Van Life on a Backpacker Budget: 5 Ways to Travel Australia for Less
Ever looked at hostel prices in a popular Australian beach town and wondered how a bunk bed got so expensive? Maybe the affordable rooms are already booked out, or you’ve found yourself spending more on accommodation than you planned.
If you’re backpacking around Australia on a working holiday visa, there’s another option worth considering: van life! Having your own campervan means your accommodation travels with you, giving you more flexibility to explore without having to find a new place to stay at every stop.
With a little planning, a GoCheap campervan could be a surprisingly affordable way to experience Australia in between doing your regional farm work or specified work. From long-term hire discounts to cheaper campsite stays, here are five ways to make #vanlife work on a backpacker budget.
1. Book Early and Travel Longer For More Savings
If you’re planning to spend a few weeks exploring Australia, you might as well make the most of the discounts available! GoCheap Campervans offer a 10% Long Term Hire Discount on eligible bookings of 21 days or more, making it a great option for backpackers planning an extended road trip. If you book at least 125 days before your pick-up date, you can also take advantage of the 5% Early Bird Discount.
Even better, these discounts can be used together. You’ll receive the 10% Long Hire Discount first, plus an additional 5% off the discounted daily rental rate. That means you’ll have more money in your travel budget for the experiences you came to Australia for!Make
Campervan Tip: If your schedule is flexible, consider travelling during the shoulder season instead of school holidays or busy festive periods. Campervan rental rates can be lower during quieter travel periods, and you’ll have a better chance of finding available campsites too.
Image: More time on the road means more of Australia to see!
2. Choose a Campervan That Suits Your Trip
You don’t need a huge motorhome to enjoy life on the road! For backpackers, a compact campervan can be a practical choice, especially when you’re navigating unfamiliar roads or parking in busy coastal towns.
The GoCheap 2-Berth Tamar is worth considering if you’re travelling solo or with a partner. It’s easy to drive thanks to its automatic transmission and includes a fixed bed, so there’s no need to rearrange your living space every night. Having your own shower and toilet is also handy when you’re travelling between destinations or staying at campsites with limited facilities. It also has an on-board kitchen to make your own meals when you’re trying to save some money!
Another option is the GoCheap 4 Berth Hi-Top. Its smaller size makes it easy to manoeuvre, and like the Tamar, the kitchenette allows you to cook your own meals instead of relying on takeaway food. Although it sleeps up to four, it’s also worth comparing if you’re travelling with another buddy and prefer a simple campervan setup, with bonus perks of having your own beds and being able to split costs!
Both campervans offer a practical way to travel without the size of a larger motorhome. Choosing the right one comes down to how much space you need and the type of camping you plan to do.
Note: The 4 Berth Hi-Top doesn’t have an onboard shower or toilet, so you’ll need to plan your overnight stops around campsites with suitable facilities.
Image: Cook and experiment with some of Australia’s finest produce in the region you’re travelling in
3. Look for Long-Stay Campsite Deals Instead of Expensive Accommodation
Accommodation can be one of the biggest expenses when backpacking around Australia, particularly in popular destinations where hostel beds and budget rooms fill up quickly. Hiring a campervan gives you another accommodation option, and you might be surprised by the deals available at some holiday parks.
Many travellers book campsites for a night (or two) at a time, but some holiday parks offer discounted weekly rates or special prices for longer stays. If you’re planning to spend a week exploring a coastal town or want to stay in one area for a while, it’s worth asking whether a long-stay rate is available.
Long-stay campsite deals aren’t always advertised on booking websites, so contacting the park directly could help you find a better rate. Prices will vary depending on the location and season, and popular parks can still book out, so it’s worth organising your stays ahead of time.
For backpackers struggling to find affordable accommodation in certain destinations, combining campervan hire with a longer campsite stay could be a practical alternative to paying for individual nights in hostels.
Campervan Tip: Compare the cost of a powered campsite against an unpowered site before booking. We recommend connecting your campervan to 240V power every second night to recharge the house battery, so it’s worth factoring powered stays into your budget as certain appliances only work when plugged in to a 240V powered site. For backpackers who are struggling to secure affordable accommodation in certain areas, a campervan paired with a free/low-cost campsite stay could be a handy alternative!
Image: Staying at a holiday park and campsite can be a great way to meet new people, from other backpackers to local travellers
4. Give Your Wallet a Break from Eating Out
Dining out is one of the easiest ways to blow your backpacking budget. You might be on a holiday, but your bank account probably won’t appreciate buying breakfast out every morning!
Having a kitchen in your campervan makes it much easier to keep food spending under control. All of our campervans have cooking facilities and a fridge, so you can buy groceries and prepare meals as you travel. A supermarket shop before heading into smaller tourist towns can also help you avoid paying higher prices for everyday essentials.
Of course, we’re not saying you should miss out on Australia’s world-class coffees or treating yourself to a good meal. Just think about how much you could save by cooking most of your meals instead of eating out every day. That’s a few more dollars towards your next adventure (or a well-deserved pub feed)!
Image: Hire an outdoor table and chairs from GoCheap for the ultimate convenience! If you choose the Maximum Cover liability reduction, it will be included in your rental.
5. Slow Down and Discover Free/Low-Cost Experiences
Australia is a lot bigger than it looks on Google Maps, and trying to squeeze too many destinations into your itinerary can get expensive pretty quickly. Constantly driving from one town to another means spending more money on fuel, which isn’t ideal when you’re travelling on a backpacker budget. One of the best things about van life is that you don’t have to be on the move every day. Spend a few nights in one area and explore the nearby attractions before heading to your next destination. You might even discover a few hidden gems that weren’t on your original itinerary!
There are heaps of free and low-cost activities around Australia, from scenic coastal walks to swimming at beautiful beaches. If you’re visiting a new town, check out the local visitor information centre for recommendations on things to do without spending a fortune.
Travelling a little slower also gives you the chance to make the most of those long-stay campsite deals we mentioned earlier. Less time driving means more time enjoying the places you’ve flown all this way down under to see!
Image: Park your campervan at the Rex Lookout in Cairns, QLD for some of the best views of the Great Barrier Reef!
Ready To Give #VanLife A Go?
Backpacking around Australia doesn’t have to mean spending half your savings on accommodation or constantly moving between hostels. With a little preparation and some clever budgeting, renting a campervan could be a great way to explore the country while keeping your expenses under control, and our 24/7 roadside assistance is just one call or email away if you find yourself in a spot of trouble. Having your accommodation and transport together also makes it easier to change your plans if you find somewhere you’d like to stay a little longer!
We have a bunch of resources, including itineraries, available on our website. You can find some holiday park recommendations in our travel blog, and check the amenities that are included in the campervans that are available.
Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the campervans we have available at our branches!
