If you’re thinking about travelling to Australia – stop scrolling and start packing 🧳
Because the UK pound is crushing the Aussie dollar right now, and that means one thing:
Australia just got a whole lot cheaper 💰
We’re talking better value on everything from burgers to beers, coffee to commutes. And when you add sunshine, beaches, and a working holiday wage into the mix? It’s a no-brainer.
Here’s why it’s time to swap London drizzle for Aussie coastal glow – and how your travel budget will go way further than you’d expect.
🇬🇧 The Exchange Rate Is Working For You
As of April 2025, 1 British pound gets you 2.09 Aussie dollars. That’s over double the value. So for every tenner you spend back home, you’d have over $20 to spend Down Under.
If you’re planning a working holiday or just wanting to travel, this exchange rate gives you more freedom, more flexibility, and way more flat whites. Download our FREE Working Holiday Checklist to get a head start on your Australia planning!
🍔 Big Mac Meal – Same Taste, Better Value
The Big Mac Index is a legit way economists compare the cost of living between countries – and right now, it’s saying “get yourself to Australia”.
As it stands:
-
UK: £5.89
-
Australia: $11.10 AUD = £5.31
Same bun. Same special sauce. But thanks to the strength of the pound, that Big Mac in Sydney or Melbourne is costing you less than back home. And let’s be real – it just hits different when you’re eating it outside in 27-degree sunshine instead of under a grey sky in zone 4.
Bonus points: Aussie Macca’s often serves extras we don’t get in the UK – think Loaded Fries or a Frozen Coke to wash it all down. Gourmet? Not quite. Iconic travel experience? Absolutely.
🍻 Pints – The Pricier Pint That Still Wins
We know, we know – Australia has a bit of a rep for expensive pints. And it’s not entirely undeserved. A schooner in Sydney or Melbourne can easily set you back $14 AUD – which on paper looks wild.
But here’s the kicker:
-
UK average pint: £5.08
-
Australia: $14.00 AUD = £6.70
So yes, it’s a little higher – but not much worse than what you’ll pay in a London pub these days (some craft beer spots are £7.50+ now!). And you’re sipping it somewhere actually sunny. Think rooftop bars with ocean views, barefoot beers at Bondi, or happy hour on the Great Ocean Road.
Oh, and if you’re travelling on a budget? Most backpacker bars have drink deals every night of the week – plus happy hours and 2-for-1 specials are the norm. Just don’t try to drink like you’re still at uni. Aussie beer’s strong, and so is the sun.
Saving up got your slightly worried? Say no more.
Download our FREE Savings Planner to help to figure out exactly how much you need to budget in the lead up to your trip!
☕️ Flat Whites – Coffee Culture Without the Cost
But unlike London, where good coffee often means good money, Australia’s offering world-class brews for less.
-
UK: £3.50 for a decent flat white
-
Australia: $5.50 AUD = £2.63
That’s right – you’ll get better coffee for nearly a full quid less. And you’re not getting it from a machine or a generic high street chain. You’re getting it from a sun-drenched café with locally roasted beans and someone who actually knows what a long black is.
Whether you’re starting your day in Byron Bay or doing laptop life in a Melbourne laneway café, it’s the same story: better beans, better views, better value.
🚋 Public Transport – Free Rides That Actually Go Somewhere
Londoners, brace yourselves – Melbourne has something we don’t: free trams in the entire city centre.
-
London Tube: £2.80–£5.60 per ride
-
Melbourne CBD Trams: $0 – completely free
This isn’t one of those “technically free but only on Sundays if it’s raining” things. It’s genuinely free. Every day. For locals and visitors.
So whether you’re heading to a job interview, a laneway brunch, or just cruising to the next hidden bar, you can do it without touching your wallet. Just jump on, grab a seat, and enjoy the city views while you ride.
For young travellers navigating a new place, this makes a huge difference. It’s safer, simpler, and saves serious cash over time – and that means more money for the important stuff, like koala selfies and beachside fish ‘n’ chips.
🧳️ The Bigger Picture – Why This Actually Matters
These price tags aren’t just quirky travel trivia. They’re proof that travelling to Australia is more financially accessible than most people think – especially with the current exchange rate.
And when you combine that with the fact that Australia:
💰 Offers working holiday wages (around $25+ AUD/hour)
🩺 Has free healthcare access for UK citizens (thanks to reciprocal agreements)
🏝️ And is packed with free or cheap experiences – from beaches to hikes to wildlife
…it’s easy to see why now is the time to go.
🎒 So What’s the Best Way to Start?
We’ll make it easy.
If you’re planning to travel solo, meet new mates, and hit the ground running in Australia, start with a Welcome Tour. These are 8-day group tours in either Melbourne or Sydney that sort everything for you:
✈️ Airport pickup
🏙️ City walking tour
🏦 Bank account, SIM, tax setup
🏠 Help with jobs and accommodation
🏄 Insane activities like surfing, wildlife spotting, and coastal adventures
🤙 A crew of legends who’ll become instant travel family
And once you’re settled in? Think about hitting the coast on our 30 Day East Coast Tour – 28 days of beaches, rainforests, reef, and road trips.
✅ TL;DR? This Is Your Green Light
Australia isn’t just calling – it’s offering better value than your Tesco meal deal and better weather than your hometown.
So whether you’re chasing sunshine, surf, or a new start – the exchange rate has never looked more in your favour.
👉 Explore Welcome to Sydney
👉 Explore Welcome to Melbourne
👉 Download our FREE Working Holiday Checklist
Let’s make memories – not overdrafts.
