The 14 best apps for travelling Australia

1. Beachsafe

Perfect for: beachlovers

Image: Beachsafe

Australia has no shortage of incredible beaches, but knowing which are safe for swimming is important. Beachsafe comes to you directly from the Australian Surf Life Saving Association and is designed to keep you safe. You can search for every Australian beach under the sun and look up hazards and updates on the water conditions. Remember: just because a beach looks safe, doesn’t mean it’s free of dangerous rips. As well as checking the Beachsafe app regularly, always choose to swim at patrolled beaches, and stay between the red and yellow flags.

2. WhatsApp & Messenger

Perfect for: staying in touch

Image: Getty Images

Roaming charges can put a serious dent in your budget, so it’s important to have an affordable and easy way to communicate with your friends and family back home. With WhatsApp and Messenger by Facebook – all you need is a WiFi connection or data, and boom! You’ll be connected with all your loved ones around the world.

3. Skyscanner

Perfect for: frugal flyers

Image: Skyscanner

Looking to save on flights while exploring Australia? Enter Skyscanner, the ultimate travel app for budget-conscious backpackers. Find the cheapest flights, track price changes, and prioritise flight duration with ease. Say goodbye to pricey airfares and hello to affordable adventures.

4. XE Currency Converter

Perfect for: numerically challenged nomads

Image: XE Currency

By far the most unsexy part of travelling is dealing with money and trying to work out currency conversions. But XE Currency Converter can help. No more crunching numbers or worrying about fluctuating exchange rates. With live updates and precise conversion rates, it helps you manage your budget effortlessly. Keep track of expenses, compare prices and make purchases without surprises. XE Currency Converter simplifies financial planning on the fly, so you can focus on visiting all the best places in Australia.

5. The Happiest Hour

Perfect for: travellers with booze budget

Image: The Happiest Hour

Looking for a good time without breaking the bank? We've got you covered. The Happiest Hour is your go-to app for finding the best spots to eat and drink across Australia and New Zealand.  

With this app, you can easily find places that offer happy hour specials, two-for-one cocktail, and $5 wine nights. Whether you're craving an all-you-can-eat buffet, some delicious dumplings or a cheesy pizza, you can find the perfect venue with this app. 

6. Uber

Perfect for: getting home safely after a night out

Image: Getty Images

Everyone knows Uber. Widely available across Australia, it’s one of the most popular phone apps for travellers and it’s your safest and most economical option for navigating Australia’s nightlife. Whether you're exploring the backstreets of Sydney or simply need a reliable ride home after a night out, Uber's seamless booking process and trusted drivers ensure a stress-free experience. Simply punch in your destination, sit back and enjoy the ride knowing you're in good hands.

7. Travello

Perfect for: finding travel buddies

Image: Travello

Travello is the perfect way to connect with like-minded travellers. This app has a great story behind it: two friends with absolutely no tech experience had an idea to build a ‘Facebook for travellers’, and Travello was born. Join groups that match your interests, post your travel updates and photos to the feed and meet up with other adventurers nearby. This app is especially handy for solo travellers who are looking to mingle.

8. Australia Post

Perfect for: collecting care packages

Image: Australia Post

Ever wished you could receive parcels on the go? Well, with Parcel Collect from Australia Post, it's a breeze. Just hop onto the Australia Post app, register and grab your unique ID. Then, whenever you need to give a delivery address, pick an Australia Post collection office, and voila! Your goodies can find you anywhere.

9. AllTrails

Perfect for: trailblazers

Image: AllTrails

Ready to blaze a trail through Australia's stunning landscapes? Look no further than AllTrails, the essential app for outdoorsy travellers. With its extensive database of hiking, biking and running trails, AllTrails helps you discover the perfect outdoor adventure. Whether you're chasing waterfalls in the rainforest or summiting rugged peaks, AllTrails provides detailed maps, trail reviews and photos to ensure a safe and memorable journey through Australia's wilderness.

10. Seek by iNaturalist

Perfect for: nature lovers

Image: Seek by iNaturalist

Ready to dive into Australia's wild side? Check out iNaturalist – it's like having a personal guide to all the cool critters and plants you'll spot on your adventures. From bushwalks to beach days, this app's got your back with its easy-to-use tools for identifying and learning about Aussie wildlife.

11. WiFi Map

Perfect for: digital nomads

Image: WiFi Map

Stay linked up on your Aussie adventures with WiFi Map, your go-to for finding free Wi-Fi hotspots on the move. It's a lifesaver for digital nomads and travellers who need to stay connected. With its wide range of free public Wi-Fi spots and live updates, Wifi Map keeps you online no matter where you wander. 

12. Google Translate

Perfect for: global gabfests

Image: Android Central

Google Translate is a game-changer for backpackers with language barriers. When you’re staying in YHA hostels, you’ll meet travellers from all over the world, and this app makes it easy to mingle. Just punch in your message, and bam, you can chat away in any language. Plus, you can download languages for offline use when you're out exploring the Outback or hitting the beaches. It's like having a multilingual buddy in your back pocket.

13. Waze

Perfect for: finding your way

Image: Waze

Are you heading out on an Aussie road trip? Waze is one of the top Aussie road trip apps. Finding your way is a breeze with Waze's real-time traffic updates, alternative route maps and crowd-sourced information on road conditions. Say goodbye to traffic jams and wrong turns – Waze makes getting from point A to point B as easy as a tap on your screen.

14. Fuel Map

Perfect for: roadtrippers

Image: Fuel Map

Want to save money filling up your tank? Meet Fuel Map, your ultimate companion for finding affordable petrol stations around Australia. This app has all the info on fuel prices in real time, so you'll never have to stress about running low on petrol, no matter where you roam. Plus, saving on fuel costs means you can cover more miles on your trip!

Updated by K. Hastings