Budget for the West Coast of Australia
The budget for the west coast is very different from the budget for the Australian east coast because there are fewer paid activities and the west coast is much wilder.
- Excursions to The Pinnacles,
You can take excursions from Perth for a little over a hundred Euros; if you go by car, the park entrance fee is per vehicle and will cost you about ten dollars, which is much more cost-effective if shared among several people. You will go there and stay for a maximum of 2 hours, as it is a quick visit; there is a museum and rocks planted in the middle of nowhere!
- See the dolphins at Monkey Mia
You have to pay 5 dollars (4 euros) to enter the reserve, and if you want to feed the dolphins, you will need to pay another 5 dollars (4 euros). The beach where the dolphins are is crowded, but if you have never seen a dolphin, this could be the opportunity.
- Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef,
Be aware that whale sharks only appear between March and June; it will cost you just under 350 euros for this unforgettable memory of swimming with the largest fish in the world. I did not do it due to budget constraints, but I regret it because it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
- Visit to Karijini National Park:
Camping costs 8 euros per night, and the entrance fee for the national park per vehicle is 10 euros. Karijini Park is located a few hundred kilometers from the town called Tom Price. This park is the most beautiful I have seen!
- Several-hour excursions on the coral reefs at Coral Bay: 40 euros
A boat will take you near the small coral reef for snorkeling; you will also need to rent your masks for 10 euros. It takes 20 minutes, and swimming is also possible, but I strongly discourage it even if you are a good swimmer.
- You will find several national parks on the west coast,
The French park Péron, or Kalbarri NP, and other parks; the price to enter with your vehicle is 10 euros. You can enjoy these parks for fishing, hiking, wild camping, etc. A fish I caught:
Transport from Perth to Darwin
Bus Ticket: you can take the pass from Perth to Darwin, but I highly recommend having your own vehicle because the Greyhound does not stop everywhere and there are not many buses. You should budget at least 500 euros for a Perth to Darwin trip.
There is also the possibility of carpooling or renting a van/4×4; you can have more freedom, and with several people, it will cost you the same or even less. It is better to rent a 4×4 on the west coast because there are many unpaved roads, and you will have more things to see, such as the Kimberleys. Count at least 100 euros per day for your vehicle with insurance included.
Regarding accommodation on the west coast of Australia
Expect 20-25 euros per night in a youth hostel. If you use caravan parks (camping), expect 10 euros per night.
Conclusion on the west coast of Australia:
What will cost you the most is transport and/or vehicle rental. Personally, I carpooled and camped wild, which allowed me to pay much less, and I think I saw more than if I had gone by bus.
The budget is not the same if you rent, carpool, or take the bus. It can vary from half to double.
Also find my article about my best places on the Australian west coast.
