The best accommodations Australia

Budget & Tips

Wild camping in Australia is forbidden, and if you camp in an illegal area, the fines can be quite steep. Wikicamp is honestly the most indispensable app if you're traveling by van: this participatory application will help you find free campsites, sometimes located in beautiful places off the beaten track. What's more, there's a huge choice of hotels, motels and even weekly apartments everywhere.

Some of Australia'sgreat cattle stations, or farms, offer bed and breakfast accommodation for immersive, authentic vacations in the heart of the Outback. This type of tourism allows you to meet real Aussies in a rural setting and share in their daily activities. To find out where to go, contact specialized organizations such as WWOOF (https://wwoof.com.au/). Its members farm exclusively organically.

If you're on a budget, you'll want to check out youth hostels, hostels and campsites. Countless youth hostels (or YHA - Youth Hostelling Association) are scattered across Australia. Increasingly, these hostels offer rooms for couples and families at between AU$100 and AU$120 per night. Dormitory beds (often 4 or 8 beds) cost, on average, between AU$30 and AU$50 per night. The advantage of youth hostels is that they allow everyone, regardless of age, to travel, meet new people and take part in sporting activities at lower cost. There's always a communal kitchen, sometimes a cafeteria and a swimming pool. Generally speaking, YHAs are more expensive, from AU$2 to AU$5, in cities like Sydney or Melbourne, but for the same level of service, they are exemplary in their cleanliness. Be sure to book well in advance for certain periods (New Year's Eve in Sydney, Mardi Gras in Sydney), as demand is very high. Prices also soar during these periods, with dormitory beds fetching over AU$100 a night in Sydney in December!

To be booked

Except during school vacations and the summer season, there's no need to book far in advance: in town or in the bush, accommodation is plentiful and varied. However, in the big cities and during major events such as Melbourne or Sydney, remember to book your accommodation in advance. In bush campsites, reservations are not necessary if you're just looking for a pitch for your tent. Be careful, however, if you're traveling with a camper van or caravan in high season. Please also note that online reservations are now compulsory in all national parks in Western Australia (Park Stay WA) and the Northern Territory(NT Parks booking system).

What's very local

Please note that some campsites require a permit to access the sites and facilities. And while we're on the subject of Australian camping, don't forget your swag! This sophisticated sleeping bag adapts to any terrain and is easy to unfold. Carried for decades by farmhands working from farm to farm, the swag was an essential item for anyone wanting to sleep under the stars! From a simple sleeping bag combined with a blanket to a complete bivouac, swag is often made up of a layer of foam with a waterproof coating. In short, a single item for a comfortable extra bed!

Another local speciality is the famous Australian hotel-pubs. Found in small towns, they offer a traditional hostel formula. They often occupy old buildings with handsome facades and wrought-iron verandas. Comfort is highly variable and can sometimes leave much to be desired. These hotel-pubs, where Aussies come to quench their thirst for beer, always include a restaurant or bar. Single rooms, sometimes with shared bathroom, start at AU$60. In small towns, the hotel-pub is often the only lively place after 8pm. The atmosphere can be frenzied: not to be expected if you plan to go to bed early, as the music generally doesn't stop until 2am!

For food lovers

Not counting youth hostels and backpackers, the vast majority of hotels offer breakfast service (often at extra cost). These are mostly served buffet-style, with a variety of sweet and savory options.