Australia is a dream destination for many travellers, but it’s also a big country with unique quirks — from blazing sunshine and sprawling distances to world-class beaches and wildlife. Luckily, your smartphone can make your trip smoother, cheaper, and safer.

Gone are the days of lugging around heavy guidebooks. Today’s holidaymakers rely on apps for maps, food, transport, money, and safety. Best of all, most of them are free, regularly updated, and easy to use offline.

So before you board your flight, make sure you’ve downloaded these must-have apps for travelling in Australia.

1. SeatGuru – Smarter Flying

There’s nothing worse than starting your Aussie holiday squashed into a cramped seat next to the toilets. SeatGuru lets you check detailed seating maps for hundreds of aircraft so you can choose the best spot — whether you’re after extra legroom, a quieter cabin, or just avoiding a dud seat.

🔗 Great for: Long-haul flights into Australia.

2. XE Currency – Real-Time Money Conversions

Australia uses the Aussie dollar (AUD), and while it’s stable, exchange rates can catch you out. XE Currency is a simple but powerful app that lets you check live exchange rates and even store them offline for when you’re out of coverage. Perfect for knowing whether that café bill or souvenir bargain is really good value.

🔗 Great for: Budget-conscious travellers.

3. SunSmart Global UV App – Stay Safe in the Aussie Sun

Australia is famous for its sunshine, but it also has some of the highest UV radiation levels in the world. Sunburn can happen in as little as 10 minutes, even on cloudy days. The SunSmart Global UV app (developed with the World Health Organization) gives live UV alerts for your location and reminds you when it’s time to reapply sunscreen.

🔗 Great for: Beach days, bushwalks, and road trips.

4. Google Maps (Offline Mode) – Navigate Anywhere

Public transport in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane is great, but exploring beyond the cities means you’ll need a car — and a map. Google Maps is still the gold standard for navigation in Australia. Save maps offline before you head out and you’ll be able to drive across the Outback, find hidden beaches, or locate the nearest petrol station without chewing through data.

🔗 Great for: Road trips and exploring off the beaten track.

5. TripView (NSW) / MetroNotify (VIC) – Public Transport Made Easy

If you’re sticking to the cities, Australia’s public transport apps are lifesavers.

• TripView (Sydney & NSW) gives real-time train, bus, and ferry timetables.

• MetroNotify (Melbourne) alerts you about train delays and disruptions.

Other states (QLD, WA, SA) also have official transport apps, so it’s worth downloading the one relevant to where you’ll be.

🔗 Great for: City explorers without a car.

6. TravelSafe (Emergency App) – Safety First

Australia is safe, but accidents happen — whether it’s a hiking slip, a sting at the beach, or a car mishap on a long road. TravelSafe stores all the local emergency numbers and can send your GPS coordinates to first responders. It’s peace of mind in your pocket.

🔗 Great for: Every traveller, everywhere.

7. Zomato (ex-Eatability) – Find the Best Eats

Eatability is long gone, but Australia’s food scene is stronger than ever. Zomato (formerly Urbanspoon) covers most major cities, with reviews, menus, and budget filters so you can find everything from rooftop cocktail bars to the best flat white near your hotel. For rural areas, Google Maps reviews or TripAdvisor are solid backups.

🔗 Great for: Foodies and café hoppers.

8. Fuel Map Australia – Save on Petrol

If you’re hiring a car (and with Redspot you probably are), fuel costs can add up quickly on long drives. Fuel Map Australia shows the cheapest petrol stations nearby, with live price updates in many states. A few cents difference per litre really adds up when you’re road tripping the coast.

🔗 Great for: Budget-savvy road trippers.

9. WhatsApp & Skype – Stay in Touch

Roaming charges in Australia can be brutal. Most travellers use WhatsApp or Skype to make free voice and video calls over Wi-Fi. Nearly every hotel, café, and airport offers free Wi-Fi these days, so staying connected to friends and family back home has never been easier.

🔗 Great for: International travellers avoiding roaming costs.

10. Airbnb & Booking.com – Flexible Accommodation

For last-minute accommodation changes, you’ll want both Airbnb (for unique local stays) and Booking.com (for hotels and motels). Having both gives you flexibility, especially in smaller Aussie towns where availability can change quickly.

🔗 Great for: Anyone travelling beyond the big cities.

Bonus: Driving in Australia?

If you’re hiring a car to explore Australia (and you should — it’s the best way to see the country), pair these apps with Redspot Car Rentals for the ultimate travel combo:

• Fuel Map Australia – cheapest petrol stops.

• Google Maps Offline – navigation without data.

• SunSmart UV App – to keep you safe at outdoor stops.

Redspot has modern, fuel-efficient vehicles ready to go from all major Australian airports, making it easy to pick up your rental as soon as you land.

Final Thoughts

Australia is huge, diverse, and sometimes unpredictable — but with the right apps, you’ll travel smarter, safer, and cheaper. From avoiding sunburn to saving money on fuel, these apps will help you focus less on logistics and more on enjoying the adventure.

👉 Looking to rent a vehicle during your time in Australia? Book with Redspot.