Travelling in Australia is something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime, whether you are a broke backpacker, buying a beat-up car to road trip the coast, or are luxuriously flying between destinations by helicopter. It’s a stunning country with some of the most diverse landscapes on Earth, and its worth seeing no matter how you want to do it.
Personally, I have traveled Australia as both a backpacker and a mid-budget professional (still working on the luxury travel – maybe next time 😉 ) Either way, it’s best to be prepared when traveling to a new place, whether it’s the Sydney Opera House or Kakadu National Park. Each country has different resources and ways to make life and travel easier – and Aus is no exception.
The one thing that everyone owns that can make life easier on the road is a phone… and the apps and web apps that can be installed and used on it. So take it from me, someone who has lived and traveled in Australia for nearly 3 years – these are some of the best apps for travelling Australia that will make your life easier and more fun in many ways!
Entertainment Apps for Traveling Australia
As any traveler knows, travel has its highs and lows, and every possible kind of moment between business, chaos, and boredom. One minute you’re staring at the Twelve Apostles feeling alive… and the next, you’re stuck in an airport with four hours to kill. I keep a few go-to apps and downloads on my phone – playlists, podcasts, a couple shows and games – so there’s always something easy to tap when the wait drags on.
If you are traveling in more places than Australia, check out my favorite apps and tools for travel in general, too!
Streaming Services
Having a subscription to at least one streaming service is an absolute must when traveling, especially in places like Australia that tend to include long bus/car rides or flights.
Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime are classic apps that everyone should have for travelling, and there are also some Australia-specific streaming platforms like Foxtel Now, Stan, and Binge. Before you travel, it’s a good idea to go through a couple streaming platforms and download the shows and films you like… that way, you can watch them on the plan or in remote areas without wifi (which is actually more common than you’d think)!
VPN App
A VPN is handy for travel days. It adds a layer of security on public Wi-Fi and, by masking your IP, can make it look like you’re browsing from somewhere else in the world. This means you can often access shows and films that are geo-blocked where you are in Australia – perfect for catching up on your favorites.
Online Casino Platforms
Online casinos are a highly entertaining pastime for travelers (especially in Australia) – one that can even make them a little more spending money, too. Now, due to legal restrictions, you won’t find any online casinos operating directly from Australia, but visitors to the country can still visit the offshore options highlighted in this list, both legally and safely.
Mobile Games
Mobile games are a lifesaver for long journeys while you’re traveling. As long as you have a smartphone, you’ll automatically have access to millions of apps of so many kinds across the entire internet.
I’m always so surprised by the sheer size of the mobile games industry. Personally, I have a few go-to game apps that I have used for years, but I know there are so many more coming out all the time! I love Fishdom, Angry Birds, and Snake vs Block to kill a bit of time at the end of the night or at the end of a flight.
Accommodation Apps for Traveling in Australia
Naturally, you will need some apps and websites for booking accommodation while in Australia – from hotels and hotels to campsites. There are a lot of resources for this, from apps used all over the world to ones specific to Australia. Below are some apps and types of apps you should download!
Hotel and Hostel Apps
Hotel and hostel apps are vital for any travel. Apps like Booking.com are popular to use to book hotels for good rates in Australia, and people also use apps like HotelTonight to get the best rates on last minute hotel rooms (for those spontaneous travelers).
People use Airbnb in Australia and also an Aussie-specific vacation rental site called Stayz. For backpackers, the most common app for hostels is Hostelworld which is widely used across Australia. Or, check some of my accommodation articles like the best places to stay along the Great Ocean Road or where to stay in Uluru.
WikiCamps Australia
WikiCamps is an absolute must if you are planning on camping or caravaning during your travels across Australia. In fact, this app is one of the most highly recommended by the camping and caravanning community, and for good reason too.
It will let you know where all the local camping grounds are, alongside backpacker hostels and day use areas such as toilets. The app is also well known for pointing out unique points of interest, like an abandoned plane or a swan enclosure. There is a one-time price for the app, but this $9 purchase will give you lifetime access to everything the platform has to offer, so it really is worth it.
iOverlander
This does a similar thing to WikiCamps, but with significantly fewer features. When it comes to showing you local campsites and amenities, however, it gets the job done. It also has a unique feature that allows you to log which campsites you have stayed in, so you can easily look back on your travels. It might not be as fancy as WikiCamps, but iOverlander is free, so it’s certainly a more budget-friendly option.
Hopper
This is an excellent all-in-one app for flights and hotels. It not only shows you the available options in the locations you have selected, but also compares the prices of various hotels and airlines, and is sure to get you the best possible deal 90% of the time. There is also a prediction tool that provides informed estimates of where prices will be up to 12 months in advance.
Safety Apps for Traveling Australia
Australia is an extremely safe country, but still, anyone travelling needs to make their personal safety a priority – especially those visiting the country for the first time or travelling solo. Australia has several threats that may not be a problem in your home country, like dangerous animal bites, strong ocean tides, inclement weather, and bushfires. Here are some apps to help you stay ahead of any risks!
Australian Bites and Stings App
Australia is known for many things, but perhaps the most significant is the poisonous creatures that call the country home. The Australian Bites and Stings App is excellent to have around if you ever get bitten or stung while travelling.
The app itself was developed by medical experts, and not only will it help you identify the creature that attacked you, it will also alert you if you need medical attention or if first aid can be administered by yourself. If it is the latter, the app will guide you through a clear, concise step-by-step process to both ease the pain and clean the wound. It’s honestly awesome and a life-saver in every sense of the word!
But don’t worry, it’s not common for this to happen; it’s just good to have it just in case! I never had any stings or bites in my 3 years around Australia, but I did see a few venomos snakes and spiders.
Fires Near Me
Bushfires are an unfortunate reality in Australia, and they are becoming even more frequent as the globe continues to warm. These fires can start in an instant and spread incredibly quickly, placing people in danger before they’ve even realised what’s happening. The Fires Near Me app does exactly what it says on the title, providing users with accurate, real-time updates on all fires. Travellers should check this app every time they travel through a bushfire area to make sure their planned route is safe to take.
Emergency+
Emergency+ is one of those apps that, although we hope you never have to use it, is still essential for every traveller in Australia to have. It was developed by the government and emergency services to help travelers in need.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to call emergency services, the app helps you call the correct number and will provide your exact location to the dispatcher. Not only will this help speed up the process and make getting help to you quicker and easier, but it can also be a life-saving feature if you find yourself lost while travelling.
Beachsafe
Beachsafe is a must have app for travelling Australia for Aussie beach days – it shows which beaches are patrolled, current conditions, and exactly where to swim between the red and yellow flags. You’ll see live hazard info like rip currents, stinger sightings, surf height, wind and UV, plus notes on facilities and access.
I like checking it before I leave and again in the car park… tides and wind can flip a plan fast. It’ll also point you to the nearest patrolled beach if your first pick isn’t safe. Simple, free, and built by Surf Life Saving Australia – use it.
Getting around is a lot easier these days with navigation apps! It’s vital to have at least a few of these, especially when traveling around more remote areas. Always plot your route and let someone know where you are going – safety first!
Apart from the classic Google Maps which is also vital to have for Australia for getting around and using public transport, these are a few other navigation and map apps that have helpful features.
Waze
Waze is an all-in-one driving directions and GPS app available for free. What makes Waze unique is that it uses creative ways to beat and get around traffic, and also has warnings for speed cameras (which are a huge thing in Australia), police, crashes, and more. It can also help notify when you need to leave for something based on current traffic conditions.
The app is easy to use, has a unique and fresh interface, and gives you live traffic updates as you travel. As a Waze user, you can also report traffic incidents yourself very easily and help out your fellow drivers on the road.
City Mapper
City Mapper is one of the best apps out there for navigating public transport. Unfortunately, the platform is only available in two Australian cities at the moment, Sydney and Melbourne, but the company does have plans to expand in the near future.
It helps you get around the cities in any way you want, but it’s one of the best for having real-time updates with buses, trains, trams, and more. It will also keep you updated with public transport delays, alternative options that are close by and even allow you to easily share your location with loved ones.
Conclusion
These 13 apps and types of apps for traveling in Australia are sure to help your travels in every way, from staying safe, to getting around, to staying entertained and protected online. This is one of hte most worthwhile countries to travel with so much to offer, so many sure to make the most of it by being prepared before you go.
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.