10 Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations in Australia for International Students

Just arrived in Australia? 

You’re probably so excited to explore! But what? Your wallet says no? 

No worries!

Between groceries, rent, and your overpriced coffee (we won’t judge), travel might feel out of reach. 

But here comes this guide to save the day. 

Yup, you can explore Australia while on a budget.

In this guide, we’ll show you 10 budget-friendly destinations across Australia (so get your notes app ready and make that bucket list).

Bonus: You’ll also get simple travel tips to help you save money while making great memories.

Whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, there are amazing places just waiting to be explored on a student budget. Most of the destinations in this list are close to these major cities, too, so wherever your university is, you won’t have to worry about travelling to these places.

Ready to explore?

Let’s make our first stop!

Just two hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are where city life disappears and nature takes over. 

Here, you’ll find fresh air that smells like eucalyptus, tall green forests, and wide rock cliffs.

The most famous spot? The Three Sisters. 

These are three tall, rocky peaks that stand side by side, rising from the edge of a massive valley. You can see them from the Echo Point lookout, and the view stretches across a deep valley filled with dense trees.

There are free bushwalking trails everywhere—some easy, some more challenging. 

One of the most popular walks goes through Leura Cascades, where small waterfalls flow over smooth rocks into pools below. Wentworth Falls is also nearby, with a steep stairway walk that rewards you with views of a tall waterfall cutting down the cliffside.

How to get there:
From Sydney Central Station, catch a train to Katoomba. It takes about 2 hours and costs under $10 with an Opal card (off-peak).

What to do for free:

• See the Three Sisters from Echo Point

• Walk to Leura Cascades and stop by the picnic area

• Hike down to the base of Wentworth Falls

• Visit mountain villages like Leura or Blackheath for cozy cafés and local shops

Where to stay:

• Blue Mountains YHA in Katoomba is clean, social, and well-located.

• Or just make it a day trip and head back to Sydney by night.

The Gold Coast is all about sunshine, waves, and wide-open beaches. 

From the second you arrive, you’ll see long stretches of pale yellow sand, turquoise water, and tall buildings lining the coast. It’s a fun, high-energy place, and perfect if you need a break from uni stress.

You can swim, lie in the sun, or just walk along the Oceanway—an easy path right next to the beach that gives you views of the water and sky for miles. 

Surfers Paradise is the busiest spot. Here, you’ll find street performers, markets, and late-night food trucks. 

For a quieter beach experience, head to Burleigh Heads, where the waves are calmer and the grassy park adjacent to the beach is perfect for relaxation.

How to get there:
From Brisbane, take a train to Helensvale, then transfer to the tram to Surfers Paradise. It costs around $10 total with a Go card.

What to do for free:

• Swim or chill at Surfers Paradise or Burleigh Heads

• Walk the beachfront path and spot local art and performers

• Visit night markets and listen to live music by the shore

Where to stay:
BUNK Surfers Paradise and Surf Inn are both affordable and popular with students.
For groups, a shared Airbnb can be cheaper, especially if booked early.

These places are great, yes, but are you thinking of visiting them with someone? 

You’re new to Australia. And we get it. You probably don’t have friends to travel with yet. 

We've got your back!

If you need company or if you ever feel alone in Australia, just join our IDP Thrive Community.

Here, you’ll meet fellow international students. Got questions about which places to travel around your city? How to save money at uni? Or are you looking for new friends to travel with?

Just share all these in our online community, your fellow friendly students will surely support you!

This is one of Australia’s most famous road trips. 

The Great Ocean Road stretches along the southern coast of Victoria. It takes you through beach towns, thick forests, and coastal cliffs with wide views of the ocean. 

The drive itself is part of the experience. You’ll drive through twisting roads with the sea on one side and green hills on the other.

The highlight is the Twelve Apostles—huge stacks of rock standing tall in the ocean, separated from the mainland. They look especially beautiful during sunset when the light turns them golden.

Other stops include Loch Ard Gorge (a quiet beach surrounded by steep rock walls) and the rainforests of Great Otway National Park, where you can walk through ferns and listen to birds echoing in the trees.

How to get there:
Drive with friends and split the car rental cost.
Or join a low-cost day tour from Melbourne (some start at $50).

What to do for free:

• Stop at viewing platforms for the Twelve Apostles

• Walk around Apollo Bay or Lorne—small towns with cafes and beaches

• Hike in Great Otway National Park to see waterfalls and forest paths

Where to stay:

• Try Port Campbell Hostel or Apollo Bay YHA for a cheap overnight option.

• Or do a big one-day loop from Melbourne to save money on accommodation.

Canberra might not be as flashy as Sydney or Melbourne, but it’s full of interesting places to explore. Most of them are completely free. It’s a clean, well-organised city with a big lake in the middle, wide bike paths, and modern buildings surrounded by parks.

The city is packed with museums and galleries.

At the Australian War Memorial, you’ll find detailed exhibitions and a peaceful courtyard for quiet reflection. 

The National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum are also free to enter and have cool modern art and interactive displays. 

You can walk or rent a scooter along Lake Burley Griffin, which has clear walking paths, grassy picnic spots, and views of the city’s skyline.

How to get there:
Take a coach like Murrays or Greyhound from Sydney or Melbourne. Student prices available—book early for better deals.

What to do for free:

• Visit the National Museum and National Gallery

• Walk around Lake Burley Griffin or rent a bike

• Climb Mount Ainslie for views over the whole city

• Tour Parliament House (free and open to the public)

Where to stay:

• Canberra City YHA is clean, central, and walking distance from top spots.

• Look out for student discounts on accommodation sites.

About 90 minutes from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula has soft sandy beaches with calm, clear blue water. The area is peaceful with small towns that have cosy cafes and weekend markets. You can soak in natural hot springs or walk along the cliffs at Point Nepean National Park, where you see the ocean stretching far below.

How to get there:

• Take a train and bus combo from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station (around $15).

What to do for free:

• Walk along sandy beaches and coastal paths.

• Visit seaside markets and small towns.

• Explore Point Nepean cliffs with ocean views.

Where to stay:

• Budget motels and hostels in the town of Mornington or nearby.

• Consider day trips from Melbourne to save costs.

Adelaide is a small city easy to explore by free tram. You can visit art galleries, local markets, and then spend time at Glenelg Beach. This beach has wide, clean white sand and shallow water that’s perfect for swimming or relaxing in the sun.

How to get there:

• Take the free tram from Adelaide city center to Glenelg (no cost).

What to do for free:

• Walk the sandy beach and swim in the shallow water.

• Visit markets and galleries in the city.

• Picnic in nearby parks.

Where to stay:

• Budget hostels in Adelaide city.

• Glenelg has some affordable motels.

Byron Bay is a small beach town with a big personality. The streets are full of barefoot travellers, and music often spills out from street corners. This is the place to slow down, enjoy the view, and feel the sand between your toes.

Main Beach has soft yellow sand and clear, gentle waves. A short hike takes you up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, where you’ll get one of the best sunrise views in Australia. Dolphins are often spotted from the cliff edges. 

You’ll also find weekend markets with handmade crafts, free live music in parks, and occasional beach yoga sessions.

How to get there:
Catch a bus from Brisbane or the Gold Coast with Greyhound or Premier. The trip takes 2–3 hours and often includes student discounts.

What to do for free:

• Hike to Cape Byron Lighthouse (great sunrise view)

• Swim or relax at The Pass or Wategos Beach

• Explore art markets and listen to live street music

Where to stay:

• The Arts Factory Lodge is fun and quirky.

• Byron Bay YHA is a clean, budget-friendly option near the centre

About 30 minutes from Perth by train, Fremantle is a historic port town with colorful markets and lively cafes. The waterfront has sandy beaches and rocky edges where waves crash. The town feels relaxed, with street art and music making it fun to explore.

How to get there:

• Train from Perth central (about $5).

What to do for free:

• Walk the harbor and beaches.

• Visit markets and enjoy street art.

• Listen to local musicians performing outdoors.

Where to stay:

• Fremantle Backpackers or local budget hotels.

• Share Airbnb with friends to save money.

If you really want to put yourself out there and enjoy your time in Australia as much as you can, you can consider joining IDP’s social events too! 

Most of our events are free. They’re meant to connect you with fellow students and provide information on study and migration topics. In some of our events, you can also win freebies and exclusive offers to help your study abroad dreams.

Curious to know more? Just join our IDP Thrive anytime! See you at one of our events soon

Just 1 hour south of Sydney, Royal National Park is a large green area with walking trails along rocky coastline. You’ll find quiet beaches with soft golden sand and peaceful picnic spots beside fresh streams. The air smells like eucalyptus trees, and the waves quietly hit the shore. It’s a calm nature escape very close to the city.

How to get there:

• Take the train to Cronulla, then a ferry to the park (around $7–10 total).

What to do for free:

• Walk coastal trails with ocean views.

• Relax on quiet sandy beaches.

• Picnic near freshwater streams and spot birds.

Where to stay:

• Nearby hostels in Cronulla are budget-friendly.

• Or do a day trip from Sydney to save on accommodation.
  

Newcastle has everything you love about a beach city—clean surf, student-friendly cafes, and walkable streets—but without the high prices of Sydney. It’s less crowded, but still lively.

Start your day walking from Newcastle Beach to Nobbys Lighthouse. The coastal path passes ocean pools, lookout points, and grassy areas perfect for a picnic. Newcastle Ocean Baths is a large, open-air saltwater pool that’s free to use. 

After your swim, you can check out markets, watch street music at The Station, or grab food from local food trucks.

How to get there:

From Sydney, take a 2.5-hour train. It costs around $8 with an Opal card.

What to do for free:

• Swim at Newcastle Ocean Baths or Bar Beach

• Walk the Bathers Way coastal path to the lighthouse

• Visit markets and catch live performances at The Station

Where to stay:

• Newcastle Beach YHA is close to the sand and great for students.

• You can also book group stays through Airbnb near the beach.

So there you have it! 10 amazing, wallet-friendly destinations just waiting for you.

You don’t need a car. You don’t need stacks of cash. All you need is a bit of planning, a student card, and that adventurous spirit that brought you to Australia in the first place.

Whether you're craving beaches, bushwalks, or a bit of both, there’s a perfect escape just around the corner from your city. 

And guess what? Some of the best memories you’ll make won’t cost you a cent.

But if you ever feel unsure about travelling solo, or just want company for your next weekend trip, you don’t have to go alone.

IDP is here to provide you with social events, internship opportunities, exclusive offers, and most importantly, a growing community of international students just like you, so you can explore more of Australia while building lifelong friendships!