Australia July 2023 – Accommodation, Expenses & Itinerary Report
Below is a detailed overview of my Australia July 2023 itinerary, accommodation, and expenses. While Australia isn’t entirely cashless, I found that nearly 95% of transactions can be completed by card. I carried only AU$300 in cash for emergencies, just in case any cards failed or a cash-only situation arose. During my trip, I used my AMEX card for roughly 60% of payments and VISA for the remaining 40%. Many establishments will display signs if they do not accept cash at all, so it’s easy to know beforehand.
I didn’t hold back on spending during this trip, as I wanted to experience as much as possible—after all, it’s a long journey from Vancouver, Canada! From guided tours and wildlife experiences to city dining and transport, I aimed to enjoy the full range of what Australia has to offer. That said, it’s entirely possible to do this trip more economically by staying in hostels, limiting meals out, or opting for fewer paid activities. This guide is meant to provide a realistic look at costs for a mid- to high-range traveller who wants to maximize experiences.
Itinerary
| Region | Days | Locations / Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria, Australia | 10 Days | Melbourne, Great Ocean Road Includes 2 travel days: Fly in from Vancouver, Canada → Melbourne | Fly to Sydney after Melbourne |
| Sydney (New South Wales) | 7 Days | Sydney Fly in: Melbourne → Sydney | Fly to Brisbane after Sydney |
| Brisbane (Queensland) | 6 Days | Brisbane Fly in: Sydney → Brisbane | Fly to Cairns after Brisbane |
| Cairns (Queensland) | 5 Days | Cairns Fly in: Brisbane → Cairns | Fly out: Cairns → Melbourne (overnight) → Vancouver, Canada |
Accommodations
| State | Type | Name | Price (CAD) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Hotel | Atlantis Hotel Melbourne | C$654.43 | Card |
| Victoria | Motel | Port Campbell Motor Inn | C$280.10 | Card |
| New South Wales | Hotel | ibis Styles Sydney Central | C$933.26 | Card |
| Queensland | Hotel | Soho Brisbane Hotel | C$702.67 | Card |
| Queensland | Hotel | Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside | C$774.84 | Card |
Expenses
| Category | Amount (CAD) | Payment / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Food | C$1,450.33 | Card |
| Transportation | C$1,103.42 | Card Includes local trains, buses, and all flights (domestic & international) |
| Laundry | C$71.71 | Card |
| eSIM | C$53.97 | Card |
| Activities | C$1,236.46 | Card |
| Shopping / Souvenir | C$97.84 | Card |