Tennessee draws visitors for myriad reasons: music, food, nature, civil rights history and art (yes, art). And if you’re heading this way and love a good free road trip activity, you may be looking for the best mural cities in Tennessee. As a bona-fide mural chaser, traveler and a public art nonprofit president, I’m here to be your guide. After all, I want you to see the very best art my home state has to offer!
“Art of Harmony” mural by Ty Christian; beauty image mural in Tullahoma by Sophi Odling
My husband and I have been seeking out cities with great public art—think: Cincinnati, Austin, Lisbon, Oklahoma City, Portland—for more than two decades. And for seven years now, we’ve also been helping develop the face of public art in rural parts of Tennessee through our nonprofit work. Murals drive tourism, and they have the domino effect of attracting visitors, who then spend money at local businesses. It’s a win-win for everyone.
If you’re traveling to the Volunteer State and want to go on your own public art road trip, I’ve got some ideas for you. Starting from west to east, here are the best mural cities in Tennessee and what to see while you’re there.
Memphis, Tennessee
If you want the true pulse of Tennessee, start in Memphis. This city is the home to blues, jazz, gospel and a whole host of creatives during their thing. From Beale Street to the Mississippi River, Overton Park to Broad Avenue, Memphis has so many nooks and crannies to explore and murals to unearth. I have a full guide to the best murals in Memphis here, as well as other guides to planning a weekend in Memphis.
Memphis murals by Damon Lamarreed and Pugs Atomz, Dustin Spagnola, Qwynto, Alive Paint and Siphne A. Sylve, Sarah Painter and Cosby Hayes
The story of Waverly’s art scene is the result of one local entrepreneur’s love for train graffiti. He wondered, if given legal permission to paint, what these artists could be capable of if they weren’t trespassing or vandalizing. So he started the Walls Art Park in Waverly to allow creatives the space to do just that. The Walls Art Park first opened in 2018 with 14 walls scattered among three wooded acres; a year later, Klein added two acres, which allowed for even more walls once trees were cleared and trails added. Today, the park spans 80+ paintable surfaces, and Klein has plans to expand into the adjoining 10 acres with camping areas and other forms of three-dimensional art like sculptures and wood carving. Waverly is also home to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and Johnsonville State Historic Park.
When it comes to sheer volume, Nashville’s murals are unmatched. Corporations like the Tennessee Titans have seen the value of public art, and several neighborhoods like the Nations have developed policies where new developments must sponsor art installations as a gift to the community. Some names to watch out for include local muralists Cymone Wilder, Mobe, Folek, Kim Radford and Whitney Herrington, as well as international names like Beau Stanton and Guido van Helton, who designed the famed Silo mural. And yes, there’s even a Kelsey Montague wings mural, much as I hate to even mention it. If you’re coming to Music City, the art scene is very spread out, so I made this mural guide to Nashville, which I update frequently, to make your experience a bit more seamless.
Nashville murals by Sarah Painter and Cymone Wilder, Jason Woodside, Thomas Halloran, Sentrock
Manchester is where we first started our public art nonprofit—much to the chagrin of some of the older folks in town—and we were able to make an immediate impact by transforming the entrance to the downtown Manchester square almost overnight. In the years to come, we added pieces throughout the Manchester greenway, as well as one at exit 110 at Foothills Craft to raise awareness of suicide prevention. This mural happens to be on the way to Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park for those who are coming down to visit Manchester’s lovely state park and waterfalls.
Manchester murals by Tara Aversa, Matt Willey, Sarah Painter and Cosby Hayes, Ivan Roque
Tullahoma is where I was born and raised and the place I chose to come back to as an adult. It’s also a town that is plagued by a state highway and a rail line running right through its core, disturbing the walkability of the downtown—but one that draws so many visitors thanks to the presence of Arnold Air Force Base, George Dickel (dba as Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.) and Jack Daniel’s Distillery. So we decided to make it our personal project by focusing on driving people to various downtown Tullahoma businesses with the draw of public murals. We have 18 murals in Tullahoma and counting, and for as long as we live here (and there are walls to paint), it will continue to be a passion of ours. If you’re coming to Coffee County, you can use this map to see all the murals in Tullahoma and Manchester.
Tullahoma murals by Kris Kanaly, Ty Christian, Nathan Brown, JUURI, Mobe, Daria Hammond
A decade ago, Chattanooga’s art scene wouldn’t have made my list for best murals in Tennessee—too much art by committee, too little allowance for creative liberties—but the city has seen a serious renaissance in recent years. The addition of local artists like Nathan Brown making a splash with full-blown, block-long murals has made the Scenic City one I love driving through to look for new murals. Chattanooga, in general, is a great town to visit, with neighborhoods like St. Elmo and Northshore some of my favorites.
There aren’t enough powerful adjectives to describe just how much I love the town of Sweetwater. Four years ago, I only knew it by name, then we were awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant to do an original piece in a town that had ties to the suffrage movement. Sweetwater was the unanimous pick. What we found in the coming months—and later, the years—was a town that supports its small businesses, one that is devoted to the visitor experience, and a city staff who truly cares about its community. Today, Sweetwater is well on its way to 10 murals in town thanks to the visionaries in charge, and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of that. But there’s plenty more to do beyond murals, too: There’s the Lost Sea Adventure, Tsali Notch Vineyard, Sweetwater Valley Farm and the sweetest Smokies-adjacent town Tellico Plains just down the road.
Sweetwater murals by Jenny Ustick, Kim Radford, Megan Lingerfelt, Whitney Herrington
Where to stay in Sweetwater: Remedies Inn right on Main Street
Knoxville, Tennessee
If I had to name the artiest town in Tennessee, I would respond with Knoxville, no contest. Large university towns often pump out some of the most creative endeavors, and UT’s The School of Art has helped pave the careers of many notable alumni like designer/illustrator Paris Woodhull, who has her own downtown storefront. But what I love most about Knoxville’s artistic fabric is the mindful placemaking: the ever-changing murals of Strong Alley, the inspiring sculptures in Krutch Park, the brand-new Knox Walls. If every city approached creativity the way Knoxville does, the world would be in great shape.
Knoxville murals by Megan Lingerfelt and Curtis Glover, Paris Woodhull
We’ve installed many more murals in small towns that could eventually earn a spot on this best mural cities in Tennessee list with the addition of more original pieces in the future (and absolutely no wings). Here’s a map of all of our DMA installations throughout the state.
After a few days camped out in the North Bay of San Francisco, we relocated to the city and four nights gave us ample time to to revisit our old haunts. But there’s one thing we made a priority, and that was taking a Half Moon Bay day trip to Martin’s Beach.
This post was last updated in March 2025.
Getting Around the Bay Area
Having a car in San Francisco can be one big headache: It’s either an arm and a leg to park overnight or you have to comply with very strict street parking rules (including paying attention to street cleaning times, which are always very random), something we learned the hard way living there and racking up too many parking tickets to count.
On our second day in San Francisco, we picked up our rental, which we got for a steal—under $300 for a full week from Enterprise—so we had a car for the duration of our trip.
But we knew we’d be turning it in early to avoid the hassle of driving around in circles waiting for a spot to open up only then having to move it every two hours we were stationary, so we planned our day trip to Half Moon Bay for the first weekday then turned in the car early.
Sadly, there’s no real public transportation method to get you up and down the coast, so if you want to see a bit of Highway 1 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway), you’re going to need a car. If you’re traveling on your own dime and not your company’s, I always recommend renting from a location within a city and not at the airport to save money on those airport taxes.
And let me just say if you are only going to rent a car for one day, make it a weekday. Despite the sunny, relatively warm weather, our beach day in North California was blissfully empty. There was literally nobody there.
Cruising Down Highway 1
Our first house together in the Bay Area was in South San Francisco, meaning Pacifica was just over the hill. SVV surfed there often, and my Bikram studio was located there, as well, so we popped down to the crescent-shaped Pacifica State Beach en route to Half Moon Bay to snap some photos.
Despite the sunny day, it was cold out. I was bundled up in a long-sleeved shirt, a vest and a sweater on top, and yet these surfers were out there in the 60-degree water in just a seven-millimeter wetsuit. Further proof I could never be a surfer.
We didn’t stay long (see: freezing outside!) and, from there, headed further south to the famed Mavericks and the town of Half Moon Bay. This was always—and still is—our favorite part of the Bay Area, and you can see why from this little video of our drone footage I put together.
We spent a glorious four hours on the lesser-known Martin’s Beach, which was quite literally vacant until we arrived. How that can still happen in a state with nearly 40 million residents and even more tourists is beyond me.
This is the exact spot we were the moment my brother-in-law texted that my niece Charlotte was born at 3:07pm, and I’ll forever cherish that despite the fact that no act of God could get us to convince the airlines to put us on an earlier flight home to meet her as she made her entry into the world.
It’s an interesting thing, the Pacific Ocean. If you gave me the choice, nine times out of 10, I would pick the balmy waters of the Gulf, warm enough to swim in 75 percent of the time and devoid of great white sharks that just feel as if they’re lurking behind every seal-laden rock.
But I see the appeal of the Pacific, I do. SVV always says: “The Gulf is tame and predictable—unless you count hurricanes. The Pacific Ocean is alive, breathing and will smack you in the face if you turn your back on it. There’s something exciting about that.”
“There’s a reason I would go surfing six days a week after working on my feet all day. It’s cleansing and invigorating. It’s constantly being churned. It’s full of life on a level that’s just not seen anywhere with warm water. That cold water breathes energy into the environment, and you can’t ignore it when you’re in the ocean.”
He swam laps in his beloved Pacific despite it never getting above 65 out that day while I stayed bundled up on the shore of Martin’s Beach.
After we’d soaked up all the sun our pallid winter skin could take, we headed back to the town of Half Moon Bay, but not before making an impromptu stop in the mustard fields that flanked the sea cliffs. You think it’s the ocean that gives all of Northern California its color? You haven’t seen the half of it.
We concluded our day trip with a stop at the local brewery and both agreed that while we miss the easy access to places like Half Moon Bay, we don’t miss the harsh realities of day-to-day life in San Francisco.
For those of you also making the journey, if you’re looking for the most perfect day trip from San Francisco, you can never go wrong with Half Moon Bay and the secret Martin’s Beach. Though it appears to be private, it is open to the public—at least for the time being.
Planning a California vacation? I have plenty of added ideas here:
When my mom and I were planning a trip to Indian Wells, one of the major tennis tournaments, a couple years back, I had so many questions. What sessions should we buy? Where should we stay? And how many days on site is enough? This is California, after all; we’ll likely want to see more of the Palm Springs area beyond tennis, right?
This post was last updated in March 2025.
And with the latest BNP Paribas Open underway from now through March 16, let’s talk all thinks Indian Wells.
About the “fifth Slam”
Though Indian Wells is not one of the four grand slams—which, in order, are the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open—it’s one of the biggest master events. The fifth-most attended tournament after the slams boasts the second-largest permanent tennis stadium in the world after Arthur Ashe in New York, and all your favorite pro tennis players will be there assuming they aren’t sidelined with an injury.
In fact, it’s a mandatory WTA 1000 and ATP Masters 1000 event, and the player field includes the top 75 male and female players in the world, as well as wild cards and qualifiers. It’s also in a stunning setting referred to as “the Garden,” sheltered between desert and mountains.
As a former tennis player on the USTA circuit and a big fan in my adult years, I took copious notes during our five days at BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in hopes it’s easier for you to plan your own trip to one of the most prestigious tournaments in pro tennis. Even if you’re a fair-weather fan, you’ll love this event, I promise you.
How to get to Indian Wells
First things first: How do you even get to Indian Wells? Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is just 15 miles west of the tennis garden and services many direct flights a day. I’ve flown into Palm Springs via Dallas on American Airlines, and I’ve also flown direct from Nashville to Palm Springs on Allegiant Airlines. If you’re flying internationally or don’t have an easy connection to PSP, you can arrive via any of the LA-area airports like LAX, rent a car and drive the two hours to the desert. In our case, it was cheaper to fly into Palm Springs.
You absolutely will need a rental car when you arrive, especially for getting out to and around Indian Wells. The desert area of Southern California is very spread out, and while ride-sharing does exist out there, it’s not the most reliable mode of transportation in the area. On my last two visits to Palm Springs—March of the two past years—I’ve rented a car and only taken an Uber if parking was going to be an issue.
Also worth noting is the Indian Wells tennis tournament falls during prime Spring Break season every year, so you’ll also be competing with families looking for a little late-winter sun. In other words, book your rental car as far out as you can when planning a future Palm Springs vacation, a lesson we learned the hard way when I spaced on booking a car and could not find a single vehicle for rent three weeks out. You can check rental car prices and availability for Expedia here or Discover Cars here.
Where to stay for Indian Wells
The Greater Palm Springs area spans nine cities—Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella—and it’s all positively stunning desert terrain, so it can be hard to figure out where to stay for Indian Wells. If I were going to the area simply to enjoy the food, dining and art, I would stay in Palm Springs, as we’ve done several times before.
However, traveling to Palm Springs for tennis is a different ball game. If you’re a mega-fan and plan to be on site from start time till well after dark each day, you’ll want to stay as close to the grounds as possible: in Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage or Indio. For our own Indian Wells experience last year, Mom and I booked a vacation rental in Cathedral City with a pool. It was great to kick it by the pool each morning before heading to the tennis center grounds each afternoon.
That 25-minute drive to and from Indian Wells, plus parking then walking to the courts, at the start and finish of each day got old quickly, though. If we were to do it again, I’d book much further out and snag a rental house in Indian Wells instead. It’s a good strategy for groups, too; if some individuals don’t want to stay as long as you do, they can easily Uber or Lyft back to your hotel or rental.
Hotels and rental houses can be pricey during the BNP Paribas Open, and we booked our rental about six months before when inventory was still high. Here are a few hotels in Indian Wells and rentals near the tennis garden where you might start with your lodging search:
How to pick seats at Indian Wells
By far the most annoying thing about Indian Wells was hacking the ticketing system. There are so many options, and while I’ve been to tennis Grand Slams, seating for every tennis tournament is different. When I first booked our seats at Indian Wells, I had no idea what sessions to book and whether I needed seats or not—and wound up wasting a lot of money. Hopefully, my errors helps others in the same situation. The short of it is: If you plan to watch the center court matches, you’ll need to book seats.
Grounds passes at Indian Wells
Grounds passes (from $30 to $60 a day) are available for day sessions only through the fourth round play, which goes March 2-12, 2025, and will allow you to stay at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the evening sessions, as well. Grounds passes do give you access to non-reserved seating for Stadiums 2 through 9 the entire day; that said, a good majority of night sessions take place on Court 1, so only having a grounds pass is not the best option if you want to see night matches.
Pro tip: If you’re on a tight budget, grounds passes for qualifying matches on the first three days—in 2025, that’s March 2, 3 and 4—are just $10.
Stadium 2 is included in the day session as well as the night session and many of the big players who aren’t assigned the main stadium will play their matches there. The only issue we found is that a lot of Stadium 2 is reserved, so seats can be tough to come by during big matches and on the opposite side of the stadium from the entrance. Also, Stadium 2 is half-shaded and half-direct sun in the height of afternoon, which can not only be brutally hot but also tough conditions for watching a match.
Access to the main court at Indian Wells
If you want access to the matches at the main court, Stadium 1, day or night, you must purchase a separate ticket, which is attached to a seat. We didn’t realize this in advance and found ourselves buying night tickets each day to ensure we saw the big matches.
Stadium 1 prices range dramatically from $60 in the earlier rounds into the thousands for the quarterfinals, semis and finals. On average, I’d say we spent around $175 per person for seats every time we booked a Stadium 1 ticket. This was often on top of what we had already spent for day session passes. A few times we sat in nosebleeds, and two nights we sprung for the lower bowl. The 400 levels are so high, it’s incredibly hard to follow the match, so I’d say if you’re going to spend the money, do so when you can get tickets in a 100 or 200 section.
Since they scan your tickets via the BNP Paribas app to get into Stadium 1, you will only be able to access the section for which you bought your ticket. In other words, no seat-creeping to move up to a vacant section.
For Stadium 1, there’s a Daily Double option where you can reserve the same seat for the entire day; this is the more economical option now that I realize how much extra we spent to see matches at Stadium 1 after already purchasing day grounds passes. Next time we go, I’ll go this route on the days when all of our favorite players are scheduled for the main court.
My biggest tip for booking tickets is to wait until the week you’re attending—even day of in some cases—so you know what matches you’ll want to see. We made a classic rookie move and booked all our tickets months out being afraid sessions would sell out, then wasted so much money on tickets we didn’t use once we arrived to the garden and realized we needed a separate ticket for some matches. We wound up springing for several nighttime sessions because my mom is tennis’ number one fan and wanted to see many of her favorites take the court.
Luckily, we were able to buy tickets day of on the app. We also stopped in the box office to buy some tickets in person, but that was a much lengthier experience. When possible, I recommend buying tickets through the app.
Buying the series packages
If you’re planning for next year, you could set your calendar for when tickets open in the fall and splash out on the series package instead, which gives you access to every match, every day on every court with an assigned seat. Series packages start at $800 for Loge or $1200 for Prime Loge, then start at $2,850 per person for a stadium box.
Honestly, with as much as we spent going four days and buying day sessions and night sessions a la carte, we will be going this route next time. Per the Indian Wells website, Series Packages patrons are able to sell or transfer their tickets for any individual session they are unable to attend, so this is ideal if you want to see a whole lot of tennis.
Note: Tennis is not a spectator sport for the budget traveler; that said, if you don’t care about seeing the biggest names in tennis, you can get away with just purchasing single day sessions and it will be much more affordable.
The food and drink at Indian Wells
We ate many meals on-site at the tennis garden, and they were fine, nothing impressive but they did the trick when we didn’t want to leave between matches. The lines were often long, and if you want to get into any of the handful of seated restaurants like Nobu, you need to get there early as they don’t do reservations, only walk-ins.
We also had quite a few drinks, which were limited to frozen margaritas and a limited selection of domestic beers. That said, if you go to the center of the garden, you’ll be able to buy more cocktails from whatever tournament sponsors have activations that year.
When is the best time to attend Indian Wells?
This is all personal opinion. Like any tennis tournament, I prefer attending right in the middle. We got into Palm Springs on a Saturday at the end of the first week and went to Indian Wells every day but one from Saturday through Wednesday and, as a result, saw second, third and fourth round matches for men’s and women’s, both singles and doubles.
While seeing the semifinals or finals would be awesome, my mom and I both agree that we love attending a tennis tournament right smack in the middle due to the sheer number of matches we get to see and the fact that we have a better chance of seeing all our favorites play.
Other things to know about attending Indian Wells
There’s a clear bag policy for larger bags. Like most sporting events, Indian Wells requires the use of clear bags. Since the weather changes dramatically in the desert and you likely will need a light jacket after the sun sets, I recommend buying a clear plastic backpack that’s the maximum size (12” x 6” x 12”) to use as a day bag for your time at the tennis tournament. You can also bring in a purse (does not have to be clear) so long as it isn’t larger than 4.5″ by 6.5″, and I use this clear belt bag (or fanny pack) often when I don’t feel like the added weight on my back.
Bring a hat or visor and sunscreen. No big surprise, but the sun in the desert is brutal. Even when the temperatures hover in 70, the direct sunlight beating down on you is court side. Be sure you put some sort of hat in your bag, lather up on sunscreen and plan on a touch-up every few hours. I’m a big fan of these visors and also have this visor in several colors.
Bring in your own water. The refreshment lines at Indian Wells were long, and it was rare we didn’t have to wait 10 minutes or more just to get water. Had I known you could bring in your own canister, I would have packed my S’well (and also cut back on single-use plastic in the process).
The grounds open at 10am every day. While the matches don’t start until 11am—and often, there weren’t any we wanted to see until 2 or 3—it was nicer being there early in the day when crowds were fewer and parking lots not as packed.
Make sure your phone is charged before you arrive. Everything at Indian Wells—tickets, food and drink sales, merch—is cashless. Because the service is so bad in the desert, this will very quickly drain your phone battery, and you’ll need your phone to check the app for updated match times, as well as to scan in and out. A few times, my phone died entirely and there’s virtually nowhere to charge it inside the grounds, so I’d recommend also packing a portable external charger in your purse or day bag, as well as a phone lanyard so you can keep your phone close but not have to worry about losing it.
Note where you parked. Be sure and drop a pin on your phone reminding you where you parked. The parking lot is massive, and it all looks the same (because, well, desert!). Make a note before you go in the grounds and take a photo of it to help as a visual reminder. And then also write it down in case your phone does die!
Would I go back to Indian Wells?
Absolutely. This was such a fun tennis tournament in the most magical setting. We got to see so many of our favorite players take the court—Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Taylor Fritz, Rafael Nadal, Shelby Rogers, Jenson Brooksby, Maria Sakkari, Paula Badosa, Jack Sock, Caty McAnally, the list goes on—and I’ve rarely seen my mom happier. We just returned from the Australian Open and are slowly working our way through other WTA 1000 events, but I’m really hoping we can make a repeat trip to the Indian Wells tennis tournament in the years to come.
Hoping to plan out your Australia trip cost? Here is a detailed guide for what you might spend Down Under!
Australia is a magnificent country full of natural beauty and man-made wonders.
Visitors can scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, surf in the Gold Coast, and road trip through Outback destinations like Alice Springs or Uluru.
You can also marvel at the Sydney Opera House, explore Melbourne, and visit world class beaches outside Perth.
Australia offers vibrant cities, charming culture, unique wildlife, and natural wonders. But what does a trip to Australia cost?
This amazing country is not the cheapest in the world, but it is still worth visiting. You just have to plan your trip well and think about your budget ahead of time.
You could absolutely spend tons of money in Australia if you’re lax with your budget. Dine at fancy restaurants, take taxis everywhere, and stay in luxury hotels. OR, lower your Australia cost with some budget travel tips like staying in hostels, camping, cooking your own food, or finding cheap tours.
We’re going to break down the typical costs for a trip to Australia. Though it’s easy to make Australia an expensive trip, it’s also very doable on a tight budget.
In this guide to Australia travel cost, we’ll cover these main categories: flights, transport, accommodation, food, and activities. We’ll also mention other expenses that you might find, such as visas and travel insurance.
For the budget travelers out there, we’ll also cover any budget travel tips that can help lower your Australia cost. With a bit of discipline and mindful spending, you can have the trip of a lifetime without blowing all of your savings.
Take this advice and cater it to your own travel style and financial situation. Every traveler is different, so this is just meant to help you organize your own trip!
Get ready for the Australia trip of a lifetime!
Australia travel cost overview
Here is what some typical costs may look like for your Australia trip. We won’t include flights in this estimate, as flights will vary greatly depending on where you are departing from.
Average prices may vary based on season as well. If you visit in the off season, you can generally score cheaper prices on accommodation and activities.
Your travel expenses will also depend on your travel style. We’ll list some average prices for the following categories based on budget, mid-range, and luxury.
Keep in mind, there are just estimates, and actual expenses will hugely vary person to person.
Transportation
Budget – $20 per day
Mid-Range – $30 – $50 per day
Luxury – $60 – $100 per day
Accommodation
Budget – $20 – $70 per night
Mid-Range – $100 – $200 per night
Luxury – $300+ per night
Food
Budget – $20 – $40 per day
Mid-Range – $50 – $70 per day
Luxury – $80 – $150 per day (or more)
Activities
Budget – $50 – $200 per week
Mid-Range – $250 – $400 per week
Luxury – $500 – $1,000 per week
Flights to Australia
Depending on where in the world you live, flights to Australia may be one of your trip’s biggest expenses. Australia is quite an isolated continent, so most flights to reach the country are long-haul (unless you’re coming from somewhere close like New Zealand).
If you’re flying to Australia from somewhere far, like Europe or the Americas, you can easily spend $1,000 or more on a one-way flight.
But to visit Australia, you’ll just have to bite the bullet and book a flight.
Many people who travel to Australia tend to stay for a while, simply because it is so far away from most of the world. A three to four week trip is common, though you could easily spend years in Australia and still not see everything!
But for those who are determined to book that trip to Australia, the flight prices are always worth it. And saving money on your Australia flight is easier than you think!
Tips to save money on your flight to Australia
If you’re hoping to lower your Australia cost, you might be able to score a cheap flight with these travel tips.
Fly off season
Every country has its peak season and its off season. Australia is a large country, so the peak season varies depending on where you go.
For example, Sydney’s peak season is summer (December, January, February) and the off season is winter (June, July, August).
But somewhere hot and tropical, like Cairns, has winter as its peak season. Summer is the off season because it gets very hot and humid, but you can get some really cheap flights to the tropics at this time of year.
So depending on where you want to go, consider a visit in the off season! Average prices for flights in off season are often significantly cheaper than peak season.
You can also visit in shoulder season for that sweet spot of nice weather combined with cheaper prices.
Be flexible with your itinerary
Having flexibility with your trip to Australia means you can plan your itinerary around the cheapest flights.
Do some browsing online to see the cheapest flights to Australia from your home country.
Most travellers fly into Sydney, but you can also find cheap international flights into Brisbane, Perth, or Melbourne.
Maybe it’s costly for you to fly to Sydney in New South Wales, but maybe it’s surprisingly cheap to fly to Perth in Western Australia.
If you haven’t planned out an itinerary yet, perhaps you can organise your trip based on where the cheapest flights are! There is stunning beauty all over the country, so you can easily plan an epic adventure no matter where you arrive.
Get creative with layovers
Because Australia is so far from much of the world, it’s pretty rare to find a cheap AND direct flight.
Generally, the more layovers you have, the cheaper the flight price is. If you don’t mind taking some slightly more inconvenient layovers on the way to Australia, you may be able to get a much cheaper overall price.
You could also combine Australia with a trip to elsewhere nearby, such as New Zealand, Fiji, or Southeast Asia.
Though you may spend more money if you add on another country, you’ll get much more value out of your trip. Something to consider!
Most travelers start their Australia trip in Sydney.
Transportation costs within Australia
Once you arrive in Australia, you’ll need to get around the country. There are lots of great ways to get around Australia, so you can choose the ones that best suit your time frame and budget.
Those who want to save money can combine the cheapest forms of transport, such as walking and public buses for small distances in a city center, and coach buses or domestic flights for long distances.
A mid-range travel style might see a car or campervan rental paired with some domestic flights, taxis, or public transport.
Luxury travel will likely include just the most convenient methods of transport such as car rentals, taxis, and domestic flights to get around.
Domestic flights
Australia is absolutely massive. So if your trip to Australia includes lots of destinations, domestic flights can be very helpful.
For example, driving from Sydney to Perth will take you at least 3 days if you drive all day long with no stops. But flying there will only take 5 hours.
Domestic flights can be really cheap as well! Especially if you fly off-season and use budget airlines such as Jetstar, you can find one-way flights within Australia for around $100 or less one way.
This is a great way to save time on traveling overland, which can sometimes be a bigger journey than you’d expect in Australia.
Coach bus
Those who prefer to travel by land can get coach buses around Australia.
Greyhound is one of the most popular long-haul bus companies that visits cities and towns all over the country.
Just remember that driving distances can be very long in Australia! Utilise overnight buses where possible to optimise your time.
For example, a bus from Sydney to Melbourne is around 12 hours of driving. A bus from Sydney to Byron Bay is 13 hours of driving. Bus prices vary as well, so make sure you research the route you want to take.
If the bus and a flight are similar prices, you may prefer to take a flight to save time. But if you’re not in a rush and you find some cheap tickets, buses are a great way to get around Australia.
You can also get great deals on bus passes that include multiple journeys. For example, a Greyhound bus pass for the East Coast includes unlimited travel between Sydney and Cairns and prices start at around $330.
Car or campervan rental
One of the absolute best ways to explore on your trip to Australia is a road trip!
Flights can save you lots of travel time and help you pack in lots of destinations into a 1 or 2 week trip. But for those with a bit more time and flexibility, consider a road trip in a car or campervan.
Road trips allow you to see more of Australia, appreciating the natural beauty and small towns in between the tourist hotspots.
Car rental prices vary depending on your time frame, vehicle type, and location. But average costs can be anywhere from $50 – $100 per day.
A fun alternative to renting a regular car is hiring a campervan. Australia is absolutely packed with epic campsites, and a campervan lets you have a more flexible road trip because you can camp along the route.
Campervans are usually between $100 – $500 per day, depending on the quality and inclusions. But the price tag is often worth it. You can save money on accommodation and food by doing your road trip in a van that includes a bed and kitchen!
The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.
Public transportation within cities
Most Australian cities and larger towns have decent public transportation systems. Trains, trams, metros, and public buses are common in a city center, and they are a cheap and reliable way to get around a given area.
Most public transportation costs have reasonable rates that are no more than a couple of dollars per journey. Some longer rides and airport transfers may be more expensive at $15 – $10.
Though you can also try to walk as much as possible if saving money is a priority.
Most larger cities in Australia are safe, with lots of attractions within walking distance. Walk when you can, and take a local bus or train for larger distances in a city center.
Public transport is of course, slightly more hassle than taxis or Ubers. But it’s much cheaper!
Taxis and rideshare apps
If you have a bigger budget for your Australia trip, you can catch taxis and rideshare apps around most areas in Australia.
In popular cities like Sydney, Gold Coast, or Melbourne, taxis and rideshare apps will likely cost more money than in smaller towns. But the perk of being in a city center is that public transport will almost always be available when you need it.
If you’re in a very small, rural town, public transport might be more rare. In that case, local taxis may be your only option, but they likely won’t be too expensive.
It goes without saying that if saving money is your priority, try to stick to walking and public transport as opposed to taxis and rideshares.
Getting around Australia is half the fun!
Accommodation costs in Australia
Accommodation is often a pretty big expense while traveling anywhere in the world. A trip to Australia is no different!
There are lots of different places to stay on your trip, from budget backpacker hostels to wilderness campgrounds to fancy hotels and basic motels.
In popular tourist destinations, such as the East Coast, you’ll have a greater variety of accommodations to choose from. In remote, small towns, there may only be a handful of local hotels so you’ll have less choice.
But here is an overview of the most common accommodation types and what they typically cost in Australia.
Hostels
Hostels are a great option for budget travelers, though hostels in Australia are definitely on the expensive side.
Dorm rooms are generally between $20 – $70 per night, with the higher costs in popular cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
Prices may also be more expensive during peak season (summer and around holidays).
You can also get private rooms in hostels for roughly $100 per night. This may be slightly cheaper than hotel rooms! But a dorm bed is always the best way to save money in Australia.
Camping
Australia is one of the best countries in the world for camping! Picture well-maintained campgrounds surrounded by lush forest or stunning beaches.
Some have excellent amenities like kitchens, BBQ, and hot showers. These well-equipped campgrounds often cost money, but not much compared to a hotel.
Nicer campgrounds in Australia cost around $10-40 per night, depending on the time of year, day of week, and quality of the campground.
You can also find basic campgrounds with little to no facilities. Many of these are either free or very cheap at just $5-10 per night.
The only downside to camping as a traveler in Australia is that you also need gear! If you can hire a campervan that includes all the gear, that’s a convenient way to do it.
You can also buy cheap secondhand camping gear on GumTree or Facebook marketplace.
Camping in Australia is a magical experience.
Hotels and motels
If you prefer private rooms in classic hotels or motels, these are common around Australia as well.
Hostels are not very common in the less touristy regional towns as well, so sometimes hotel rooms are the only option.
But all over Australia you should have no problem finding mid-range hotels that are nice but won’t break the bank.
Private rooms in mid-range hotels and motels often cost between $100 and $200 per night, with costs creeping up to $300 per night in expensive areas like Noosa, Gold Coast, or Byron Bay.
Airbnbs
Airbnbs are super popular around Australia! If you’re visiting small towns on your trip to Australia, hostels and hotels may be less common. But you can often find Airbnbs owned by locals, so these are nice and reliable.
They are generally on the more expensive side, especially when you find the rentals that include entire homes or apartments.
But if you’re visiting Australia with a group, a large Airbnb is ideal. Airbnbs can generally cost between $250 and $500 per night, depending on the quality and size of the place.
Of course, luxury hotels are also an option when you visit Australia! Big cities and popular tourist hotspots will have more options in terms of elegance and luxury.
A room in a fancy hotel in Australia might start at around $300 per night, with prices soaring higher for the five-star accommodations.
Food costs in Australia
Food costs on your trip to Australia will mirror most destinations around the world. Eating out is expensive and cooking your own food saves you money. This is true almost everywhere!
But it’s especially important in Australia to be mindful of your spending when it comes to food. Eating and drinking in bars and restaurants is very costly in Australia!
Part of a holiday should definitely involve trying some delicious food as it’s an important part of the local culture. But for the budget travelers out there, cooking some of your own meals is one of the top methods for saving money.
Average food costs in Australia
Before we dive into the tips for eating according to your budget, let’s go over some basic food costs.
These prices are just an estimate! The same dish may be cheaper at a small, local place or more expensive at a fancy place in a city. But these basic costs should be pretty consistent around Australia.
Dining out / takeaway
Coffee – $5
Bacon and egg roll – $10
Egg breakfast with sourdough and avocado – $18
Local beer – $9
Craft beer – $11
Glass of wine – $10-15
Chicken sandwich – $15-20
Seafood lunch – $30-40
Salad – $15-20 ($5 to add protein)
Pasta dish – $20-30
Steak dinner – $30-50
Vegetarian dinner – $25-30
Desserts – $10
Groceries
1kg of oats – $3-5
Box of 6 apples – $5
2kg bag of potatoes – $4-5
Bag of frozen fruit $6-10
Can of beans – $1
12 pack of eggs – $8
1kg of rice – $4-5
Box of pasta – $3-6
Whole chicken – $10
Grass fed steak – $10
Can of tuna – $2-4
1kg of coffee beans – $15-25
Bottle of wine – $10-30
6 pack of beer – $20-40
Budget
Based on the average prices above, your Australia cost will likely be lower if you try to buy food from grocery stores and cook your own meals!
Try to find an accommodation that has kitchen facilities, or hire a campervan with cooking facilities. Even if you just make one meal a day at home, this will save you so much money throughout the course of your trip.
The hardcore budget travelers can even try to cook the majority of their meals. Then when you do decide to treat yourself to a meal out, it will feel that much more special!
If you mostly spend money on groceries, with the odd meal out here and there, you might spend around $20 – $40 per day on food in Australia.
Cafe culture is huge in Australia.
Mid-Range
A mid-range traveller in Australia might want to cook some meals and dine out for some meals. A healthy mixture of the two gives you some indulgence but also helps you save money.
An average breakfast at a cafe in Australia can be around $25 per person, with a meal and a coffee.
Lunch can also be about the same, especially if you skip the drink or look for lunchtime specials. Find the best deals by researching local lunch specials, as they are quite common around Australia!
Dinner out is usually the most expensive, especially if there is a cocktail involved (which can be $20 or more in Australia).
If you want a nice balance of dining out without spending a lot, consider cooking your own dinners and eating out for breakfast or lunch as these are the cheaper meals.
Luxury
With a heftier budget, your travel style can include much more cafe and restaurant meals in Australia.
If you’re looking for a luxury food experience, you can even head to some of the more upscale, expensive restaurants. Popular in the big cities, there are many restaurants in Australia run by world-famous chefs where you can indulge in transformative food experiences.
The price tags in these places will well exceed the averages I’ve listed above. But if you have the budget for it, you can really dive into the premium food scene Down Under.
Activities in Australia
Tours and activities are essential to having a fulfilling Australia experience.
Most day tours in Australia cost around $100 – $300, depending on the tour.
Overnight tours greatly vary in cost, depending on how long the tour is and what level of luxury you get.
For example, camping overnight tours on K’gari (Fraser Island) are more affordable because you’re staying in nature without many facilities. But similar tours with resort accommodation will cost more.
On the other hand, some Whitsunday sailing tours include a stay in a luxury private catamaran cabin, and some fancy train tours across Australia include luxury cabins as well. So these tours will cost much more.
Budget Tours
If you want to keep your costs low in Australia, stick to the budget tours and day trips. Then fill most of your days with free activities like hiking, beach-hopping, and sightseeing.
But do pay attention to the cost per day for an overnight tour! Some backpacker-friendly overnight trips are actually great value for money, even if they are 2 or 3 days.
On overnight tours, your accommodation and food is usually covered in the tour price. So an overnight tour can still be affordable, especially for nature-focused tours like K’gari (Fraser Island) or camping near Uluru.
But in general, your trip will be a lot cheaper if you emphasize the free activities that Australia offers.
Mid Range
For mid-range travellers, definitely treat yourself to some amazing Australian tours. Maybe mix in some day trips, affordable overnight trips, and more luxury tours for a bit of variety.
And do your research so you can see which attractions are better with or without a tour. For example, the Great Barrier Reef is definitely better with the marine life experts on a guided tour, whereas national parks like the Blue Mountains can be easily visited without a tour.
Also take note of entrance fees for things like museums, wildlife centres, and art galleries. Pick and choose which attractions will bring you the most joy, and be selective about what you pay for to maximise your budget.
Luxury
For those who don’t mind higher costs, you can really live life to the fullest in Australia.
Book as many guided tours and experiences as you want! You can even treat yourself to private tours and private charters for trips out to sea.
There are so many cool experiences to have in Australia.
Additional costs for a trip to Australia
Most visitors can plan their travel budget for the transport, accommodation, food, and activities. But many forget about the additional expenses!
Here are some other things to include in your Australia travel budget.
Visa
Everyone visiting Australia needs a visa! Those visiting on a holiday will need a Visitor Visa, and those planning to stay longer and work can do a Working Holiday Visa.
Regardless of your intentions in Australia, you will need a visa.
A Visitor Visa is pretty cheap at around $195. Working Holiday Visas cost more at around $650, but they allow you to stay for up to a year and work to fund your trip.
It’s always a good idea to get travel insurance for a trip abroad. You never know when you might need emergency medical treatment or have some sort of travel fiasco, so it’s worth buying travel insurance to know you’re covered.
Travel insurance costs vary depending on the length of your trip to Australia, your nationality, and which provider you choose. Do a bit of shopping around to find the best plan for you!
Important Note! Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.
Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads.
Souvenirs
Souvenirs are not an essential purchase on a trip to Australia. But it’s a good idea to set aside a little cash just in case you see something that sparks your attention.
A beautiful, hand-crafted souvenir that reflects the local culture is a wonderful way to remember a trip abroad.
But try to avoid buying things just for the sake of it! You don’t want random trinkets that will just collect dust, as it’s a waste of money.
Be mindful with your spending and try to only buy meaningful souvenirs that you will actually use and cherish.
Australia Cost Wrap Up
Given all the info we just covered, it’s easy to see that Australia can easily be affordable or expensive depending on your travel style.
Most people would agree that the best way to travel is by following your intuition and being mindful. Combine a few budget travel tips with some once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
If you are going to spend your money, spend it on something that really adds value to your trip.
Whether it be a fancy hotel in a city you’ve always wanted to visit, a five-star restaurant that showcases your favorite cuisine, or a multiday tour that includes all the highlights of a given area, you can enhance your trip to Australia through buying things that mean something to you.
But to avoid any guilt or financial stress, balance that out with some frugality. Cook some meals at your accommodation, spend a few nights at a cheap hostel, or try camping in the wilderness. Skip the cocktails one night or walk around instead of taking taxis.
Be flexible with your trip and spend with intention. This will help you plan a trip to Australia that is unforgettable, but also affordable!
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