are in central Australian cities and popular travel destinations. Generally, they range from business to luxury hotels with all types of facilities and comforts. If you travel by car and wish to stop at your destination, a motel can be a better choice; motels usually offer comfortable mid-range places at reasonable prices.
To get an idea of finding the best hotel deals, these are the best websites for accommodation in Australia. These sites are the best for comparing the lowest prices and the most extensive offer of hotels.
Use a world-known site like booking.com.
Probably the most known travel website for searching hotel deals in the world is Booking.com. While this is undoubtedly an excellent tool for finding discounted hotel rates and last-minute deals, I would always use it as a great resource to cross-check hotel offers and prices.
Australian Budget Accommodation and Backpackers
Among all options for budget accommodation, hostels represent the cheapest option to stay during your trip. Australia has a large offer of low-cost accommodation, and hostels are everywhere.
From the city centre to the remote Australian outback areas. Australian hostels are an excellent value because they provide excellent facilities and services for all needs.
There are benefits if you travel solo around Australia and choose to stay in hostels in Australia. next to saving money, you will benefit from the massive social gatherings by meeting other travellers, sharing travelling experiences, making friends and teaming up for some good Australia adventures.
What about staying in Hostels in Australia
Staying in hostels in Australia is quite common, not only for students or the younger generation. Many retired professionals stay in hostels to save money when visiting cities.
There are over 140 hostels in Australia as part of the YHA (Youth Hostel Association), which belongs to the Int. Youth Hostel Federation. And more than 150 franchises for the VIP backpackers resort.
You can read this article about the top 6 YHA hostels in Australia.
Australia YHA is the largest Australian hostel association that provides suitable value accommodation, usually in shared dorms. Many of them provide twin rooms and family rooms too. They offer 24-hour access, cooking facilities, a communal area with TV, laundry facilities, and larger hostels and travel offices.
Remember that there is often a maximum-stay period, which may vary from the lace, usually between 5-10 days. It would be best if you were a member of the above organisation to get their membership rates.
The best comparison site for hostels is Hostelworld
Hostelworld is the best search engine for all types of budget accommodation available. Next to excellent hostels on Hostelworld, you can find B&B, family guest houses, farm stays, and more budget accommodations. Hostelworld has by far the largest pool of backpackers hostels and boutique hostels from all over the world. It has a straightforward interface, and you can view discounted prices too.
Renting a house in Australia
Another excellent accommodation option while travelling in Australia is to rent a house with a home away. This kind of accommodation suits small groups or a family.
If you think of spending some time in a city like Sydney or Melbourne, you can rent a flat and use it as a base to explore the surrounding area. While you can do this at your own pace, you will enjoy the freedom of staying in a home. Moreover, it is also a way to save money on accommodation in Australia. You can check out these two resources if you want to search online for an apartment or a room to rent.
Swap your home and stay for free in Australia
Last but not least, why not swap your home with someone else’s home while you are on holiday? This way of exchanging your house can add value to your Australian holiday. Not only do you not have to pay for accommodation while visiting Australia, but at the same time, you will also benefit from having a home while you are away from home.
This is great, especially if you plan a long-term vacation in Australia.
One more opportunity to stay for free is to share communities like Couchsurfing. It is, however, meant more as a meet-up community of locals.
Camping and Caravan Parks in Australia
Australia is indeed a country for camping and travel by camper van. By hiring a camper or a caravan (house trailer), you can go anywhere, stop everywhere in national parks or urban camping, save money on traditional accommodation and enjoy the freedom of sleeping outdoors. And it’s the best way to travel around Australia with your pet.
Campervan hire in Australia is affordable. It will cost you less than an average hotel or accommodation if you are a family or a group of people. It can be the better way to travel in the Australian Outback, whether you do it for how long, for weeks, for a few days or just one night.
Camping in the Australian Outback, dining at a campfire and spending the night under millions of stars will reward you with an unforgettable experience. If you wish to hire a campervan or caravan, there are several prominent international companies from which you can choose, like Britz, Avis, Hertz or Mau, Apollo, and KEA.
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First published in 2010, last updated in Jan 2023
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