Here we have holiday ideas and things to do and treats to eat that won't cost a cent. That's right — it's all FREE!
Camping:
- New South Wales
There are over 50 free campsites within National Parks in New South Wales. For information, call 1300 361 967 or www.npws.nsw.gov.au/parks/camping to check on facilities and any restrictions.
- Queensland
Queensland offers around 43 campsites which allow free camping for up to 48 hours. For a brochure which outlines roadside spots, contact the Department of Main Roads on (07) 3883 8711 or if you are in Queensland, go to a Queensland Transport Customer Service Centre. They are online at www.mainroads.qld.gov.au
- Victoria
For information on free National Park campsites, contact Parks Victoria Information centre by calling 13 19 63 or www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
- Western Australia
For brochures on free camping in National Parks and State Forests, call the Department of Conservation and Land Management on (08) 9334 0333. For roadside camping spots, contact Main Roads Western Australia for a brochure. Phone (08) 9323 4638 or visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au
- Tasmania
Generally all campsites in Tasmania's state forests are free. For information, contact Forestry Tasmania on (03) 6233 8203.
Public Transport:
- Melbourne City Circle Tram
Between 10am and 6pm every 10 minutes, the free historic W Class trams travel around the rim of Melbourne taking in Flinders, Spring, Latrobe and Spencer Streets. Call 13 16 38 for information.
- Brisbane
The Downtown Loop is a new inner-city bus service which loops around the CBD every 10 minutes on weekdays from 7am to 6pm. For information, call Brisbane City Council on (07) 3403 8888 or visit www.transinfo.qld.gov.au
- Adelaide
Adelaide has two free buses. The City Loop (the 99C) takes you on a loop around the City and the Bee Line (99B) takes you through the centre of the city. Both operate every day of the week. Call 1800 182 160 within Adelaide or from outside call 08 8210 1000. You can also receive information on www.adelaidemetro.com.au
- Perth
There are two Central Area Transit buses in Perth. Red CAT turns east and west and Blue CAT operates north and south. They run every day. Perth also has a Free Transit Zone (FTZ) where you can travel free of charge on any bus or train which start and finish within the CBD. Call Transperth Information Line on 13 62 13 or visit www.transperth.wa.gov.au
Global Freeloaders:
This website puts you in touch with people all over the world who are willing to accommodate travellers for free. You just sign up, find people in the city you’re travelling to and make contact with them.
www.globalfreeloaders.com
Drive'n'drop:
Following the popular American trend, you can get from A to B taking someone else's car, who for whatever reason won't be doing it themselves. There are conditions of course and to find out more you need to log on to their website
www.drivendrop.com.au or phone (02) 9365 3117, or mobile: 0402 425 369.
Fuelwatch:
Now you've got your free car, you can search for the cheapest petrol in most capital cities. Check out
fuelwatch.com.au and click on the city you require or the postcode.
Carpark:
Another terrific website is
www.carpark.com.au. This one finds the cheapest parking for you. Type in your destination and it comes up with a list of parking locations and prices.
Club/Pub/Bar Food:
- Perth
The Hip-E Club in Leederville operates a free bus which collects people from hostels each Tuesday for Backpacker Night which runs from 8-10pm. They offer free entry and free food. It has been running for nine years and gets bigger and better. Phone (08) 9227 8899.
La Bog Inn in Northbridge and Fremantle has free food for backpackers, students, industry people and pretty much anyone who wants to turn up. They have chicken nights, sausage nights, games and prizes. Phone (08) 9228 9899 in Northbridge and (08) 9228 3773 in Fremantle.
- Sydney
The World Bar in Bayswater Road, Kings Cross serves free sausages on Fridays from 6-8pm. Phone (02) 9357 7700.
- Melbourne
Manhattan Hotel in Ringwood has a sausage barbecue each Friday at 5.30pm. Phone (03) 9874 7777.
- Hobart
Every night between 5.30-6.30pm the Brooke Street Hotel in Hobart hands out free finger food. Phone (03) 6234 6254.
Free Hare Krishna Food:
Hare Krishna temples have free vegetarian meals each Sunday. To find out where they are, log onto
www.iskcon.com.au
Chocolates, Nuts And Golden Circle:
Victoria's Thirst Quenchers:
One-and-a-quarter hour's drive north of Melbourne is Hepburn Springs, home of a mineral springs reserve. Over 60 springs flow 24 hours a day, seven days a week and anyone can stop and fill up as often as they like.
Tasmania's Distillery:
Right at Hobart's famous Constitution Dock is the Lark Distillery. They use copper stills in their liquor making process, with flavours such as cherry max, mountain pepper berry bush liqueur. Visitors are welcome to taste these unusual liqueurs free of charge.
Their biggest success is their single malt whisky which is on a par with Scotland's finest. A decent nip of it is $3. Call them on 03 6231 9088 or log on to
www.larkdistillery.com.au.
