Finding accommodation in Australia

Chapter 2 of 6

Options for all budgets

There are quite a few options for your first few days in Australia:

• Hotels: a pricier option, especially considering you will have to eat out if you don’t have access to a kitchen.
• Rooms or apartments for rent through online marketplaces like Airbnb: this is a smart choice for couples or groups especially, who are likely to spend less than they would on a private room in a hostel. Book early for better choice. Booking a longer stay often leads to greater discounts.
• Hostels: reasonably priced, often plenty of choice for good locations, they are the a place to meet other backpackers, and you can make your money go further than staying in expensive hotels.
• Couchsurfing: a free option, if you can find a host willing to let you sleep on the couch or in a spare bedroom. Read Couchsurfing abroad for more info.

Should I rent a room or an apartment before arriving?

If you’re planning to settle down in a city for a few months, it can be tempting to look for a place online and pay for it before arriving in Australia, to avoid spending a few nights in temporary accommodation. However, you might want to reconsider doing this for the following two reasons.

First, it’s hard to pick a place based on an online ad. Sure, the room looks nice in photos, but the neighbourhood may not match your needs or the building may feel dodgy. Besides, there’s no guarantee the place looks like the picture you saw online—they may have been taken years ago, with the most flattering angle and on a sunny day. You may end up in a run-down apartment when there were cheaper and better options around.

Second, you could be falling into the trap of an apartment rental scam. Once the deposit money is sent and various fees paid, you might never hear from the landlord or your future roommates ever again—the place may not even exist and the ad was made up out of fake images and contact details.

It’s always best to visit your future home before renting it—and don’t forget to take a walk through the neighbourhood to see if you like the vibe as well. Yes, you’ll have to pay for temporary accommodation if you wait until arriving in Australia to search for longer-term solutions… But at least you’ll know the place you end up signing a lease for is legitimate!

Is it a good idea to sign up for a WWOOF, HelpX, Workaway or Couchsurfing experience when I arrive?

It’s up to you and your individual comfort levels, but it’s worth considering as a way of both saving money and experiencing more of the country on your WHV.

If you sign up as a volunteer working for your bed and board, keep in mind that regardless of how tired and jet-lagged you are, you’ll be expected to contribute. You may not be at your best for physical labour, especially on a farm. Perhaps you want to book a week or two in temporary accommodation while you recover from jet lag before volunteering anywhere.

Couchsurfing also requires some human interaction, plus a couch in a busy living room isn’t the best place for a good night’s sleep after a long flight. We recommend you have a Plan B just in case your volunteering or couchsurfing doesn’t work for whatever reason. Research nearby hostels and budget accordingly.