Australia’s East coast is one of the most iconic backpacking and road trip destinations in the world. Stretching from tropical North Queensland all the way down to Sydney and beyond, this coastline is packed with stunning beaches, reef adventures, national parks, surf towns, islands, and unforgettable road trip experiences.
But while Australia is known for its incredible scenery and laid-back lifestyle, it also has a reputation for being expensive. Many travellers wonder whether it’s actually possible to explore Australia’s East Coast on a backpacker budget.
However, the good news is that it absolutely is. Whether you’re travelling by bus, staying in hostels, hiring a campervan, or combining work and travel on a working holiday visa, there are plenty of ways to experience Australia without spending a fortune. Your total budget will depend on your travel style, the time of year you visit, and how many tours and activities you want to include.
Hostel, Campervan & Transport Costs
Transport and accommodation will usually make up the biggest part of your East Coast travel budget. The good news is that there are multiple ways to travel, depending on whether you prioritise flexibility, comfort, or keeping costs as low as possible.
Hostel Costs
Hostels are the most popular accommodation option for backpackers travelling Australia’s East Coast. They’re affordable, social, and easy to find in nearly every major destination.
Most hostels offer:
👥 Shared dorm rooms
🔑 Private rooms
🥘 Communal kitchens
🌐 Free Wi-Fi
🎟️ Organised tours and social events
🕺 Bar nights and activities
Dorm rooms are generally the cheapest option, but prices heavily depending on the destination and season.
Average hostel prices:
🤿 Cairns & Airlie Beach: AUD $35 - $55 per night
🦘 Brisbane: AUD $40 - $60 per night
🏄♂️ Byron Bay: AUD $50 - $80 per night
🌉 Sydney: AUD $55 - $90+ per night
During peak periods like Christmas, New Year, Easter, and Australian school holidays, prices can increase significantly, especially in places like Byron Bay and Sydney.
One of the biggest ways to save money in hostels is by cooking your own meals instead of eating out every day. Most hostels have fully equipped kitchens, and supermarkets like Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi make cooking fairly affordable.
Campervan Costs
For travellers wanting more freedom and flexibility, campervan travel is one of the best ways to explore the East Coast. Although the upfront rental costs may seem a bit expensive at first, campervans combine both accommodation and transport into one expense.
For groups of friends, campervans often end up being cheaper than buses and hostels combined.
Average campervan costs:
🚐 Budget campervan: AUD $50 - $120 per day
🚌 Larger campervans: AUD $120 - $250+ per day
⛽ Fuel: AUD $15 - $30 per day
🏕️ Campsites: AUD $0 - $25 per night
There are also additional costs to consider:
🛡️ Insurance
💵 National park camping fees
🔧 Extra equipment hire
📍 One-way rental fees
However, campervans allow travellers to:
👨🍳 Cook their own food
🏕️ Stay at free campsites
🚐 Travel at their own pace
🏖️ Visit hidden beaches and coastal towns
💰 Avoid expensive city accommodation
Bus & Public Transport Costs
For solo backpackers, buses are usually the most affordable and convenient option. Greyhound Australia is the main long-distance bus company operating along the East Coast.
Popular transport options include:
🔄 Hop-on-hop-off passes
🎫 Flexible travel passes
📌 Individual route tickets
Average prices:
🎟️ Greyhound East Coast passes: AUD $300 - $900
🚍 Short bus journeys: AUD $20 - $60
⏳ Longer journeys: $80 - $150
Domestic flights can sometimes be surprisingly cheap if booked early, particularly between major cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns.
K’gari, Whitsundays & Reef Prices
Some of Australia’s most famous East Coast experiences involve organised tours. While these activities are often the most expensive part of a backpacker budget, they’re also the experiences many travellers remember forever.
K’gari (Fraser Island) Tours
K’gari is the world’s largest sand island and one of the most unique destinations on Australia’s East Coast.
Average tour prices:
- Day tour: AUD $250 - $350
- 2-day camping tour: AUD $550 - $700
- 3-day camping tour: AUD $600 - $700
Most tours include:
⛺ Accommodation or camping equipment
⛴️ Ferry transfers
🥘 Meals
📋 National park permits
🚗 4WD transport
Whitsunday Sailing Trips
The Whitsundays are one of Australia’s most famous tropical destinations, known for turquoise water, white sand beaches, and incredible sailing conditions.
Average prices:
- Day trip: AUD $210 - $260
- 2-Day Sailing trip: AUD $450 - $700
- Luxury overnight tours: AUD $700+ per day
Most overnight tours include:
🥘 Meals
⚓ Accommodation onboard
🤿 Snorkelling gear
🏖️ Visits to Whitehaven Beach
🪸 Reef snorkelling stops
Great Barrier Reef Tours
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world and one of the main reasons why travellers visit Queensland.
Popular reef experiences:
🤿 Snorkelling tours
🫧 Intro scuba dives
🏅 Certified dive trips
⚓ Live-aboard diving adventures
Average prices:
- Snorkelling day trip: AUD $180 - $350
- Intro dive package: AUD $275 - $450
- Multi-day live-aboard: AUD $900+
Although reef tours can be expensive, many travellers see them as a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth budgeting for.
Cheapest Places on Australia’s East Coast
Not every East Coast destination is expensive, some towns are much more budget-friendly than others. In particular, smaller coastal destinations and less touristy destinations are more budget-friendly.
Cheapest Places on Australia's East Coast
- Cairns is a good destination for budget backpackers. Competition between tour operators and hostels keep the prices relatively low.
- Brisbane is often much cheaper than Sydney while still offering great nightlife, and affordable accommodation.
- Rainbow Beach is a relaxed coastal town that is often used as the gateway to K’gari and has cheaper accommodation than many larger destinations
- Townsville is less touristy than Cairns or Airlie Beach, making food and accommodation more affordable
- Noosa can be expensive during holidays, but outside peak season it becomes much more budget-friendly, especially for campers.
More Expensive Destinations
Some destinations have higher prices:
- Sydney
- Byron Bay
- Hamilton Island
- Gold Coast (during summer holidays)
Free Things to Do on the East Coast
One of the best things about travelling Australia is that many incredible experiences are completely free. The East Coast is packed with beaches, national parks, waterfalls, and coastal walks that don’t cost anything.
Beach Days
Australia’s beaches are world-famous for a reason. Spending a day relaxing, surfing, or swimming costs absolutely nothing.
Coastal Walks
Some of the best free walks are:
- Bondi to Coogee Walk
- Noosa Coastal Walk
- Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk
National Parks
Many national parks are free to enter and offer incredible hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife spotting, and lookouts.
Wildlife Spotting
In Australia, the wildlife you could spot are:
🦘 Kangaroos
🐬 Dolphins
🐢 Sea turtles
🐋 Whales (seasonal)
🦜 Tropical Birds
Public Lagoons & Swimming Spots
Destinations like Cairns, Airlie Beach, and Brisbane have beautiful free public lagoons perfect for relaxing in the tropical weather
How to Save Money While Travelling Australia
Australia may not be the cheapest country to travel, but there are plenty of smart ways to reduce your daily spending.
Cook Your Own Meals
Eating out regularly in Australia can become expensive quickly. Cooking at hostels or campsites can save hundreds of dollars during a long trip.
Travel Slowly
Moving between destinations less frequently reduces transport costs and allows you to enjoy each place properly.
Book Package Deals
Booking package deals that combine bus passes, tours, and accommodation can sometimes work out cheaper than booking everything separately.
Use Free Campsites
Apps like WikiCamps help travellers find free or low-cost camping spots across Australia.
Work While Travelling
Many backpackers use working holiday visas to fund their travels to do farm work, hospitality jobs, tourism work, construction, or remote work. Australia’s high minimum wage can make it easier to save money compared to many other countries.
Travel in Shoulder Season
Travelling outside peak periods often means cheaper accommodation, discounted tours, fewer crowds, and better campervan deals.
Is Australia Expensive for Backpackers?
Compared to destinations like Southeast Asia or South America, Australia is definitely more expensive. However, it’s also one of the safest, easiest, and most rewarding countries to backpack through.
Average backpacker budgets:
- Budget traveller: AUD $70 - $120 per day
- Mid-range traveller: AUD $150 - $250 per day
- Comfortable traveller: AUD $300+ per day
The biggest expenses are usually accommodation, transport, tours, alcohol and nightlife.
However, many of Australia’s best experiences, like beaches, road trips, sunsets, wildlife, and national parks, are either free or very affordable.
Ultimately, travelling Australia’s East Coast is all about balance. Some days you may spend very little relaxing at the beach or camping in nature, while other days you may splurge on unforgettable experiences like sailing the Whitsundays or diving the Great Barrier Reef.
With smart planning, flexibility, and a realistic budget, Australia’s East Coast can absolutely be explored without breaking the bank, and for many travellers, it becomes one of the best adventures of their lives.
Ready to Explore Australia’s East Coast?
Travelling Australia doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Whether you’re backpacking on a tight budget, travelling by campervan with friends, or planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with tours and experiences. There are plenty of ways to make your trip affordable without missing out on the best parts of the journey.
From relaxing on world-famous beaches and exploring national parks to sailing the Whitsundays and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, the East Coast offers unforgettable experiences for every type of traveller and budget. With a bit of planning, smart budgeting, and flexibility, it’s possible to create an incredible trip while keeping costs manageable.
If you need help planning your East Coast adventure, choosing the best transport option, comparing tours, or figuring out your budget, feel free to reach out to our team. We are always happy to provide extra information, travel tips, and personalised advice to help you plan the perfect Australia trip.
💬 Chat with our East Coast experts on WhatsAppFrequently Asked Questions About Budgeting your East Coast Travels
Can I travel the East Coast without booking everything in advance?
Yes, many backpackers travel the East Coast with a flexible itinerary and book accommodation, transport, and tours as they go. However, during peak travel periods such as Christmas, New Year, Easter, and Australian school holidays, it’s recommended to book popular tours and accommodation in advance to avoid missing out.
What is the cheapest way to travel Australia's East Coast?
For solo travellers, long-distance bus passes are often the most affordable option. If you’re travelling with friends, sharing a campervan can sometimes work out even cheaper by combining transport and accommodation costs. Choosing budget hostels, cooking your own meals, and travelling during low season can help reduce costs further.
How can I fund my trip?
Many international travellers use Australia’s Working Holiday Visa programme to earn money while travelling. Popular jobs include hospitality, tourism, farm work, construction, and seasonal work. This can be a great way to extend your travels and offset costs while exploring the country.
Do I need travel insurance for an East Coast trip?
Travel insurance is highly recommended for anyone visiting Australia. It can help cover unexpected medical costs, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and adventure activities such as sailing, snorkelling, or scuba diving. Always check that your policy includes the activities you plan to do.
Is Australia's East Coast worth the cost?
For many travellers, the answer is yes. While Australia can be more expensive than other backpacking destinations, the combination of world-famous beaches, unique wildlife, road trip experiences, tropical islands, and outdoor adventures makes it a bucket-list destination that many consider well worth the investment.
