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You’ve booked the campervan, you’ve got your playlist sorted and you may have even Googled whether or not kangaroos are dangerous. But now you’re thinking, how am I going to pay for things when travelling to Australia?
We all know that sorting out payments is the least glamorous part of planning a road trip. But a little bit of prep can save you a surprising amount of money, and more money means more fun stuff! So bear with us. Whether you’re travelling from New Zealand, the US, the UK, Europe or anywhere else in the world, this guide covers all you need to know about spending money in Australia.
What Currency Does Australia Use?
Australia uses the Australian dollar (AUD). You’ll see it written as AUD, A$, or just $ on price tags and menus. All prices are in Australian dollars, not US dollars or any other currency. It’s worth getting your head around the exchange rate before you arrive so you’re not having to do mental gymnastics at the supermarket checkout.
All prices in Australia are in AUD. Get familiar with these beauties before you arrive
Can I use my card in Australia?
Most likely, yes. Card payments are the norm in Australia. A vast majority of businesses accept cards, and contactless tap-and-go payment is very common. That said, there are a few things to check before you arrive.
Accepted card brands in Australia:
- Visa - accepted almost everywhere
- Mastercard - accepted almost everywhere
- American Express - accepted at most larger stores, hotels and supermarkets, but not always at smaller businesses
European travellers, listen up: If you’re still rocking an older Maestro bank card, you may run into problems. You can usually use it at ATMs to get cash out, but a lot of Australian shops and supermarkets will not accept it for purchases. It’s one of those things that catch some travellers off guard. We strongly recommend sorting a travel friendly card, like the Wise Multi-Currency Card, before you leave home.
A note for all travellers: Before you travel, let your bank know you’re heading to Australia. Most banks have a travel notification feature in their app or online banking. If you skip this step, your bank's security system might see a random charge from a servo in Coober Pedy and think your card has been stolen. A blocked card in the middle of the outback = not a good time.
Is it Better to use Cash or Card in Australia?
Australia is a very card-friendly country. In cities, towns and most tourist areas, you can pay by card, including contactless tap-and-go for almost everything. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also widely accepted, so paying with your phone or smartwatch is totally normal here.
That said, there are some situations where having some cash on hand is genuinely useful. You may find some smaller markets, roadside stalls or local food vendors that prefer cash, and certain campgrounds, especially in remote areas, run on an honesty box system where cash is the only option. Out in regional areas, some small businesses struggle with internet connection so card payments are not always reliable. Tipping isn’t expected in Australia the way it is in the US, but if you do want to leave something for great service, cash is the way to go. Our recommendation is to carry a small amount of cash (around $50-100AUD) for these situations and to use your card for everything else.
Spaceships tip: If you can’t find an ATM, try a petrol station or supermarket. Many allow you to withdraw cash at the register when you make a purchase. Just ask to take ‘cash out’ at the checkout. At most major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles it's free to get cash out on a debit card, petrol stations and smaller shops may charge a small fee. It's worth noting that cash out on a credit card is a different story. Some places may not allow it, and if they do your bank will likely treat it as a cash advance with fees and immediate interest, so it's best to stick to debit cards for cash out. If you're a smart traveller using a Wise card and have hit your monthly fee-free ATM limit, cashing out at a supermarket is a quick and cheap workaround.
Tap, go, done. The Wise card making life easy on the road
What’s the Best Way to Pay for Things in Australia?
Even though most travellers can use their regular cards for payment, many don't realise how much money they're quietly losing on every single transaction overseas. These small pesky fees can add up pretty quickly. Here’s how traditional bank cards cost you money without you noticing:
- Many banks will charge a ‘foreign transaction fee’ each time you use your card overseas. The fee is often between 1 and 3% of the purchase price.
- Banks use their own exchange rates, which is almost always worse than the real mid-market rate.
- Using your bank card at an overseas ATM often incurs fees from both your bank and the local ATM.
Luckily for you, there’s now a smarter way to spend. Popular with travellers all over the world, the Wise Multi-Currency Card is a debit card designed specifically for spending in other countries, and it works perfectly in Australia.
The biggest win with Wise is that it converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate, the one you see online, not a marked-up bank rate. Transaction fees are low and shown upfront, so there are no hidden costs hiding in your bank statement. You can hold and convert over 40 currencies within the one account, and there’s even a fee-free ATM cash allowance every month for those times you need physical cash. It works well with Apple Pay and Google Pay so you can tap your phone and pay just like a local.
If you want to get really savvy with it, set up rate alerts in the app. It’ll notify you when the exchange rate swings in your favour so you can convert at the right moment.
You can easily set up a Wise account and order your card online before you leave home. There’s a small one time fee to get the physical card delivered, or you can use a digital card through the app instantly - add it to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and you’re good to go.
Spaceships tip: You can also use your Wise card to pay for your Spaceships campervan booking.
The only thing better than this view is not having to worry about your bank fees while you're enjoying it
How Much Cash Should I Bring to Australia?
There’s no magic number. For a week of road tripping, roughly $50-200AUD in cash is usually more than plenty for the incidentals. All of your big spending (fuel, groceries, campgrounds or accommodation and activities) will likely be card-based. If you’re heading somewhere very remote, particularly areas in the Northern Territory or Western Australia, carry a bit more.
Don’t arrive with a suitcase full of cash. Australia is a modern, mostly cashless country. You won’t need it often and carrying large amounts of cash while travelling is never a great idea.
Should I Exchange Money Before I Arrive in Australia?
You can, but if it really matters to you, keep an eye on where you can get the best value. Airport currency exchange booths are notorious for poor exchange rates. Most have dropped their fees nowadays to lure you in, but don't be fooled. More often than not they make up for it with a terrible exchange rate for the conversion itself. It’s a classic lack of competition and high convenience sort of situation that a lot of people fall for. Here is what we suggest instead:
- Use an ATM in Australia when you arrive to get local cash
- Use a travel debit card instead. One that converts currency at the real mid-market rate (the one you see on Google)
- If you do want some AUD before you leave, try a specialist currency exchange
Don’t stress too much about having Australian dollars on hand before you arrive. You’ll be able to access money easily once you land.
This could be you. Financially sorted and absolutely loving it!
Always Carry a Backup Payment Method
A simple, but important rule of thumb: never travel with just one card. Things happen, cards get lost, damaged, or temporarily blocked by your bank as a security measure. If you only bring one card, it could seriously throw off your trip. Ideally, carry at least two different cards. For example, your regular bank card, plus a travel card like Wise. Keep them in different places (not both in the same wallet) so if one goes missing you’re not completely stuck.
Paying For Your Spaceships Campervan in Australia
Spaceships Rentals is a completely cashless business. All payments are made via card, which is safer and more straightforward for everyone involved. The good news is that there are no extra costs for paying online by card, so what you see is what you pay. It’s a Spaceships promise!
And here's a tip to that can save you a decent amount of money: pay your Spaceships booking using your Wise card. That means your converting at the real mid-market rate rather than whatever your bank decides to charge. Pay your deposit when you book, then set a rate alert in the Wise app and time the payment of your remaining balance for when the exchange rate is working in your favour. On a booking of any size that timing alone can make a noticeable difference and it doesn't take long to set up.
Eyes on the road. Wallet sorted. Let's go!
Travel Smart and Save Money!
All sorted on the money side? Now let’s talk about where you're actually going. Browse our full range of Australian road trip itineraries or check out our Spaceships campervans to find the perfect van for your adventure.
Australia is huge! And it’s not going to explore itself…
