On the first visit we found costs considerably cheaper but the second time we found prices approaching the UK (somewhat due to the pound not being so strong) and over the last couple of years the pound has lost more of it's value against the A$ so I would guess prices are about the same. Though eating out is a pleasure we had some lovely meals and great service.

thanks Judith
I was hoping it would be cheaper though. Still- plenty of time to budget!

Hopefully someone who has been more recently or Chubby can give you a better idea of current prices.

Cost of meals in Australia
You can get KFC or Mc Donalds or that type of meal for about $7.00 to 12.00 all depens on what you have
Then there is the pub meal midday will be cheaper than evening meal midday $13.00 to $20.00 for veg and meat
Evening meal at the same place $20.00 To $ 30.00
Resaurants most will have there prices at the door and they go as high as what you want for the place you go to most are about $ 30.00 to $50.00 for a evening meal
Chicken or fish is the cheapest red meat is the dearest
We when traveling get a take away meal like a salad roll in a bread roll or the Aussie pie and a cup of tea or coffie for $6.00 to $8.00 then have agood evenning meal
Accommodation in big citys $100.00 to $200.00 or as high as you want it
in the country town motels $70.00 to $ 140.00
Fuel costs are about $ 1.48 to $ 1.60 per litre and on the rise
In country towns you can get a cabin in carvan parks for about $60.00 to $120.00 they have a small kitchen in them they are small units but it gives you the chance to cut down on meal costs if you want to cook
We have airlines
qantas
virgin blue
jetstar
tiger air lines have just started
So there is a lot of deals at the momment
Hope this helps
Chubby

thanks chubby- very handy to know Had to convert before I realised the prices look quite good!

There are only 2 Hogs Breath Cafes in Australia, I believe, and you will get the best steak ever in them. Google up the name and have a look.
I would recommend that if you are in a restaurant, sit and have a drink at the bar before you order, take a steady walk to the toilet, have a look at the view, and see what size portions they are serving. Not that I am tight, but I am a big eater, and the regular portions in some of the places where we ate, we should have shared them. Seafood Platters are massive, particularly up the Sunshine Coast where the fish is as cheap as chips.
If you are staying in a hotel or motel, ask if they have any clubs nearby, as they have the best system yet. The clubs lay on a mini bus to pick up visitors to their premises, you sign in, have a meal and get the bus back after several beers, and the bus is FREE.

Magic!! to Oz.

We stayed in a hostel in Cairns which had a link up with the Woolshed Pub in the centre of Town. Every evening on the dot of 7.30pm the shuttle would pick us and fellow guests up and transport us down to the pub for a free meal.

The free meal was fairly basic but you could upgrade by paying a few AUD$ and get a cracking meal. This saved us a far amount of money during our time in Cairns and I'm sure some hotels, as well as most hostels provide this service.

Also, Carlton beer on draught. It doesn't get much better than that.

On our first visit about 15yrs ago we were getting roughly 2 aus.$ to the £, this improved over the years till last year I was getting 2.43 to the £, now it's down to just over 2 to the £ again which will make everything that much dearer. Alan

Just got back after 2 weeks, can confirm that prices are pretty much as they are here in blighty...

ATB,J.

We are in Oz at the moment. Not eaten out in evening alot as we are staying in YHA's most of the time and cooking ourselves. Last night - in Adelaide we went out for a lovely pub meal and it cost $19 (just under 9 pounds) for a Thai fish curry and rice. Others in party had different meals but were all about the same price. Plenty of food - well presented - and we were told no need to leave a tip as the staff are well paid and don't expect it!!!
Through using our Nationwide card we are getting 2.18 dollars for 1 pound which is considerably less than we have got in previous years and are find things alot more expensive but enjoying every minute of it.
Due to drought the cost of veggies is quite high - caulis are about 2 pounds each and brocolli the same. Spuds 50p kg - celery 1 pound - tomatoes from 2 - 4 pounds a kilo!!! Avocados from one pound each and peaches from 2 pounds a kilo. But the meat is reasonably priced.
Depending where you are going try the Surf Lifesaving Clubs - usually a good deal there or the RSL.
In Melbourne we had brilliant meals in China town for 3 pounds (lunch only) and if you are vegetarian google Hari Krishna as we had a nice veggie curry, rice and pappads - pudding and soft drinks (as much as you could eat) in Melbourne for just over 4 pounds and just over 3 for students and pensioners. I am going to google them to find out where they are.
If you are self catering go to Aldi - the same shop as in UK - their food is excellent quality, especially the veg but they are not in every town. Again we googled to find them.
We have been here a month with 2 to go - finding the quality of fresh veg in the markets not as good as the supermarkets but they are more expensive in there.
Enjoy your stay here - its brillliant.

Hey Parky 45......There's about a hundred and 2 Hogs breaths in Oz !!, well, loads anyway!

He's right though, they are fantastic, The best steak you will ever get in your life. TRUE....GO !!

When I was there about 3 years ago we ate out often at restaurants close to where my brother lived. These were in areas which had small shopping complex and ate at Thai and the food was great and not expensive.

Sue

hi
if you find small resteraunts in many of the suburbs you can get very cheap excellent meals although this is really only possible if your hiring a car to get around. the good thing about the smaller local resteraunts is they are usually byo booze, bring your own wine or beer, they'll bung it in a fridge & bring it to you when you want it most places just charge a dollar or 2 'corkage' makes meals out a lot cheaper.
oh i should have said obviously the car driver will not be able to partake in the booze, oz has very tough drink driving laws & random breath testing chances of getting caught if you're naughty much much higher over there than in the uk.