Australia is such a big country with so much to see and do! It can often feel overwhelming trying to plan your trip Down Under. Luckily, we can now rely on travel apps to help us along the way!
In this article I summarise the best 12 apps that saved me whilst travelling around Australia for over 2 years! Learn how to stay safe, see the best sites, save money and meet friends!
Table of Contents
Apps To Keep You Safe
Emergency Plus
The emergency number in Australia is 000 and you should always ring it in an emergency.
But, what if you have no idea where you are? What do you tell the operator?
A large percentage of Australia is very remote and at times you can be the only person around for hundreds of miles.
The Emergency Plus App works off GPS location and can tell you exactly where you are. The app shows latitude, longitude, an address (if you are close to one), and What3words.
If you’re planning on heading into the Outback, then this app is essential for traveling around Australia.
I Always have this app downloaded on my phone, even when I’m not traveling. You just never know when you might need to use it!
Beachsafe
Beaches in Australia are unreal, especially in Western Australia, and when you’re traveling you probably visit more than a few!
It’s really important to be aware of beach safety in Australia and the Beachsafe app is your holy grail of information.
The App offers regularly updated information on patrol status, facilities, weather, hazards, swell, and tides.
Beachsafe is an official app created and promoted by the Surf Live Saving Australia Association.
Apps For Finding Somewhere To Stay
WikiCamps
I could not live without this app when I was traveling around Australia.
WikiCamps is perfect for finding those secret little camp spots and free campsites! I stumbled across so many beautiful free camp spots in South Australia using this app, which saved me a lot of money.
You can view campsites across the whole of Australia on a map. Each camping spot has information and reviews from other users.
You can also filter your searches, in case you need toilets, dump points, etc.
WikiCamps is a one-time payment of $7.99 AUD and it is completely worth it if you’re planning on camping in Australia.
Hostelworld
Hostelworld is the best for finding budget-friendly accommodation in hostels.
You can search for places to stay, read reviews, and book your stay through the app.
I’ve used Hostelworld all over Australia and it has never let me down!
It is one of the best apps for traveling around Australia!
Apps For Adventure
AllTrails
This is the ultimate app for outdoor enthusiasts! I couldn’t put it down whilst I was exploring New South Wales on road trips!
It’s fantastic for discovering and exploring hiking, running, and biking trails.
You can find trails near your area, see trails on a map of Australia, check out reviews and photos from other hikers, and even record your adventures.
It’s really good for judging how long a trail will take you, as you can see how long it took others.
Apps For Saving Money
Fuel Map Australia
Don’t waste your money by filling up in expensive fuel stations! Plan your trip accordingly by using Fuel Map Australia to find cheaper fuel!
There is no way I could have stayed on the road for 2 years without saving money on fuel!
You can view all fuel stations across a map of Australia and filter what type of fuel you need.
It’s the perfect app for traveling around Australia in a car!
I remember using the app a lot whilst road tripping around Tasmania for 10 days and it was so handy!
The Happiest Hour
The Happiest Hour app is a secret weapon for finding the best deals on food and drinks!
It’s perfect for travelers who want to eat out and grab some drinks but don’t want to splash all their money.
This was great when I was travelling around Western Australia, as I found eating out so expensive!
In the app, you can discover happy hours, special discounts, and events at nearby bars and restaurants.
Apps For Organising Money
Splitwise
It can be stressful sharing expenses with friends on a trip. Trying to split the bills and remember IOUs, there has to be an easier way.
Introducing the Splitwise App!
Splitwise is a lifesaver when traveling with friends around Australia!
You can create a travel group and add members to it. From there, you can easily split bills and track who owes what. At the end of the trip, you can ‘settle up’ and everyone is reminded what they owe.
I found this app great, as nobody ended up paying more than they needed to!
I sometime can’t believe this app is free because it is so useful!
Find out what I thought of Splitwise in this Washington Post article I featured in!
Wise
TransferWise makes transferring international money easy!
With Wise, you can avoid hefty bank fees and exchange rates.
I used to find transferring money into other currencies stressful but Wise is super user-friendly and transparent.
It shows you the real exchange rate and fees upfront.
Wise makes transferring money into another currency easy and it can save you a lot of money.
Apps for Booking Flights
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is like having a travel agent in your pocket!
It’s a comparison app that finds the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals.
I have used it to travel the world and for domestic flights in Australia.
You can search for flights, compare prices, and set up price alerts to get the best deals.
Apps For Packing
PackPoint (Android & IOS)
PackPoint is a great for keeping organised while packing.
The app helps you create a packing list based on your destination, the weather forecast, the duration of your trip, and the activities you have planned.
You can add or alter the packing list as much as you like!
I love how easy this app is to use! It often suggests packing things that I never thought of!
Apps For Finding Travel Buddies
Travello
Travello is like Facebook for travellers!
It’s a fantastic app for connecting with fellow adventurers and an awesome app for travelling around Australia.
You can find and join activities and meet people from all over the world.
I found it great when traveling up the East Coast of Australia. Instead of renting a car for a day, I was able to connect with people on Travello and jump in their car instead!
If you want to make life easy then make sure you get apps for travelling around Australia.
