Vacations Down Under on a Budget

by Denise Gabbard

Sightseeing in Australia conjures up some popular and familiar sights: the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, surfers at Bondi Beach, and divers scouting the Great Barrier Reef. These are some of the most well known tourist attractions “Down Under” and you will definitely want to see them. Luckily, you do not need to be wealthy to have a great vacation in Australia.

You can inexpensively check out one of the greatest buildings in the world; it is completely FREE to wander from one side of the Opera House to the other, taking in the breathtaking views and snapping some photos. On the eastern side of the building, stop and have a drink in the Royal Botanical Gardens. You can also relax with a warm cup of tea or coffee on the bridge side of the building while taking in the boats sailing by. Of course, this may be one place to splurge, and you can often get tickets for a show in the Studio for $25 or less.

It is possible to climb to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, if you do not mind parting with around $200 per person. However, you can walk across the bridge from Milson’s Point to the Rocks area, or vice versa, taking your time and many photos, for no charge at all.

Take a Coastal Walk from the famous Bondi Beach to an area called Tamarama. On this walking trip, you will get breathtaking views of the ocean, and some of the most amazing sculptures that line the coastal areas. Athletic types will love the area called Homebush, which was the home of the 2000 Summer Olympics, and is now a favorite running and walking area.

Many of Australia’s national parks and other sights are free for residents and tourists alike. For instance, Hyde Park offers lots of walking trails lined with beautiful artwork, and is perfect for a picnic. The Sydney Botanical Gardens is also free; and is a wonderful place to see flowers and fruits native to Australia and take in the view of the entire Sydney Harbor all in the same place.

In Melbourne, be sure to see Queen Victoria’s Markets. Filled to overflowing with clothes, food, art, and music, they are colorful and fun places to shop and meet locals. Melbourne provides a free tram that offers hop on and hop off service to many of the city’s sights. You can take the tram to the Parliament House, the Old Treasury Building, or the Princess Theater. The driver also provides some knowledge of the buildings and areas as you pass. You can learn about the history and culture without wearing yourself out walking.

There are many wonderful things to see in Australia, many cities and cultures, and lots of beautiful countryside. You can see everything you want and not spend a lot of money; you can even tour the famous outback. Scenery around the country is gorgeous and a trip down under does not have to break the bank.

This guest post written by Denise Gabbard, who writes about a wide range of topics, among them travel, internet marketing, and Online selling , which is an easy and inexpensive way to get your goods to a wide audience. Online selling can quickly build your bank account and afford your family a good vacation.