NSW
Sydney
Harbour views and beach suburbs
The Rocks for history, Darling Harbour for families, Bondi or Manly for the beach.
Tip: Harbour-view rooms cost more. A short ferry or train ride out often saves money.
View more detailsHotel stays across Australia
Sleep underbetter stars.
Vegastars is a free guide to choosing where to stay in Australia's favourite cities. Find the right area, the right type of stay and the best time to book, then compare live hotel prices on trivago.
"View more details" opens trivago, a hotel price comparison site. We may earn a commission.
Stay planner
Where should you stay?
Choose a city, a season and who's travelling. We'll suggest a good area to start your search and what to expect at that time of year.
Your stay idea
Sydney NSW
Busier time, so book early- Good area to look
- The Rocks & Circular Quay
- Season
- Summer (Dec–Feb)
New Year's Eve and school holidays fill harbour hotels early. Book well ahead for 31 December.
Opens trivago to compare live hotel prices. We may earn a commission.
City guides
Eight cities, and where to stay in each
The right suburb makes more difference than the hotel name. Here's where to start looking in each city.
VIC
Melbourne
Laneways, food and big events
CBD for trams and shopping, Southbank for the river, St Kilda for the bay.
Tip: Inside the CBD's free tram zone you may not need a car or taxi at all.
View more detailsQLD
Gold Coast
Beaches and theme parks
Surfers Paradise for the buzz, Broadbeach for dining, Burleigh Heads for a calmer stay.
Tip: Apartments with kitchens and laundry often suit families better than standard rooms.
View more detailsQLD
Cairns
Gateway to the reef and rainforest
The Esplanade for reef-boat pick-ups, Palm Cove for a resort feel.
Tip: Check whether your reef tour picks up from your hotel before you book.
View more detailsQLD
Brisbane
River city with warm weather
South Bank for families, CBD for business, New Farm or Fortitude Valley for food and nightlife.
Tip: CityCat ferries are a cheap way to get around, so a riverside hotel is handy.
View more detailsWA
Perth
Sunsets over the Indian Ocean
CBD for transport, Fremantle for character, Scarborough for the beach.
Tip: Rottnest Island ferries leave from Fremantle and the city. Staying nearby saves an early start.
View more detailsTAS
Hobart
Waterfront, markets and mountain views
Salamanca and Battery Point for walking everywhere, North Hobart for value.
Tip: The Saturday Salamanca Market is popular, so nearby rooms book up on Friday nights.
View more detailsSA
Adelaide
Festivals and nearby wine regions
CBD for events, Glenelg for the beach, the Barossa for a wine weekend.
Tip: Free city trams and buses make a CBD stay easy without a car.
View more detailsTypes of stay
Hotel, apartment or resort?
Each kind of stay suits a different trip. Tap through to compare.
Most choice in the city centre
Hotel
Good for
- Daily housekeeping and 24-hour reception
- Good for short city breaks and business trips
- Loyalty points with big chains
Watch out for
- Parking in the CBD is often charged per night
- Rooms can be small in older buildings
- Check whether breakfast is included
Space and a kitchen
Serviced apartment
Good for
- Separate living area and laundry
- Great for families and longer stays
- Cooking saves money on meals
Watch out for
- Cleaning may be weekly, not daily
- Some have minimum-night rules
- Check-in desk hours can be limited
Everything on site
Resort
Good for
- Pools, restaurants and activities in one place
- Ideal for Gold Coast, Cairns and Whitsundays trips
- Many have kids' clubs in school holidays
Watch out for
- Resort fees or extra charges can apply
- Often a drive from town
- Read what the package actually includes
Simple and road-trip friendly
Motel
Good for
- Park right outside your room
- Usually cheaper than city hotels
- Easy for one-night stops
Watch out for
- Fewer facilities
- Quality varies, so read recent reviews
- Reception may close early
Local and personal
B&B or guesthouse
Good for
- Hosts with good local tips
- Breakfast often included
- Common in wine regions and Tasmania
Watch out for
- Fewer rooms, so they sell out early
- May have strict check-in times
- Not always suited to young kids
When to book
Australia's busy and quiet months
A general guide across the country. School holiday dates differ by state, and big events can make any week busy. Always check your exact dates.
JanSummer holidays
FebFestivals
MarAutumn starts
AprEaster break
MayShoulder
JunSki season
JulWinter holidays
AugShoulder
SepSpring holidays
OctSchool break
NovEvents
DecChristmas
Usually busierMixedUsually quieter
Before you book
Six things to check on any hotel
Comparison sites show many offers for the same room. These details decide which one is really the better deal.
- The total priceLook at the final price for all nights, including any booking or resort fees.
- Cancellation rulesCheaper "non-refundable" rates can cost more if your plans change.
- Exact locationCheck the map. "Near the beach" can mean a 20-minute walk.
- Parking and Wi-FiCity hotels often charge for parking each night.
- Recent reviewsRead reviews from the last few months, not just the overall score.
- Check-in timesLate arrival? Make sure reception is open or there's a key box.
Your rights
Bookings with Australian businesses are covered by the Australian Consumer Law. If a stay isn't as described, contact the booking site or hotel first. Prices shown to Australian consumers must include GST and any unavoidable fees.
Affiliate disclosure
How Vegastars makes money
Vegastars is free to use. Some buttons on this site are affiliate links. When you click "View more details" and then book, the partner site may pay us a commission. The price you pay is the same.
We are not a hotel or travel agent, we don't take payments and we never see your card details. trivago compares prices from other booking sites; your booking is made with the booking site or hotel you choose there. We don't publish fake reviews, made-up prices or "only 1 room left" claims.
Free to useSame price for youNo payments hereIndependent
FAQ
Common questions
Is Vegastars part of trivago?
No. Vegastars is an independent guide. We link to trivago because it lets you compare hotel prices from many booking sites in one place.
Can I book a hotel on this site?
No. We help you decide where to stay. Booking happens on the partner site or the hotel's own website.
Does it cost more to use your links?
No. You pay the same price. We may receive a commission from the partner, which keeps this guide free.
Why don't you show prices?
Hotel prices change by the hour. Instead of showing out-of-date numbers, we send you to a site that shows live prices.
How do I cancel or change a booking?
Contact the booking site or hotel you booked with. Their cancellation rules are shown before you pay.
How do I contact Vegastars?
Email hello@jinvidso.site. We can answer questions about this guide, but we can't change bookings.
Ready to compare stays?
See live prices from many booking sites for your city and dates on trivago.
About & contact
About Vegastars
Vegastars is a small, independent guide that helps travellers pick the right part of town and the right kind of stay before they book. We write general guidance and link to partner sites for live prices.
- Name
- Vegastars
- hello@jinvidso.site
- Website
- vegastars.jinvidso.site
- Partner
- trivago (hotel price comparison, affiliate)