Affordable Australian Travel: Best Accommodation Deals and Cost-Saving Tips

2. Accommodation: ~2500 RMB per person
Asked a classmate in Sydney, and they said that when they go out to play, they always stay in apartments, which are cheaper than hotels and also allow cooking (their exact words were, “You can’t eat every meal outside; it’s too expensive”).
So, with the idea of saving money on food and accommodation while still satisfying our Chinese taste buds, I downloaded the Booking app and booked all apartments.

For the two families going, I searched for accommodations suitable for 3 adults and 3 children, paying attention to facilities (whether there was a kitchen). I also downloaded Google Maps to check the locations (needed for day trips later).
(1) Melbourne: 238 Flinders Street (a disappointing one)
The location is okay, right across from Flinders Street Station, but the experience was really, really bad.

Definitely avoid this place. For 3 adults and 3 children, we got a one-bedroom apartment, with a 1.5-meter bed in the living room and a 1-meter bed in the bedroom: the 1.5-meter bed in the living room had very soft foam, and you would sink into the middle. The area was extremely small, with no proper living room, and the kitchen was cramped in the living area.

The gas stove wasn’t great. In short, it was hard to describe how bad it was.
(2) Cairns: Koala Court Holiday Apartments, Address: 147-155 Mcleod Street, Cairns
After the disappointment in Melbourne, we lowered our expectations, but this place was a pleasant surprise, and I strongly recommend it.
Good location: about 5-10 minutes by taxi to the night market and other places.

For 3 adults and 3 children, we got a 3-bedroom, 2-living room, 2-bathroom apartment. My husband saw the kitchen here and forgot his vow in Melbourne to “never cook in an apartment again” and started thinking about it again.
I originally brought a lot of clothes, planning to wear and discard them, but once I got here, I felt more like washing clothes.

I tested the dryer, and it worked better than the one at home.
(3) Sydney: Mantra on Kent, Address: 433 Kent St, Sydney CBD, Sydney
This place is also highly recommended, with good management and plenty of space. There are laundry facilities in the rooms, and the kitchen is fully equipped.
For 3 adults and 3 children, we were given two rooms.

If traveling with friends, this provides better privacy.
Each room has one large bed (considered a separate room), and there is a small bed in the large living room (suitable for children).
The location is excellent, right in the city center, with a large supermarket and Queen Victoria Building, among other shopping centers, within a 5-minute walk.

Mantra on Kent seems to be a chain, and they do a pretty good job.
– As soon as you arrive, ask the landlord where the garbage bags (for the kitchen and bathroom) are and where to dispose of the trash, as some private landlords may not be available 24/7.
– Also, ask the landlord in advance about any requirements for check-out.

In Melbourne, we were asked to restore everything to its original condition. So, when we arrived in Cairns, we woke up bright and early, ready to tackle the kitchen cleaning—only to find out later that the landlord had assured us it was their responsibility.

In the apartments I stayed in, shampoo and shower gel were always provided, so if you’re not too particular about your brands, there’s no need to pack your own. However, items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, and razors are a different story; you’ll need to bring those along yourself.