2-week budget-friendly travel plan to Australia

Traveling to Australia: A Guide for Indian Explorers

Welcome  to travel blog with Dheeraj, this time we will explore Australia travelling options. Australia is a dream destination for many travelers from India, offering a stunning mix of vibrant cities, breathtaking natural wonders, and unique cultural experiences. Whether you're seeking the iconic Sydney Opera House, the vast beauty of the Outback, or the colorful marine life of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia has something for every kind of adventurer.

Why Visit Australia?

From its diverse landscapes to its laid-back lifestyle, Australia invites travelers to explore a world far beyond their everyday lives. You can stroll along golden beaches, hike through ancient rainforests, and immerse yourself in rich Indigenous culture — all in one trip. Plus, Australia’s cities are some of the most multicultural and welcoming places on the planet, making Indian travelers feel right at home.

Planning Your Trip

Traveling from India to Australia requires some preparation, but it’s easier than you might think. Indian citizens need to apply for a tourist visa, which allows stays up to three months. Flights can be affordable if booked in advance, and with a bit of budgeting, you can enjoy everything Australia has to offer without breaking the bank.

Budget-Friendly Travel Tips

Consider staying in hostels or shared accommodations to save money and meet fellow travelers.

Use public transportation passes like Sydney’s Opal card or Melbourne’s Myki card to get around cheaply.

Take advantage of free or low-cost activities like city walking tours, beaches, and national parks.

Don’t forget to try some local Australian food, but also look out for Indian restaurants, which are plentiful in major cities.

Cultural Highlights

Australia is home to the world’s oldest living culture — the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Many tours and cultural centers offer respectful and insightful experiences to learn about their history and traditions. Engaging with Indigenous culture adds a deeply meaningful dimension to your trip.

I have designed a 2-week budget-friendly Australia itinerary tailored for Indian travelers, incorporating cost-effective strategies and must-see destinations.

🇦🇺 2-Week Budget Australia Itinerary for Indian Travelers

🗓️ Days 1–3: Sydney

Accommodation: Opt for budget-friendly hostels like YHA Sydney Central or Wake Up! Sydney, with prices starting around AU$40–60 per night.

Activities:

Explore the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Relax at Bondi Beach and enjoy the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

Visit the Royal Botanic Garden and The Rocks historic area.

Budget Tips:

Utilize the Opal Card for discounted public transport fares.

Join free walking tours to learn about the city's history. 

🗓️ Days 4–6: Melbourne

Accommodation: Stay at budget accommodations like Space Hotel or Melbourne Metro YHA, with rates around AU$40–70 per night.

Activities:

Discover the city's vibrant laneways and street art.

Visit the Queen Victoria Market for affordable eats and souvenirs.

Take a day trip to the Great Ocean Road using budget tour operators.

Budget Tips:

Use the Myki Card for public transport.

Many museums and galleries offer free entry or donation-based admission. 

🗓️ Days 7–9: Cairns (Great Barrier Reef)

Accommodation: Choose budget hostels like Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel & Resort or YHA Cairns Central, with prices starting at AU$25–50 per night.

Activities:

Book a budget snorkeling tour to the Great Barrier Reef.

Explore the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, a free public swimming area.

Visit the Night Markets for affordable meals and souvenirs.

Budget Tips:

Look for combo deals that include multiple activities at a discounted rate.

Prepare some meals using hostel kitchen facilities to save on dining costs. 

🗓️ Days 10–12: Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Accommodation: Consider camping at the Ayers Rock Campground or staying in budget rooms at Outback Pioneer Lodge, with rates around AU$40–80 per night.

Activities:

Witness the sunrise and sunset over Uluru, a truly mesmerizing experience.

Explore the Uluru Base Walk and Kata Tjuta formations.

Participate in free cultural talks and ranger-guided walks offered by the park.

Budget Tips:

Purchase the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Pass online in advance to save time.

Join group tours or share rides to split transportation costs. 

🗓️ Days 13–14: Adelaide & Barossa Valley

Accommodation: Stay at budget options like Adelaide Central YHA or The Guest House, with prices starting at AU$30–60 per night.

Activities:

Explore Adelaide's Central Market and Art Gallery of South Australia.

Take a self-guided tour of the Barossa Valley, renowned for its wineries.

Relax at Glenelg Beach, accessible via tram from the city center.

Budget Tips:

Use the MetroCARD for public transport discounts.

Many wineries offer free tastings; plan your visits accordingly. 

💰 Estimated Budget Breakdown (Per Person)

Accommodation: AU$30–60 per night × 14 nights = AU$420–840

Food: AU$20–30 per day × 14 days = AU$280–420

Transportation:

Domestic flights (e.g., Sydney to Melbourne, Melbourne to Cairns): AU$150–300

Public transport and local travel: AU$100–150

Activities & Tours: AU$300–500

Miscellaneous: AU$100–150

Total Estimated Cost: AU$1,350–2,220 

Note: 1 AUD ≈ 55 INR (as of May 2025).

✈️ Flight Costs from India

Round-trip airfare: Approximately INR 60,000–90,000 (AU$1,090–1,640), depending on booking time and airline.

Tips:

Book flights 3–6 months in advance for better deals.

Use fare comparison tools and set price alerts.

Consider flying into one city and out of another to save on domestic travel. 

📄 Visa Information

Tourist Visa (Subclass 600):

Cost: Approximately INR 8,000–10,000 (AU$145–180).

Processing Time: Typically 15–30 days.

Validity: Up to 3 months per visit.

Application: Apply online through the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs. 

🧳 Travel Hacks for Indian Tourists

Currency Exchange: Exchange INR to AUD at reputable currency exchange centers in India for better rates.

SIM Cards: Purchase an Australian SIM card upon arrival for affordable data and call rates.

Travel Insurance: Opt for travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and baggage loss.

Public Transport: Utilize city transport cards like Opal (Sydney), Myki (Melbourne), and Go Card (Brisbane) for discounted fares.

Free Attractions: Many museums, galleries, and parks offer free entry; plan your itinerary to include these. 

Flight Accomodation and Tours

✈️ Flights from India to Sydney (May–June 2025)

Budget airlines like Scoot and AirAsia X offer affordable one-stop flights from major Indian cities to Sydney: 

Scoot: Flights from Chennai or Amritsar to Sydney start at approximately ₹35,000–₹51,000 round-trip.  

AirAsia X: Flights from New Delhi to Sydney are available from around ₹43,000–₹44,000 round-trip.  

Tip: Booking 3–6 months in advance can help secure the best deals. 

🏨 Budget Accommodations

Sydney (Days 1–3)

Mad Monkey Backpackers on Broadway: Offers dorm beds from AU$30 per night. 

The Village Surry Hills: Dorms starting at AU$35 per night. 

YHA Sydney Central: Dorm beds from AU$40 per night. 

Melbourne (Days 4–6)

Space Hotel: Located in Melbourne CBD, dorms from AU$35 per night.  

Melbourne City Backpackers: Dorm beds starting at AU$30 per night.  

Cairns (Days 7–9)

The Jack Backpackers: Dorm beds from AU$10.59 per night. 

Mad Monkey Village: Dorm beds from AU$12.16 per night. 

Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel & Resort: Dorm beds from AU$14.70 per night.  

Uluru (Days 10–12)

Outback Pioneer Lodge: Dorm beds from AU$40 per night. 

Ayers Rock Campground: Camping sites available from AU$20 per night. 

Adelaide (Days 13–14)

Adelaide Central YHA: Dorm beds from AU$30 per night. 

The Guest House: Dorm beds starting at AU$25 per night. 

🎟️ Affordable Tours & Activities

Cairns – Great Barrier Reef

Compass Cruises: Offers a full-day snorkeling tour to two outer reef locations for AU$115, including lunch and equipment.  

Melbourne – Great Ocean Road

1-Day Tour: Explore the Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles for AU$95, including transportation and guide.  

Uluru – Sunset Tours

SEIT Outback Australia: Offers a Sunset Tour for AU$99 per adult.  

🚍 Local Transportation

Sydney: Purchase an Opal Card for discounted fares on buses, trains, and ferries. 

Melbourne: Use a Myki Card for trams, trains, and buses. 

Cairns: Local buses are available; consider walking or cycling for short distances. 

Uluru: Limited public transport; consider joining tours or renting a car. 

Adelaide: Utilize the MetroCARD for buses, trains, and trams. 

💰 Estimated Budget (Per Person)

Flights (India to Australia round-trip): ₹35,000–₹51,000 

Domestic Flights within Australia: AU$150–AU$300 

Accommodation: AU$25–AU$50 per night × 14 nights = AU$350–AU$700 

Food: AU$20–AU$30 per day × 14 days = AU$280–AU$420 

Tours & Activities: AU$300–AU$500 

Local Transportation: AU$100–AU$150 

Miscellaneous: AU$100–AU$150 

Total Estimated Cost: Approximately AU$1,280–AU$2,220 (₹70,400–₹1,22,100) 

📄 Visa Information

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600):

Cost: Approximately AU$150 (₹8,250) 

Processing Time: Typically 15–30 days 

Validity: Up to 3 months per visit 

Application: Apply online through the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs 

Total Budget for a 2-Week Australia Trip (Per Person) - Indian Traveler

Category Cost Range (INR)

Round-trip Flights (India to Australia) ₹35,000 – ₹51,000

Visa (Subclass 600) ₹8,250

Accommodation (Hostels/Airbnb) ₹19,250 – ₹38,500

Food (Self-cooked + Budget Dining) ₹15,400 – ₹23,100

Local Transportation (Opal, Myki, Metro) ₹5,500 – ₹8,250

Tours & Activities (Reef, Uluru, Great Ocean Road) ₹16,500 – ₹27,500

Domestic Flights (Sydney → Melbourne → Cairns → Uluru) ₹12,500 – ₹25,000

Miscellaneous (Shopping, SIM card, etc.) ₹5,500 – ₹8,250

💰 Grand Total

Minimum Budget: ₹1,17,900 (Approx. $2,160 AUD)

Maximum Budget: ₹1,89,850 (Approx. $3,465 AUD)

Budget-Saving Tips

1. Book Flights Early - Reserve flights 3-6 months in advance for lower prices.

2. Stay in Hostels - Choose dormitory options; some are as low as ₹1,000/night.

3. Cook Your Own Meals - Most hostels have kitchens; groceries are cheaper than eating out.

4. Public Transport Passes - Use Opal, Myki, and Metro cards for discounted travel.

5. Free Attractions - Beaches, gardens, and museums often have free entry.

6. Group Tours - Join group packages for popular spots like Great Ocean Road and Uluru.

Final Thoughts

A trip to Australia can be a life-changing experience, filled with awe-inspiring sights and unforgettable memories. With the right planning, Indian travelers can explore this vast, beautiful country comfortably and affordably. So pack your bags, get your visa ready, and prepare to say “G’day” to a fantastic adventure!