Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Best Bargains In Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and Brisbane?

We leave for our trip in three days. One thing we have noticed is (due in part to the weak US dollar) things are generally outrageously expensive in Australia.

So, I figured I'd ask here. Generally, do any of you have tips or tricks/secret bargains on anything down there? I mean things like food, tours, transportation, sights, shopping, that kind of thing.

We will be spending 4 days in Sydney, 4 in Cairns, 1 in Brisbane and 3 in Melbourne. I'd just like to know anything that you believe to be "a real bargain" in any of those areas.

Food: pubs (called hotels in Oz) often have excellent food and are much cheaper than similar quality restaurants.
Transportation: Syd/Mel/Bne have transportation cards that are quite cheap, with clean and frequent bus/tram/train service making it much more viable than in the US.
Prices: tax (and tip) are generally included, so US prices are actually up to 25% higher, accentuating the comparison. Retail does cost more than in the US, but you aren't going there to buy a new laptop :)
Sights: many of the best museums, galleries, etc. are free, and most tourist attractions have widely distributed 2 for 1 admission coupons (ask your hotel concierge if you can't find them, but they are everywhere). The "iconic" attractions like the Sydney Bridge climb don't discount as they sell out, but they aren't an essential experience. Some of the expensive things in Sydney, like the harbour tours, can be done very cheaply riding the ferries (included with your transit pass) and have identical routes and views if you find the right ferry :)

Thanks. Do we buy the transportation cards at the station, or do we have to buy them elsewhere in advance?

On tax and tip in the US, it doesn't really make up the difference on meals. As an example, we had a nice meal in a nice local "hole in the wall" Italian restaurant this evening, total price $16.75 for the two of us, tax included. Tip was an additional $3.35, making the total price $20.10 (or $10.05 per person) with tax and tip. My understanding is that the same meal at a comparable Italian restaurant in Australia would be close to $100 for two. But I think I've mastered at least keeping food costs down somewhat in Oz. Most of our hotels include breakfast, and we'll probably only eat one meal a day out. Also, we plan on going to Farmer's markets and maybe get some street food sometimes, with a couple of splurges on the trip.

Thanks. Do we buy the transportation cards at the station, or do we have to buy them elsewhere in advance?

On tax and tip in the US, it doesn't really make up the difference on meals. As an example, we had a nice meal in a nice local "hole in the wall" Italian restaurant this evening, total price $16.75 for the two of us, tax included. Tip was an additional $3.35, making the total price $20.10 (or $10.05 per person) with tax and tip. My understanding is that the same meal at a comparable Italian restaurant in Australia would be close to $100 for two. But I think I've mastered at least keeping food costs down somewhat in Oz. Most of our hotels include breakfast, and we'll probably only eat one meal a day out. Also, we plan on going to Farmer's markets and maybe get some street food sometimes, with a couple of splurges on the trip.

Hmm...I think you're probably blowing the food thing out a fair bit, assuming you're not meaning you paid $16.75 for two including alcohol. A good steak can be had for $20-22 at a pub (although they are historically called hotels, I'd stick to calling them pubs). By way of example my local pub has a small dining room attached that has two chef's hats (probably equivalent to a single Michelin Star), the restaurant is fairly pricey, but the food served in the pub is from the same kitchen and prepared by the same chefs. They do a wagyu steak for $21 with thick cut fries.

In East Sydney/Darlinghurst there is plenty of cheap food, you could get Thai or Vietnemese and feel full with $15. If you hang around in the Rocks, Circular Quay, or anywhere else where tourists are likely to be then obviously prices will be higher.

A good steak can be had for $20-22 at a pub

I'm fine with $20-$22 for a good steak. but I'm thinking about other bargains, besides restaurants.

Keep an eye on scoopon.com.au, spreets.com.au and the rest of the "daily deals" websites for each of the cities. e.g. whale watching tours are on sale today for $45b, heaps of restaurants and things to do.

I'm fine with $20-$22 for a good steak. but I'm thinking about other bargains, besides restaurants.

I'm not really a tour person myself, but if you're on a budget I'd suggest not taking a harbour cruise and instead catching the Manly ferry, or the ferry to Watsons Bay. You'll see the same harbour, without commentary, for 1/4 of the price. ozzie's suggestion of watching the coupon sites is also good.

Retail in Australia is expensive, so I don't think you'll be finding any real bargains AFA shopping goes. If you want something a bit different, there are often markets in various suburbs on the weekend. Paddington and Glebe are two of the bigger ones, and usually attract different crowds (Glebe is sort of what Paddington was 25 years ago, before gentrification was complete).

...As an example, we had a nice meal in a nice local "hole in the wall" Italian restaurant this evening, total price $16.75 for the two of us, tax included. Tip was an additional $3.35, making the total price $20.10 (or $10.05 per person) with tax and tip. My understanding is that the same meal at a comparable Italian restaurant in Australia would be close to $100 for two. ....Wow, you must go to a different Huntington Beach than I do! My experience is $100 is hard to do for a good meal in Huntington Beach ... but I'm not a local, so don't find the hole-in-the-wall places. For example last month I had dinner at Talia in Manhattan Beach (near LAX) and it was about $100 for food for 2, and about $300 total (for an admittedly nice meal, but Talia resembles a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant, which it was 25 years ago when I first ate there, and lunch cost $5). Overall food in Australia is more expensive but also higher quality. Perhaps most indicative are the fast-food chains, they run about 40% higher in Oz for the same menu. But there is some fabulous fresh fish at chinese restaurants in Sydney that is dirt cheap, and cheaper than similar quality would be anywhere in the US! Some value in having unpolluted fisheries. Oysters are $12 a dozen in markets and often $25 a dozen in restaurants, so that is a luxury food which is better quality than in the US and half the price.

Wow, you must go to a different Huntington Beach than I do! My experience is $100 is hard to do for a good meal in Huntington Beach.

I agree with this statement. We rarely spend more than about $40 for a good meal here. Recently, we spent $80 for the two of us at Agora (a local Brazilian BBQ), which we see as a splurge. But, we always bring wine from the cellar, and while we are not often charged corkage, it is about $15 when we are.

I will add to this topic that, in Sydney, we found the food court at the Westfield Mall on Kitt St. It has scaled down versions of many great Sydney Restaurants. Ultimately, the quality of the food is upscale, much more than you would expect in a food court. And the (restaurant quality) food is around $20 a person. We tried Ragu, Tai Din Fung, a Malaysian restaurant that has its (much more expensive) sister restaurant at Darling Harbour, Becerra and an upscale pie shop (don't think Pie Face, think about 10 times better). This is a veritable bargain in Sydney.

...... Overall food in Australia is more expensive but also higher quality. Perhaps most indicative are the fast-food chains, they run about 40% higher in Oz for the same menu. .....

I agree overall food in Oz is more expensive but also higher quality.

'I disagree that fast food chains are 40% more expensive in Oz. My experience in the US this time last year was that fast food in the US was at best the same price and usually more expensive, once tax was added. My example is based primarily on prices at McDonalds (only visited to use their WIFI or under duress - usually didn't eat there!) and Subway (best of a bad bunch when on the road!).

I will add to this topic that, in Sydney, we found the food court at the Westfield Mall on Kitt St. It has scaled down versions of many great Sydney Restaurants. Ultimately, the quality of the food is upscale, much more than you would expect in a food court. And the (restaurant quality) food is around $20 a person. We tried Ragu, Tai Din Fung, a Malaysian restaurant that has its (much more expensive) sister restaurant at Darling Harbour, Becerra and an upscale pie shop (don't think Pie Face, think about 10 times better). This is a veritable bargain in Sydney.

For the record, I think that should be Pitt St. Right in the centre of the Sydney CBD.

...'I disagree that fast food chains are 40% more expensive in Oz. My experience in the US this time last year was that fast food in the US was at best the same price and usually more expensive, once tax was added. My example is based primarily on prices at McDonalds (only visited to use their WIFI or under duress - usually didn't eat there!) and Subway (best of a bad bunch when on the road!).When I last noticed in Oz, the $5 Subway footlong (US price) was AUD 7; which is 40% more expensive. Has the price dropped in Oz? I eat at subway once a year, so I pay attention to the price only as a cost of living indicator. Fish and chips is generally better for $7, really no comparison on quality though sometimes hard to find in the CBD.

When I last noticed in Oz, the $5 Subway footlong (US price) was AUD 7; which is 40% more expensive. Has the price dropped in Oz? I eat at subway once a year, so I pay attention to the price only as a cost of living indicator. Fish and chips is generally better for $7, really no comparison on quality though sometimes hard to find in the CBD.

Subway certainly wasn't US$5 when I was there this time last year! Just checked my credit card statement and the three transactions I could find were US$7.19 (NYC), US$7.60 (Page) and US$9.01 (Prosser). All three were the same order - footlong wholemeal vegetarian with cheese (the third included a drink). At best the same price as Australia, but proably more expensive.

As an example for McDonalds, I paid US$3.54 in Monterey for a berry smoothie! Again, at best the same price as Australia, but probably more expensive.

When I last noticed in Oz, the $5 Subway footlong (US price) was AUD 7; which is 40% more expensive. Has the price dropped in Oz? I eat at subway once a year, so I pay attention to the price only as a cost of living indicator. Fish and chips is generally better for $7, really no comparison on quality though sometimes hard to find in the CBD.

I don't eat at Subway, but I doubt that prices would have dropped just because the exchange rate has improved. Might be the case for imported whitegoods and flat screen televisions, but not for fast food - I can't be sure, but I doubt that many of the ingredients would be imported from the US. I would be appalled if they were.


You'd be better looking for fish and chips, as you said, or for hamburgers (Aussie burgers are the best in the world) etc from small independent places rather than visiting the multi-national junk food chains.

As noted above, bar far the best value meals in Aus are in pubs. You don't need to get a drink.

As noted above, bar far the best value meals in Aus are in pubs. You don't need to get a drink.

And a better atmosphere than a food court.

A alternative to the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb at a fraction of the price, is the South East Pylon lookout on the Harbour Bridge. (That is the Pylon on the Opera House side of the bridge, city end)

Dfo Melbourne south wharf

Birkenhead point in sydney

The best shopping is harbour town about 45mins drive from Brisbane

And for cairns I wouldn't shop there at all no fashion no taste jump on a boat and head to great barrier reef

And for cairns I wouldn't shop there at all no fashion no taste jump on a boat and head to great barrier reef

lots of decent restaurants iirc.

Birkenhead point in sydney

I had a quick look at the men's section. There doesn't seem to be anything worth travelling out there for.

Shame Lego World isn't there anymore, I really like the big Vegemite jar made of Lego.

Subway certainly wasn't US$5 when I was there this time last year! Just checked my credit card statement and the three transactions I could find were US$7.19 (NYC), US$7.60 (Page) and US$9.01 (Prosser). All three were the same order - footlong wholemeal vegetarian with cheese (the third included a drink). At best the same price as Australia, but proably more expensive.

As an example for McDonalds, I paid US$3.54 in Monterey for a berry smoothie! Again, at best the same price as Australia, but probably more expensive.

I agree - Aus Subway is pretty expensive - Their prices are identical to what we have here in NZ

Dfo Melbourne south wharf

+1 & harbour town & Spencer St in MEL is great too - but def the DFO on South Wharf

I see there are McD's, Subway in SYD, MEL.. any other fast food chains??? my kids will prefer that for lunch anyway..

I'll have to find the pubs for other lunches as well.. I take it I can take kids in to eat while I polish a pint or so

Whats the best Price:Quality ratio Pub within walking distance of the Marriott CQ and the SOTP (I'll be at both)

I see there are McD's, Subway in SYD, MEL.. any other fast food chains??? my kids will prefer that for lunch anyway..

I'll have to find the pubs for other lunches as well.. I take it I can take kids in to eat while I polish a pint or so

Whats the best Price:Quality ratio Pub within walking distance of the Marriott CQ and the SOTP (I'll be at both)

There are lots of junk chains in Au - KFC, Pizza Hut etc. But please tempt them with food halls instead, kids love eating at those places and the food is a lot better than the rubbish you get in those awful chains.

There are a couple of Australian chains as well, I think Red Rooster and Oporto but I've never tried them. And of coure any Yum Cha place in Chinatown in Sydney.

Kids can usually go to pubs while you're eating as long as they are kept under your control. Most pubs in Sydney have poker machines and kids have to be kept away from the gambling areas. And most pubs now have an outdoor area for smokers - these are often quite pleasant despite their purpose, worth checking out if the weather is good. I'm a non-smoker but am often happy to be in the beer garden.

All the US chains are in Oz (except for mexican food), but some have different names ... e.g. Burger King is called Hungry Jack! Worth trying are Nando's and Oporto but be warned that even US chains serve spicier food in Oz than in the US.

All the US chains are in Oz (except for mexican food),

Thankfully there are quite a few that aren't - White Castle, Jack In The Box off the top of my head. Taco Bell died a few years ago, which can only be a good thing :)

I see there are McD's, Subway in SYD, MEL.. any other fast food chains??? my kids will prefer that for lunch anyway..

There's a fair few Portuguese style chicken places too. Ogalo's and Oporto's are the two big ones. The burgers there are way better than McD's/Hungry Jacks.

Does OZ have a "AAA" auto club that offers members discount offers? and could US drivers tap into the network?

Does OZ have a "AAA" auto club that offers members discount offers? and could US drivers tap into the network?

In New South Wales there is the NRMA, http://www.mynrma.com.au/ , don't know if they have an agreement with any US organisations but it's worth having a look. I think each State has a similar organisation, RACQ in Queensland, RACV in Victoria.

Some if not all of the Auto Clubs in Australia have the Show Your Card and Save Program. This entitles members to discounts in Australia and overseas.
I presume US drivers having membership in AAA could obtain discounts in Australia. This page may assist further.

http://www.sycs.com.au/

KFC is a must and red rooster. Look for vouchers on the counters at KFC they put them out there and you can find a better deal

Thanks for the "link" re AAA! The card looks like what we have for AAA. in CA/USA. Worth checking out the services when visiting DownUnder.

For our last visit to Sydney, I signed up for one of the local hotel chains (Rydges): free sign up and special membership prices. We did make a reservation through them for the World Square property. Close to Chinatown, convenient transportation options, many eateries, ATMS, and a basement grocerystore in the WS.

World Square is a convenient, location - not the most beautiful part of town but reasonably central to everything.

Might be an idea to try to avoid the nearby George Street cinema area on Friday and Saturday nights, there's the occasional drunken scuffle along there. Probably nothing really to worry about if you're sober and look as though you're minding your own business.

Yep, that's us , minding our own business. Very adverse to loud, unruly crowds.

re WS: we had a nice leisurely walk to the Natural Museum. Also a favorite Chinese chain restaurant, Din Tai Fung - xiao lung baos, dumplings was located on level 2 in the WS. yum.

Costco at Docklands has a beef hot dog and drink for $2.49. Can use a US or Canada Costco card with no problem.

Costco at Docklands has a beef hot dog and drink for $2.49. Can use a US or Canada Costco card with no problem.Every Bunnings store in Australia seems to have a (charity) sausage stand set up outside with $2 sausages ... so Costco isn't that cheap or special. And there is only 1 Costco in Australia (building a 2nd one somewhere over the horizon from Sydney, I think; the MEL one is nicely located, and next door to an ice skating rink too!).

Every Bunnings store in Australia seems to have a (charity) sausage stand set up outside with $2 sausages ... so Costco isn't that cheap or special. And there is only 1 Costco in Australia (building a 2nd one somewhere over the horizon from Sydney, I think; the MEL one is nicely located, and next door to an ice skating rink too!).

Costco in Sydney is at 21 Parramatta Rd Lidcombe/Auburn. I wouldn't send visitors to Australia to Costco though.

Costco at Docklands has a beef hot dog and drink for $2.49. Can use a US or Canada Costco card with no problem.

Umm..A hot dog at a cash and carry supermarket?

check out ozbargains.com.au for any deals going around