What a decent room actually costs city by city, when booking hotels yourself beats a package, and the two places where prices are far higher than anyone expects.
Most people reading this site are looking at escorted tours and multi-centre packages, where the hotels are already in the price. This page is for everyone else — and there are more of you than you'd think.
You need to book your own accommodation if you're taking one of the private tours with your own driver, which are land-only and let you choose your own hotels. You'll also want it if you're adding a few nights either side of an organised trip, or building the whole thing independently.
Australia is not a cheap country, but hotel prices are more reasonable than the flights suggest. Broad indicative ranges for a clean, central, en-suite double room:
| Where | Budget (per night) | Mid-range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | £85–£130 | £150–£230 | The priciest city. Stay in Surry Hills or Potts Point rather than the CBD |
| Melbourne | £70–£115 | £130–£200 | Best value of the big cities; excellent trams make outer suburbs viable |
| Brisbane | £65–£105 | £120–£180 | Consistently the cheapest mainland capital |
| Cairns | £55–£95 | £110–£170 | Very competitive — lots of supply, strong low-season discounts |
| Perth | £70–£120 | £130–£200 | Fremantle is often better value than the city and nicer to stay in |
| Uluru (Yulara) | £180+ | £250–£450 | One resort town, fixed supply. Budget options barely exist |
| Hamilton Island | £190+ | £300+ | Captive market — food and drink are expensive too |
Indicative only, based on typical shoulder-season rates for two people. Prices move constantly — always check live availability.
Uluru. There is exactly one place to stay: Yulara, the resort town 20km from the rock, which has a handful of properties and no competition. Prices reflect that, and there is no budget workaround short of the campground. If Uluru matters to you, this is a strong argument for taking a tour that includes it — the operators hold room allocations at rates you cannot get independently.
Island resorts. Hamilton Island and similar Whitsundays properties are captive markets. Rooms, meals and drinks are all priced accordingly. Again, packages that include them — like the Singapore and Queensland itinerary — usually work out considerably cheaper than booking direct.
Search live prices
Live availability and prices across every city on this page.
Our shortlist
Grouped by what they cost, because this shortlist runs from a three-star motel in the outback to one of the best hotels in Sydney. Star ratings and guest scores are Expedia's own, read from the live listings; prices move constantly, so each button goes straight to current availability.
Three-star and four-star properties that score well — the ones we'd actually book on a budget.
Outback South Australia · Coober Pedy
The opal-mining town where most of the population lives underground to escape the heat. Scores 9.2 from 335 reviews, which is remarkable for a three-and-a-half-star motel — and it's a genuinely memorable overnight stop.
Young Street, Albury NSW · Albury
The best-reviewed of the two Albury options here — 9.2 from more than 1,500 reviews. Again, a driving stopover rather than a destination.
Lavington, NSW · Albury
A well-rated stopover on the Hume Highway between Melbourne and Sydney. Only relevant if you're driving that route — it isn't a destination in itself.
Portland, Victoria · Portland
Portland sits at the western end of the Great Ocean Road, past the Twelve Apostles — a sensible overnight if you're driving the full coast rather than doing it as a day trip from Melbourne.
Whyalla, South Australia · Whyalla
Few reviews so far — treat the score with caution.
A modest three-star on the Spencer Gulf. Whyalla is an industrial port town — worth knowing before you book, though it's the jumping-off point for swimming with giant cuttlefish between May and August.
Therry Street, CBD · Melbourne
Exactly what you want from a budget city base: reliable, central, a short walk from Queen Victoria Market and the free tram zone. Apartment options help on longer stays.
More comfort without island or five-star pricing.
Cannonvale, Whitsundays · Airlie Beach
Strong scores and a much gentler price than staying on Hamilton Island itself, while still putting you in reach of the Whitsundays reef and Whitehaven Beach day trips.
Five-star and premium properties. Included because they're excellent, not because they're cheap.
Loftus Street, CBD · Sydney
A heritage sandstone landmark by Circular Quay and one of the highest-rated hotels in the country at 9.8. Emphatically not a budget option — this is a special-occasion stay.
Hamilton Island · Whitsundays
Few reviews so far — treat the score with caution.
A newer boutique property scoring 9.8, though from only 31 reviews so far. Island pricing applies — see our note on captive markets below.
Riverbank, city centre · Adelaide
A genuine five-star on the Torrens riverbank, two minutes from the casino and eight from Rundle Mall. Exceptional guest scores and a top-rated breakfast, with a pool and full spa.
Hastings Street, Noosa Heads · Sunshine Coast
Few reviews so far — treat the score with caution.
Apartment-style on Noosa's Hastings Street — about as good an address as the Sunshine Coast offers, right by the main beach. Very few reviews so far, so treat the score cautiously.
Surfers Paradise · Gold Coast
Big-brand resort in the middle of Surfers Paradise with a saltwater lagoon pool. Consistently strong scores across a thousand reviews, which is a reliable sample.
Yulara, Northern Territory · Uluru
One of the handful of properties inside the Ayers Rock Resort at Yulara — the only place to stay near Uluru. Prices reflect that monopoly, but the location is unbeatable for sunrise.
Questions
Usually not, if you're taking a flight-inclusive tour — operators buy rooms in bulk and the package price is hard to beat. Booking separately makes sense in three situations: you're on a land-only private tour, you're adding nights either side of an organised trip, or you're building the whole trip yourself and want control over where you stay.
For Australian cities, two to three months out is usually the sweet spot. For anywhere remote — Uluru especially — book as early as you possibly can, because supply is genuinely fixed and it does sell out. Always pick a free-cancellation rate if the difference is small; it costs a few pounds and buys you the option to rebook if prices fall.
Roughly what it means in the UK: clean, en-suite, no frills, often no restaurant. Australian budget hotels tend to be newer and better equipped than European equivalents at the same star rating, and many include a kettle, fridge and decent wifi as standard. Apartment-style rooms with a kitchenette are common and worth seeking out on longer stays.
Generally yes — Australian pricing includes GST, so the rate you see is broadly the rate you pay. Watch for card surcharges and, in resort areas, occasional resort fees. There's no tipping expectation, which is one less cost than in the US.
On most Australian itineraries, tour operators beat what you can book yourself — especially at Uluru and on the islands. Worth comparing before you commit.
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