You have picked up your student ID, you have found the cheapest coffee on campus and you have probably already looked at your first assignment due date and panicked.
Welcome back to uni.
Before the semester truly grinds into gear and you are stuck in the library until midnight, you need one last proper escape. The good news is you don’t need a plane ticket or a massive bank account to do it.
Here are three epic day trips that are perfect for a student budget—just split the petrol, pack a lunch and go.
1. Brisbane: Cedar Creek Falls (Mt Tamborine)
The Trip: If you are studying at UQ, QUT or Griffith, the humidity is probably already getting to you. Cedar Creek Falls is the ultimate cure. It is about an hour’s drive south, and it offers rock pools, waterfalls and plenty of spots to cool off.
Why it works for students: It is free. Unlike the theme parks down the road, nature doesn’t charge an entry fee. Pack an esky with sandwiches, and you have a full day out for zero dollars.
2. Sydney: Palm Beach
The Trip: Sure, you could go to Coogee again, but why not head north? The drive to Palm Beach (the set of Home and Away) is stunning. You can hike up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse for the classic Instagram shot, then head back down for a swim in the ocean pool.
Why it works for students: It feels like a luxury holiday without the price tag. It is far enough away from the city campus bubble to feel like a real break, but close enough to be back in time for a cheap Tuesday dinner.
3. Melbourne: Torquay & Bells Beach
The Trip: The Great Ocean Road is a long haul, but Torquay is the perfect taster. It is the surf capital of Australia and is only about 90 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. Watch the pros carve it up at Bells Beach, grab a pie from the bakery and breathe in some actual fresh air.
Why it works for students: It is the perfect road trip distance—long enough to blast a playlist and chat, but short enough that you aren’t exhausted for your 9am lecture the next day.
The “Student Budget” Hack
We know the textbooks cost a fortune, and rent isn’t getting any cheaper. That is why road trips are the superior student holiday.
If you grab four mates and book an economy car rental from us, the cost per person is less than a round of drinks at the uni bar. You get a modern, safe car with amazing fuel efficiency, meaning you spend less at the pump and more on the fun stuff.
Ready to Escape? Don’t wait until SWOTVAC to take a break. Get the crew together, pick a date and book your ride today!
Good luck with the semester!
