9 Best Budget Things to do in Australia Like A Local! 

Budget Things to do in Australia

1. Swimming Under a Waterfall

Image from Wikimedia

The Blue Mountains in rural NSW has some beautiful waterfalls. There are many tracks, so enjoy the bushwalk to a beautiful waterfall then strip down to your togs and jump in. The walking tracks are endless here so make sure you grab a national park map! 

2. Master the Art of Surfing

Surfing is more than a sport in Australia it is a lifestyle. Take a surf lesson, it may not be budget, but once you master it, it’s free for life! Try to stand, fall, try again, perseverance and persistence create grit which is a necessary personality trait for any Australian. Nothing beats the sense of achievement when you succeed. 

3. Have a Classic Barbie (BBQ)

No matter the time of the year or temperature locals always flock to the beaches.  The locals complain its full of riffraff and overpriced coffees but it doesn’t stop them heading down. You will find a huge congregation of locals there every Saturday and Sunday and well pretty most other sunsets to eat, drink and mingle. It’s an awesome chance with hang out with a cheery local and get some more local tips.  Australians don’t mind eating their emblem animal. And you shouldn’t either, grab a pack of Kangaroo steaks and contribute to the barbie. They can be a bit tricky to cook right, so make sure the temps inside is right, or else you might end up with a bit of a sore belly!

4. Hang Out in Byron Bay

Byron Bay, you might have heard of this idyllic town, that is now home to many famous people. But its reputation is rightly so, it is bloody beautiful! Azure blue water, the softest sand you’ve ever touched and a beautiful beachside village. It can be pricy in these types of spots, lucky there is lots of opportunity to house sit. It can be competitive so find out the best tips to getting started. 

5. How About Some Shopping

Melbourne is famous for its shopping. If you’re after cheap boutique finds head to Smith St in Collingwood or Greville St in Prahran. Both are streets are full of treasure troves of designers. If you come at Christmas time, you have to head to Myer, they are famous for their beautiful window displays as well as stocking all the best brands! If you’re looking for some bargains, head to DFO. You wouldn’t believe the location. It’s set on the side of the Yarra River, with lovely restaurants overlooking it. The perfect place for an afternoon espresso martini, you can pick them up at happy hour for around $4.  Click here to book your accommodation with Booking.com!

More Budget Things to do in Australia

6. Get Lost on a Road Trip

Australia is best seen from the road. If you fly you miss out on all the best beaches and parks. Head off on a road trip, you can find looks of cheap/ free cars and campers via searching for relocation cars.  Read here best Luxury Glamping spots in Victoria!

7. Snorkel While it is Still Here

Snorkeling is something typically enjoyed at the great barrier reef, but you can also enjoy it further down the coast as well. Just be mindful where ever you are of rips and sharks. The Aussie coastline is beautiful, but it can also be quite dangerous. Not only that the coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reefs are quickly declining, so make this a high priority.

8. Get an Ice Cream from Mr. Whippy

In summer there is a tune that is music to everyone’s ears. That wonderful tune is that of Mr. Whippy. You will find him at the park, at the beach, and if you are lucky enough you will find him cruising down your street. He is the sound of summer. He is at times, a lifesaver. No day at the beach is complete without an ice cream from Mr. Whippy. Your first time can be overwhelming, with a picture board with 20 – 30 different combinations and styles it’s hard to choose. Do you go for the standard flake cone or go all out and get the banana split? A local favourite is the standard flake cone dipped in a crispy chocolate layer. Do yourself a favour and see Mr. Whippy before the summer is out and he is parked up for the wintertime! 

9. Eat Fish ‘n’ Chips

Having a ‘feed’ of fish ‘n’ chips is about as Aussie as you can get. However, the fish ‘n’ chips that are not the kind that comes served in an ironic serving basket for $35.99 at your local fine dining restaurant. We’re talking about the real fish ‘n’ chips! This is going to your local fish shop, ordering a $20 family pack and heading down the beach to eat it with your hands while watching the sun go down. Every fish ‘n’ chip shop has a $20 Family pack; however, they can differ from place to place. You will usually find they contain something along the lines of 4 pieces of crumbed fish, 2 scoops of chips, a couple of hot dogs & a small army or potato cakes. This delicious pack of deep-fried goodness will always come wrapped in last week’s newspaper, which is used as your table at the beach! Always remember you can of tomato sauce and lemon to get the full experience. There you have it, all the best budget things to do in Australia just like a local. Not only that, there won’t cost you an arm and a leg. So, what are you waiting for?