Ten Ways to Halve Your Holiday Food Bill in Australia

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With the cost-of-living crisis cutting deep down under, as a traveller it can be particularly hard to balance the books in terms of your holiday food bill.

Dining out in this country is eye-wateringly expensive and even purchasing a small basket of groceries from the supermarket can leave you wondering where exactly the money went.

But don’t despair. It is possible to eat well in Oz and keep your budget in the black. Here are ten ways to save money on food while travelling in Australia.

1. Opt for self-catering accommodation

Preparing food yourself is, of course, one of the best ways to reduce cost the cost of dining while on holiday. However, it’s impossible to do without some basic cooking facilities at the very least. So, where possible, opt for accommodation options that allow you to self-cater. Serviced apartments and Airbnbs are ideal as they generally come with a fully equipped kitchen, and hostels often offer the use of a shared meal prep area. Even if you’re camping, many Australian caravan and holiday parks offer the use of a camp kitchen. Just remember to pay it forward and clean up after yourself.

2. Be an informed supermarket shopper

So, you have a kitchen to cook in; now you need ingredients. And therefore, it pays to know your way around Australia’s grocery landscape. It’s dominated by two key players — Woolworths and Coles — and there’s really very little to choose from between them with regard to price and range. IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia) supermarkets are smaller, often positioned based on convenience, and generally pricier. German-based grocery retailer Aldi has been making trouble for the big boys and now holds just under 10% of the country’s supermarket sales. It’s generally seen as cheaper than Coles and Woolworths but doesn’t offer the range of brands that Australian shoppers are used to.

Fresh food markets like the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne and Adelaide’s Central Market are a cost-effective option for purchasing fruit and vegetables, cheese, and small goods. Buy only what you need in order to minimise waste.

3. Have a long lunch rather than an expensive dinner

Everyone likes to splash out on a meal at a good restaurant while on holiday, but you can save money by being choosey about when you do it. It’s nearly always cheaper to eat at an upscale eatery at lunchtime rather than dinner. Research the restaurants you’d ideally like to try, then check whether they offer set lunch menus or specials. You can enjoy the ambience and quality, without having to pay full price for the privilege.

4. Avoid tourist precincts

When arriving at a destination for the first time it’s very easy to fall into the trap of eating in a tourist precinct restaurant. Hotels tend to be clustered nearby, you’re hungry, and it’s convenient — but it’s unlikely to be good, either in quality or price. The key to avoiding these culinary Venus flytraps is planning; plan where you are going to eat before you arrive. If you have no choice but to eat in a touristy haunt, look for restaurants that present their menu on a blackboard rather than as photos in a flipbook. The menu is probably seasonal, somewhat fresher, and slightly more innovative.

5. Blow the hotel buffet breakfast

Hotel hot buffet breakfasts are a nice treat every now and then, but they’re generally expensive, usually a little on the cold side, and won’t do you a whole lot of good — especially if you’re trying to avoid those excess holiday kilos. If you must eat breakfast at your hotel, limit yourself to the cheaper continental option (it’s usually half the price) and fuel up for the day on cereal, toast, and fruit. You’ll feel all the better for it and have energy to burn. Better still, find a great local cafe and order something light and freshly prepared.

6. Go BYO

Ordering alcohol in any Australian restaurant will double your bill — period. If you’re serious about saving money, choose to eat in restaurants that allow you to BYO (bring your own). You’ll likely have to pay a corkage fee, but the saving will still be significant. Purchase a nice bottle of wine at a local bottle shop en route.

7. Look for meal deals

Australia’s dining scene is relatively competitive and one of the tools that many eateries use to attract customers are dining deals: two-for-ones, kids-eat-free, mid-week-specials etc. You’ll also find plenty of money-saving offers on websites like Groupon and Eat Club. Before shelling out on a deal, read reviews about the eatery in question and check the fine print for booking restrictions.

8. Find your way to Chinatown

Chinatown: most Australian capital cities have one and they’re the spot for tasty and well-priced Asian-style tucker. Follow your nose and the crowds to find the best venues.

9. Ask a local

When it comes to finding good value places to eat, there’s no substitute for a local’s perspective — so ask! Whenever you strike up a conversation with someone who lives in the city or town you’re visiting, ask them for a dining recommendation. Who knows, they may even invite you round for dinner!

Guided food tours are another tried and tested way to gather culinary intel. Not only will you graze on a variety of flavoursome eats along the way, but you’ll likely pick up lots of tips from your local guide for bars and eateries to return to during the rest of your stay.

10. Get a job in hospitality

And finally, temporary hospitality work in Australia is a great way to finance your travels — and possibly save on your holiday food bill at the same time! Depending on the conditions of your employment and the hours you work, you may be entitled to a staff meal during your shift or a generous discount on food purchases. And with many restaurants and cafes struggling to attract and retain reliable staff in the post-COVID world, this may even be something you can negotiate on up front.

This post was published thanks to Sidekicker.

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Do you have any tips for ways to save on food while travelling in Australia? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Additional images: Bigstock