Some people fall under the eat to measure category, but I’m 100% the live to eat type. My biggest expense in Australia is certainly food. I really like to eat and what’s more, I actually like to dine out. the sole problem is that it’s not the most cost-effective hobby to possess and therefore the dollars can soon hop on. Which is why I ended up digging deep to seek out ways to dine out for reasonable in Australia.
And boy did I find some gems!
From fresh seafood at the coast to Pizza in little Italy, noodles in Chinatown to gourmet sandwiches and Turkish Gozleme, Australia is hugely multicultural and it’s awesome! It’s also great at supporting independent restaurants, not just the large chain names. And I’m always one for supporting small businesses but let’s be honest, ‘artisan’ can often mean expensive.
But fear not my fellow backpacker, budget traveller, food-loving friends! I’ve found a bunch of the way to assist you to eat for reasonable in Australia so you’ll still enjoy the culinary goodness this country plates up. Here are 8 ways you’ll dine out for reasonable in Australia and prevent money whilst backpacking.
Some general recommendations on cheap ways to travel to Australia
Travel outside high season
Australia has 2 peak times of year – the primary is around Christmas and New Year until the top of January as this is often when all the faculties have summer holidays, and therefore the second is roughly June-August as this is often winter and much of individuals head North to urge some sun. These times of year are really busy and in fact, prices for things like accommodation get bumped up too. If you’re on a budget, I might recommend avoiding these times if possible.
Stay in cheap accommodation
When you start trying to find accommodation in Australia, you’ll soon see that hotels are pretty damn pricey. So rather than hotels, have a glance at AirBnB and hostels for cheaper accommodation, or maybe Couchsurfing and housesitting to seek out free places to remain.
Join free walking tours
In nearly every city in Australia (and the world) you’ll continue free walking tours and that they are an awesome thanks to getting to understand an area. The tours are travel by locals or people that have moved there and have a true passion for the place. I’ve always learnt loads from them and having an area to speak to maybe a good way to seek out our hidden gems. they typically run every single day, regardless of what the weather and you don’t usually get to book beforehand. The tours run on a tipping system, so if you liked the tour you’ll tip the guide what you would like. I tend to tip somewhere between $10-$20 which I feel may be a bargain thanks to getting to understand a city.
Hit the beaches
Australia’s coastline is teeming with a number of the foremost beautiful beaches within the world and that they are an excellent thanks to having a free day out! Whether you wish to relax within the sun, swimming or snorkel, each day at the beach is usually free. numerous beaches around Australia even have free public BBQs so you’ll even cook lunch while you’re there.
Take advantage of free entertainment and attractions
One thing that Australia is great for is putting on free events. In every city, there always seems to be something going so make certain to travel on the tourism website to seek out upcoming events. also like this, there also are tons of museums with a free entry which are great for rainy days. I’ve also put together an inventory of awesome free and cheap things to try to to in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Top apps to assist you to eat for reasonable in Australia
Liven
What is it?
This app is definitely one among my top apps for travelling around Australia. I found this app from a symbol outside a burger restaurant that advertised a free burger if you downloaded and used it. I knew I used to be on to a winner from the start!
Liven maybe a dining rewards app where you earn Liven credit (LVN Coin) once you erode their associated restaurants and pay through the app. Each restaurant has different rewards starting from around 5%-20% and therefore the discount then goes into your Liven account as LVN Coin. this will then be used towards your next meal out.
How to get the foremost out of the Liven app
Liven has an awesome sign-up incentive with a variety of restaurants offering your first meal for free of charge – awesome right! There really is not any loophole with this so enjoy being a part of something that’s actually nearly as good because it seems!
Liven often sends out restaurants deals offering high rewards for a selected period of your time (usually for less than that day) and for holidays like Christmas, they did 12 days of Snaxmas where that they had a deal each day on at a special restaurant.
How to use the Liven app
On the app you’ll see a map of all the restaurants that accept Liven and what rewards they’re offering. If you’re trying to find a specific cuisine then you’ll filter by that too. The app also shows nearby restaurants also because the trending restaurants to urge some inspiration.
You need to feature your credit card to the App and once you attend pay, you merely open the app, find the restaurant you’re at, hit ‘pay now’ or turn on the ‘use LVN Coin’ button and tell the cashier the code that pops up. You’ll immediately be ready to see what proportion you’ve spent and the way much you’ve earned in LVN Coins, ready for next time.
EatClub
What is it?
EatClub is another awesome app that shows restaurants that have spare tables available who have eleventh-hour deals happening. Restaurants don’t want to possess empty tables and you and that I don’t want to pay full price. Last minutes deals can offer you up to a whopping 50% off – what a bargain! you’ve got to be quick though because the deals don’t last long and are limited.
How to get the foremost out of the EatClub app
Getting the deals are mostly about being within the right place at the proper time so you would like to be keeping an eye fixed on the live deals throughout the day. because the deals are the eleventh hour they often even have a timer on them before they expire.
However, some restaurants offer all day and deduct deals so there isn’t always a mad rush to urge the bargains. you’ll also find restaurants that provide a pre-book option where the stated deal is going to be available between specified times. Flexibility is that the key here but it’s an excellent thanks to finding and check out a lot of new restaurants!
At the instant, they don’t have a referral incentive but it’s coming soon, so stay tuned for a few more deals!
How to use the EatClub App
As with the Liven app, EatClub features a map displayed once you open it supported your location and can show restaurants nearby. you’ll toggle the ‘live deals’ turn on and off to seek out deals that are happening immediately, otherwise, you can leave it off and it’ll show all the restaurants EatClub vouchers are often spent at. you’ll also filter by cuisine and by discount which is super handy.
As well because the map tab, the app also has the choice to look by distance from your location and by the simplest deals within 2km of your location. this is often great if you’re trying to find somewhere to eat directly as you’ll get there pretty quickly.
When you find a restaurant you would like to travel to, make certain to see how long the deal has left thereon by the timer then just tap on ‘redeem voucher’, fill in your details and show the voucher once you get to the restaurant. If you go somewhere and you actually just like the restaurant, you’ll subscribe it on the EatClub App so you’ll quickly check back and see if they need any new deals live.