We've all heard there's no such thing as a free lunch. And that's true unless you're a plant munching on sunlight and rain water. It's also true that your probably not going to get a free vacation either. There are things you can do to cut your costs though. You can travel on your vacation for less than 40.00 dollars a day.
Buy a Car - If you are planning a particularly long trip to Australia with a lot of traveling in mind then rather than wasting a lot of money on weeks or months of rentals just buy a car. It doesn't matter what kind of vehicle you buy as long as it fits within your travel budget. Also, if you are smart about it you can sell it off before you leave and get at least part of your money back on it if not a profit.
Vehicle Relocation - If you're taking a shorter trip then it might not be worth the risk to invest in buying a vehicle. If this is the case and you're open to new destinations (meaning you don't have your vacation mapped out) then look into relocating a vehicle. Some rental companies will let you drive their van or vehicle nearly for free if you're willing to relocate it to a specific destination. Be mindful that there's often a time limit and they want their vehicles back quickly.
Sleeping for Free - If you aren't to averse to "roughing it" you can camp out, sleep in your car or stop at any of the many rest areas and only pay for the small things like use of the showers. If you bought or rented a car you won't have to sleep in the dirt to avoid paying for a hotel room.
Camping in National Parks - You really need to book the more popular camp grounds in advance if you want to hit one along your route but camping in the national parks is one of the more low-cost options. Some are around $5 a night while others, like in NSW, are free. For the more remote camp grounds you'll probably need a guide or a 4WD vehicle - or both.
Camps Australia - Camping is definitely the best way to save money when you're taking a rover out and about. With a copy of Camps Australia you will know where the best campgrounds are and what they will cost you. This can help you plan your trip effectively and help you get the most out of it. You can expect to pay as much as $70 for the book though. You might try asking the rental company if they have a copy you can use.
Flying Local - If you're going to fly local, try Tiger Airways. It's certainly not free but you can fly from Melbourne to Sydney for less than $50. Prices can obviously vary depending on season and time, holidays, etc. Check with local airlines for the best rates.
There are a number of ways to save money when you're traveling on South Pacific vacations. All you need is a little fore thought, some creativity and the help of a really good travel planner specializing in the South Pacific.
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