Most travelers to Australia visit the famous East Coast where the Great Barrier Reef is found, and some travelers venture out to the desolate Outback, where the combination of the big red rock Uluru and hopping marsupials create a spiritually unforgettable experience. Australia has many more beautiful places to visit that even budget travelers can visit. One-way car relocations allow visitors to travel great distances within Australia cheaply, and camping in National Parks is an unforgettable yet economical experience.
Tasmania’s National Parks and World Heritage Sites
While The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru are definitely must-sees, many travelers neglect to visit the beautiful island of Tasmania, where the infamous Tasmanian Devils can be seen and heard. One third of Tasmania consists of National Park and World Heritage Site territory, creating a delightful camping experience. Travelers should dress warmly since the island is the most southern state of Australia, making it the Southern Hemisphere’s version of north. Pubs and National Park gift shops are filled with pot-bellied wood stoves for coziness.
White Sandy Beaches on the West Coast
Also often forgotten is the West Coast, where travelers fall in love with the white sandy beaches filled with surfers, both young and old. Margaret River is a beautiful seaside community south of Perth, which attracts tourists who enjoy everything vineyards have to offer. Wine, cheese, honey and chocolate can be sampled free of charge along the wine route.
The Ningaloo Reef, which is north of Perth on the West Coast, is an excellent place to snorkel and see gigantic whale sharks. To snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef, tourists must go on pricey organized snorkeling tours on boats which takes tourists miles offshore. The Ningaloo Reef, on the other hand, is located metres off the beach and is a great place for free snorkeling.
The question remains – how does a budget traveler visit all these wonderful places? While cross-country flights can be expensive, and car rental companies charge hefty fees for dropping off vehicles in another location, there is a solution.
One-Way Car Relocations Are the Answer
Most major car rental companies offer one-way car relocation opportunities to the public. For example, a branch of a rental company in Sydney may need to have a car or motor home relocated to Perth for a customer who wants to rent it there.
The company will rent out the vehicle cheaply (as low as $5 a day) to a traveler who will drive the car to the designated location and drop if off at the rental company branch. Usually the company will give the driver 3-5 days to do this, and will often pay a portion of the gas. Travelers can check websites such as Standby Cars and phone car companies to find out about these deals.
More Ways to Save in Australia
Australia’s climate permits year-round camping in its numerous National Parks and privately owned campgrounds. Investing in a tent or renting a campervan can save vacationers a lot of money. Camping is also a fantastic opportunity to see a variety of marsupials in their natural environments. Campers in Australia regularly spot kangaroos, wallabies, possums, wombats and Tasmanian devils in the wild.
Visiting information booths in Australian cities to inquire about free or economical activities will pay off. Nature hikes to Australia’s highest waterfall, Wallaman Falls, or through the World Heritage Site, the Daintree Rainforest, are adventures of a lifetime and absolutely free. Information booths are easy to find as they are labeled on maps. They provide free brochures and great advice for the budget traveler.
Australia is truly a land of diversity - both geographically and culturally. Venturing off the East Coast to experience all this country has to offer doesn't have to cost a fortune!
Julie Atchison - Julie Atchison is an elementary school teacher in Ontario, Canada and enjoys working with students of various ages. She graduated from the ...
