Backpacking Australia 6 months?

[Canadian]

I'm planning a 6 month trip to Australia and in the works of just figuring cost and where to stay/go. This would be my itinerary for my 6 months and I am always open for change nothing is sent in stone.

Feb 15,2009 { Sydney }
Mar 15,2009 { " " }

Mar 15 { Melbourne}
Apr 15 { " " }
<---------------------------Would like to go to Uluru for 2-5 days?
Apr 20 { Darwin }
May 15 { " " }
June 15 { " " }

June 15 { Brisbane/Surfers}
July 15 { " " }

I calculated my cost and not sure if I am on the right track.

Canada Health Insurance is $275
Flight $1800 return
Food 6 months = $3600
Hostel 6 months $4800 ( I was looking at hostels all around Australia and YHA has great reviews,rates are from 25-30 dollars so that is where I get my $4800)
Other expenses= $1500 (This includes train/bus rides even a flight if needed or tours)
Works out to about $12,000

I would like to get a working holiday visa and work my 3 months in Northern Territory "Darwin". So by getting a working a holiday visa and hopefully finding some work this would cut my overall cost.


I'm I out in left field on all my stuff or is this pretty accurate on money you will need? I would also appreciate suggestions on hostels / or my itinerary that I have laid out.

Thank you and happy new year to all !!!!

 

[mel]

What about Western Australia and South Australia? Could you add a month and split it between the two?

You say you found hostels for $25- $30, in most cities you can be paying up to $100 a night, the average would be closer to $50. The time of year will impact on this of course. So you might want to include a bit more for accommodation.

I see you only allow $20 a day for food, are you living off a loaf of bread and two minute noodles or will you eat out at times. That's not enough money. I would allow $50 a day. Some times you have a cheaper meal then you can afford to splurge once or twice and if you go to theme parks $20 would be lucky to cover lunch.

Other expenses. Generally it is cheaper to fly from state to state and since your states are at opposite ends, i.e Darwin to Melbourne, flying is the only real option. Melb to Dar would cost you around $300, Syd - Melb $100, Dar - Bris $200, thats $600 already. Darwin is expensive, Qantas are the only airline that flies there so you pay. The other cities have discounted flights all the time. Look at Qantas, Virgin Blue, Tiger (don't go with Jetstar). Plus add a couple of week travel passes say $120, tours are bloody expensive, want to climb the bridge $200. You get where I'm coming from, I would probably double this to $3000.

I don't think NT would be a good place to get work, it is a small town so theres not a lot of work available. I would be trying Queensland and do some fruitpicking. Or if you have experience some bar work in Syd or Melb.

One last thing, bring a credit card. As your are trying to do this to a budget it would be easy to go over, make sure you have that as a back up.

I hope that helps, if you have any questions feel free to email me.