How-to... Stay on budget Down Under

Now, Australia and New Zealand are expensive backpacker destinations by any standards. It can be more expensive than travelling around the UK and most of Europe!!! As most travellers tend to be time-rich and cash-poor, this isn't ideal! Don't despair though, this is off-set by a wealth of fairly well-paid employement opportunities so you'll be able to literally work-your-way-around. Those who are on a shorter stint needn't worry too much either. These two distant outposts are completely tailored to travelling and there are a few simple things that you can do to reduce your daily expenditure and make the most out of your time Down Under.   Here's 5 general pointers...

1. 

FOOD:   Cook-your-own is the name of the game Down Under! Hostels have communal kitchens so utilise your culinary skills and whip up some cheap meals. Cook in groups to reduce costs further and make use of the 'free-shelves' (see below) that are in most hostel kitchens! Buy your ingredients at local (budget) supermarkets;  Woolworths (Oz)  &  Pak'n'Save (NZ) 

2.

ACCOMMODATION:   There's a stack of dorm accommodation and a mass of budget travel-orientated hostels. Amongst the largest chains are Base, Nomads & YHA. Booking online via hostelworld a few days in advance can save you a few dollars! Be sure to check it out:    www.hostelworld.com. Campervans can help reduce your accommodation costs if there's two of you but van hire can be pricer than you think - especially when you have to pay (often per person) to take it into campsites. In Oz, you'll also have to think about the sheer distances invloved and how much of a petrol bill you'll rack up! Just look into the costs before commiting - booking a van as early as possible will help to gurantee savings, special deals and exclusive promotions as well as securing availability.

3.

DISCOUNTS:    There are plenty of savings to be had if you get hold of a 'backpacker discount card'. You can save a few precious $s on everything from accommodation and transport to activities and attractions. Check them out online;                             

    *  Budget Backpacker Hostel Card:    www.bbh.co.nz

    *  International Student/Youth Card (IYSC/ITIC):      www.ISICcard.com

    *  Nomads Adventure Card:    www.nomadsworld.com

    *  VIP:    www.vipbackpackers.com

    *  YHA:    www.yha.org.uk

4.

COMMUNICATION:    Use Skype and other free/cheap web-based services to chat with folks back home - hostels have some good internet rates and pre-paid cards like Global Gossip.  www.skype.com  

5.

DRINKING:    Unfortunatley, alcohol is notoriously expensive - especailly in Oz - so pre-drink in your dorm before you go out (boxes of wine, aka Goon, are the travellers' favourite!) and make full use of backpacker promotions in hostle bars and traveller-orientated pubs!

Looking for more great tips... You need  'First-time backpacker

For in-depth info on towns, activities and all the sights in one handy guide, check out the essential travel guide:

'First-time backpacker...'
See more, do more, travel further

Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned-traveller, it’s all you need for budget backpacking. Covering 19 different countries in 3 different regions, it's pretty dam comprehensive too!