Ace Rental Cars Blog

Once you’ve collected your Ace rental car - whether it be from Perth airport, Hobart city, or any of the other 11 pick-up locations across Australia - you’re ready for a road trip adventure. Before you start the engine, have a quick look at our tips and tricks to make road tripping on a budget an experience you’ll remember long after your travels are over.

Make the Most of Camping Spots

The easiest way to spend money on a road trip is to splash it on accommodation. However, that also means that the easiest way to save some dollars is by taking advantage of the cheap - and sometimes even free - camping spots on offer across Australia. If waking up to a picture-perfect landscape of rolling hills, lush bush or calming waves sounds good to you, then camping is the perfect alternative for cost-effective accommodation. The best thing about camping in Australia is that the scenery varies so widely from region to region. You might be falling asleep under the stars in Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria, going to bed atop the red dust of Alice Springs in Central Australia, or waking up to the sparkling turquoise Indian Ocean near Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef.

Across the country, you’ll find three different kinds of camping. The most expensive - although still reasonably cheap - is staying at a caravan or holiday park. The middle of the range is making use of Australia’s scenic national or state parks. Then there is also free camping, which is commonly not as accessible or as scenic, although of course is completely free. If you’re all about getting out in nature, camping at a national park is the perfect option for you.

The Best Views are Free

Whoever said that the best things in life are free had definitely road tripped in Australia. While there are plenty of options to splash your cash on thrilling activities - like scenic flights over Central Australia’s Uluru or chartered boats off New South Wales’ Jervis Bay - the beauty of the environment can be entirely yours without having to pay a cent. Plus, by getting amongst the scenery on foot and exploring Australia’s natural playgrounds on the ground, you’ll really be able to discover all the hidden details of Australia’s natural beauty. The best activities that you can participate in - no matter where you find yourself in Australia - are going to be hiking, swimming, and driving. This is why road tripping is the ultimate budget-saver adventure, as just being in the car and traversing the epic scenery between stops is a world-class activity in and of itself.

Depending on where you’re road tripping around, you’ll probably find that you’re not too far from a sensational swimming spot. Even deep in the bush - like in New South Wales’ Blue Mountains - or out in the outback - like in Northern Territory’s Kakadu Park - swimming holes and waterfalls are plentiful. Australia’s coast is also brimming with bucketloads of beautiful swimming spots up and down its beaches, so make sure to check out the best spots for taking a dip if you’re visiting in warmer weather.

Another epic activity that you won’t have to pay for - and is perfect all-year round - is stretching your legs out on a hike. From trails that experienced hikers will love - like the ones found on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island - to scenic walks that are suited to beginners - like the coastal route along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, it doesn’t cost a dollar to immerse yourself in these picturesque landscapes.

Save Cash on Food, Splash on Experience

Besides accommodation, another common way for money to disappear faster than you may expect is spending it on food. To really save some cash on your ultimate road trip, our top tip is to swap out restaurant meals for homemade ones. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have access to a kitchen or the right appliances to cook up a storm, though. All across Australia, you’ll find a variety of supermarkets where you can buy a vast assortment of pre-made meals and road-worthy snacks, all of which are much cheaper than indulging in a restaurant meal three times a day. Every dollar you save on food means more to be splashed on your road tripping adventures.

No matter where you’re travelling around Australia, road tripping is the perfect way to make the most of the country without breaking the bank. Follow this ultimate budget road tripping guide in your Ace rental car to really make the most of a cost-saving adventure around Australia’s beautiful regions.