How Much Does it Really Cost to Travel Australia?

An age old question: ‘How much does it cost to travel around Australia?’. There’s no easy answer considering the number of variables involved. But our travel experts have finally come up with a clear breakdown for couples and families planning to take on the Big Lap!

In this article, we explain how much it costs to travel around Australia and explain all the expenses involved, including:

• Buying or hiring a van

• Fuel and mechanical service

• Campsite fees

• Activities and attractions

• Food

• Supplies and packing list items

• Road tolls

We’ve also shared our top 5 tips for cutting costs when planning your lap of Australia and explained how you can earn a return on your investment in a motorhome or campervan after completing your road trip.

How much does it cost to travel around Australia?

On average, it can cost anywhere around $35,000 to travel around Australia.

But before you head for the hills, allow us to break this figure down based on the number of people travelling and whether or not you need to buy or hire a van to travel around Australia:

• A couple who owns their own motorhome may spend an average of $15,000.

• A family who owns their own motorhome may spend an average of $20,000.

• A couple who rents a motorhome may spend an average of $25,000.

• A couple who buys a motorhome may spend an average of $85,000.

These averages have been calculated using our breakdown of costs below. As such, your own total cost might be slightly higher or lower depending on what kind of campsites you stay at, which attractions you visit, how often you eat out and a range of other variables.

Breakdown of costs to road trip around Australia

1. Buying or hiring a van

People spend an average of $67,500 when buying a motorhome, caravan, campervan or camper trailer to travel around Australia (based on the average price of a new vehicle on caravancampingsales.com)_.Year.range(2021..2022).))). In comparison, people usually spend a minimum of about $5,500 when hiring one of these vehicles for a 3-month road trip around Australia (based on an average of the lowest rental prices on Camplify).

The benefit of buying a van is that you can rent it out through Camplify after your trip and earn a return on your investment. This way, not only do you own your own van, but you can generate a passive income that covers the original cost of the van - much like homeowners cover the cost of their property by leasing it out through AirBnB!

Working with the averages above, it would only require 13 people to hire your van for a 3-month road trip before you broke even on your investment. On that basis, you could have your van paid off in just over 3 years , simply by hiring it out through Camplify. After that, you’re generating profit every time you rent out your van!

Let’s take a look at which kind of vans people buy or hire when planning a trip around Australia…

Average Cost | Motorhome | Caravan | Campervan | Camper Trailer Buying new | $135,000 | $75,000 | $45,000 | $15,000 Buying used | $110,000 | $45,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 Hiring per night | $95 | $50 | $50 | $35 Hiring for 3-months | $8,835 | $4,650 | $4,650 | $3,185

Motorhome

On average, people travelling around Australia spend $135,00 buying a new motorhome or $110,000 buying a used motorhome (based on the average prices of a new and used motorhomes on caravancampingsales.com) .

Comparatively, people usually spend a minimum of $95 per night when hiring a motorhome on Camplify , meaning that a 3-month road trip around Australia would cost at least $8,835 in motorhome rental fees.

Caravan

On average, people travelling around Australia spend $75,000 buying a new caravan or $45,000 buying a used caravan (based on the average prices of a new and used caravans on caravancampingsales.com) .

Comparatively, people usually spend a minimum of $50 per night when hiring a caravan on Camplify, meaning that a 3-month road trip around Australia would cost at least $4,650 in caravan rental fees.

Campervan

On average, people travelling around Australia spend $45,000 buying a new campervan or $15,000 buying a used campervan (based on the average prices of a new and used campervans on caravancampingsales.com) .

Comparatively, people usually spend a minimum of $50 per night when hiring a campervan on Camplify, meaning that a 3-month road trip around Australia would cost at least $4,650 in campervan rental fees.

Camper Trailer

On average, people travelling around Australia spend $30,000 buying a new camper trailer or $10,000 buying a used camper trailer (based on the average prices of a new and used camper trailers on caravancampingsales.com) .

Comparatively, people usually spend a minimum of $35 per night when hiring a camper trailer on Camplify, meaning that a 3-month road trip around Australia would cost at least $3,185 in camper trailer rental fees.

2. Fuel and service

On average, a person travelling around Australia will drive 15,500km and spend $4,000 on petrol or diesel.

Fuel will be one of the most significant costs of your trip. The amount that you spend will depend on the kind of vehicle you are driving, its fuel efficiency and where you fill up your tank.

Your fuel budget will also depend on what kind of fuel your vehicle uses: petrol (gas) or diesel. Diesel tends to be cheaper than petrol. Many motorhomes and tow vehicles in Australia run on diesel and have a 70L tank.

In 2022, the average price of diesel is $1.67 per litre ($6.35 per gallon). As such, a full tank of diesel (70L) will cost you $116.90.

Comparatively, the average price of petrol is $1.69 per litre (or $6.42 per gallon). That means that a full tank of petrol (70L) will cost you $118.30.

Be prepared for significantly higher fuel prices in remote locations such as the Nullarbor and northern Australia (up to $0.50/litre more than metropolitan areas).

You will also need to consider the cost of servicing your vehicle , either before or during your road trip around Australia. Be prepared to pay up to $1,000 or more for a major service at a mechanic. Although costly, a professional service will give you peace of mind and might save you from breaking down in a remote location.

3. Campsites

Caravan and holiday parks

Average cost | Powered campsite (2 people) | Powered campsite (family) | Unpowered campsite (2 people) | Unpowered campsite (family) Per night | $45 | $55 | $35 | $45 3-month total | $4,185 | $5,115 | $3,255 | $4,185

When travelling around Australia, couples pay an average of $45 per night for a powered campsite (a total of $4,185 for a 3-month trip). Families of four pay an average of $55 per night for a powered campsite (a total of $5,115 for a 3-month trip).

Comparatively, couples pay an average of $35 per night for an unpowered campsite (a total of $3,255 for a 3-month trip). Families of four pay an average of $45 per night for an unpowered campsite (a total of $4,185 for a 3-month trip).

However, when travelling around Australia, sites can be found for as little as $20 per night or as much as $75 or more per night. The price of each site is largely determined by the location, season and facilities provided.

National Park campsites

When travelling around Australia, the average cost per night of staying at a National Park Campsite ranges from $0 - $20 per adult and $0 - 10 per child.

Around 700 National Parks on mainland Australia have campsites where you can camp overnight. Many of these parks charge a small camping fee. Usually, campsites with higher fees are located in more popular National Parks and have better facilities such as hot showers and flush toilets. Cheaper sites might only offer basic facilities such as drop toilets.

Free camping

When travelling around Australia, you will find some places where you can camp for free. This is a great option for those on a tight budget.

Some National Parks offer free campsites with basic facilities. However, there are hundreds of other sites around the country where you can camp for free, such as roadside rest stops and community campsites.

Always check for any signage that indicates it is not legal to camp in the area. You can be fined for camping overnight in areas that aren’t designated for camping. Always respect the site and leave it as you found it.

4. Activities, adventures and attractions

When travelling around Australia, couples spend an average of $3000 on activities and attractions. A family of four can expect to spend more like $4,500. This includes National Park entry fees.

How much you spend on attractions and activities whilst travelling around Australia will largely depend on your interests. However, don’t forget that there will be many days when you don’t spend any money at all on paid attractions and instead focus on free sightseeing.

To give you an idea of costs, we have listed the prices of some of Australia’s most popular attractions:

• Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Snorkel Adventure (Cairns, QLD): $260.00 per adult / $660 per family

• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (Cairns, QLD): $57 per adult / $142.50 per family

• Scenic World (Blue Mountains, NSW): $50 per adult / $88 per family

• Eden Killer Whale Museum (Eden, NSW): $12 per adult / $30 per family

• National Surfing Museum (Torquay, VIC): $12 per person / $25 per family

• Sky Deck (Melbourne, VIC): $28 per adult / $92 per family

• Great White Shark Cage Diving (Port Lincoln, SA): $535 per adult / $2,040 per family

• Kangaroo Island Tour Pass (SA): $54.50 per adult / $161.50 per family

• Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk (Denmark, WA): $21 per person / $52.50 per family

• Cable Beach Sunset Camel Ride (Broome, WA): $110 per adult / $380 per family

• Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Tour (Darwin, NT): $45 per adult / $125 per family

• Crocosaurus Cove (Darwin, NT): $36 per adult / $77.90 per family

When travelling around Australia, you can also expect to spend about $400 on National Parks fees if you buy one multi-park pass in each state (except Victoria, where National Parks are free) .

National Parks are an affordable way to see the best of Australia’s spectacular scenery. Whilst many National Parks are free to enter, the most popular parks usually charge an entry fee:

• NSW - 45 parks have fees ranging from $4 - $12 per day (Kosciuszko National Park’s fees are higher, ranging from $17 - $29 depending on the season). It might be more cost-effective to buy a Park Pass, which is $65 for 1 year (without entry to Kosciuszko) or $190 for 1 year (with entry to Kosciuszko).

• QLD - 5 parks require a vehicle access permit if you want to drive around. A permit that lasts 1-month or less usually costs $54.55. However, K’gari (Fraser Island) has a higher fee of $87.60.

• VIC - Does not charge fees to enter any National Park.

• NT - To enter Kakadu National Park, you will need a Kakadu Park Pass which lasts 7 days and costs $40 per adult or $100 per family during the dry season (lower fees apply during the wet season). Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park charges $38 per adult for 3 days entry (children enter free).

• WA - More than 30 National Parks charge an entry fee of $15 per vehicle. It may be better value to buy a 4-week park pass for $60 (or a 2-week pass for $40).

• SA - Some National Parks charge fees. A 2-month multi-park vehicle entry pass costs $48.

5. Food

People travelling around Australia spend an average of $50 per day on food and drink according to [Budget Your Trip](https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/australia# category-4) . That’s a total of $4,650 over the course of a 3-month trip.

However, this average takes into account those people who do not prepare any of their own meals and only eat out at restaurants and cafes. Eating out in Australia can be quite expensive and probably isn’t sustainable if you’re travelling on a budget. The average cost of eating out in Australia looks something like this:

• Coffee: $5.00

• Breakfast: $15.00

• Lunch: $20.00

• Dinner: $25.00

You can dramatically lower your dining costs to about $20 per day by buying food from supermarkets and preparing meals yourself. As such, if you only prepared your own meals, the total cost of food and drink over a 3-month trip around Australia would be reduced to $2,325.

6. Supplies and packing list items

People travelling around Australia on a 3-month road trip can expect to spend about $1,000 on supplies.

Whilst you probably already have most of what you need, there will be some things that you don’t have and need to add to your road trip packing list, such as:

• Torches, camping chairs, outdoor tables, kitchen necessities (cutlery, plates, cups, utensils etc), accessories, linen, a GPS and fly nets.

• Cooking equipment such as an esky or portable fridge and a gas cooktop.

• Motorhome necessities such as power leads, hoses, levelling chocks and mud mats.

• A satellite phone - if you know you’re going to be driving through remote locations it might be worth hiring a satellite phone to put your mind at ease.

• Basic food items such as salt, pepper, sauces, canned goods etc.

7. Road tolls

A person travelling around Australia on a 3-month road trip can expect to spend about $100 on road tolls, an estimation that will of course vary according to the exact route taken.

Toll fees vary from $4 - $10, depending on your destination and the size of your vehicle. Be sure to purchase an electronic tag or temporary pass before travelling through metropolitan areas such as Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Tips to cut down the cost to travel around Australia

1. Make the most of free or low-fee campsites

When planning your road trip around Australia, consider whether you really need to stay at a powered campsite each and every night. You can reduce your costs by staying at a free or low-fee National Park campsite every few nights.

Whilst these campgrounds may not always have the best facilities, they are often located in scenic areas and offer a unique camping experience.

2. Book in advance

You may find that prices are cheaper for campsites and attractions if you book online in advance. Depending on the campground and facility, costs can go up the closer you get to your travel date.

3. Fuel up in cities and major towns

One of the best ways to save money when travelling around Australia is to fuel up at petrol stations in major cities and towns. You may even want to consider filling up a spare jerry can, as fuel prices tend to be much more expensive in remote areas.

Also, if you are hiring a motorhome, be sure to fully refill the tank before returning it to the owner. This is usually cheaper than paying the fuel fee.

4. Prepare your own meals

You can save money on your travels around Australia by buying food in supermarkets and preparing your own meals.

Choosing to only eat one meal per day at a restaurant or take-away can save you about $30 per day.

5. Visit free attractions

Slash your costs by focusing on attractions that are free to visit. Many nature-based attractions, such as National Parks, Botanical Gardens and beaches have no entry cost. The same goes for some indoor attractions such as museums, galleries and markets.

Hire out your van after travelling around Australia

Now that you’ve got a bit more clarity on how much it costs to travel around Australia, it’s time to start thinking how you’ll fund your trip (and even earn some of the money back!).

Once you’ve finished travelling around Australia, you’ll be left with a heap of wonderful memories. But you may also be left with an unused caravan, campervan or motorhome gathering dust in your driveway…

Why not earn a return on your camper (and your road trip) by renting it out? Right now, holidaymakers all around Australia are wanting to hire a vehicle like yours for their next road trip!

Why Camplify?

We are proud to be Australia’s largest private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• NRMA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• All members are verified

By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across Australia in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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