There’s an app for everything these days, and many of them make life so much easier – especially on holiday. Here are 12 of our favourites.
1. Petrol Spy
iPhone and Android
There’s something special about Aussie road trips – and the great news is they don’t have to break the bank. Just download a fuel-watching app like Petrol Spy 🕵️ Petrol Spy monitors government fuel price databases and community tips to find the lowest petrol prices all over the country. It’s got you covered for almost every fuel type you can think of. Just pop in your postcode or suburb to see the prices near you.
2. SunSmart
iPhone and Android
We’re a nation of sun lovers, but NO-ONE likes getting burnt. So avoid it (and any ensuing aloe vera self-pity parties) with the SunSmart app, which tells you how much sunscreen you need to apply and when. You can also check the weather forecast and set alerts to remind you when it’s time to reapply 😎
3. The Happiest Hour
iPhone and Android
Finally, an app that tells you where your nearest happy hour is wherever you are in Oz or NZ. The Happiest Hour can also help you find food and drink specials (including special meal nights – hello, taco Tuesdays), trivia nights and even takeaway deals. Cheers to that! 🍻
4. Beachsafe
iPhone and Android
What’s an Aussie holiday without a trip to the beach? With Beachsafe you can find your nearest beach in moments, as well as all its safety info, including its current lifesaving services (or the location of your nearest patrolled beach), the surf conditions and any hazards. Beachsafe also gives you expert advice on beach safety issues like flags and signs, waves, rip currents, marine creatures and more 🏊
5. SkyView Lite
iPhone and Android
Anyone can be Galileo with the SkyView app, which lets you stargaze without having to lug around a telescope. Just point your device at the sky and SkyView’s AR technology will do the rest, showing you constellations, stars and even space satellites. Show the kids – they’ll love it!
Insider tip: If you love the free version, the deluxe one is only a couple of dollars. It’s also available for iPhone and Android.
6. PackPoint travel packing list
iPhone and Android
Ditch the Excel spreadsheet (or notepad and pen) and never forget an important phone charger or stuffed toy again! PackPoint helps you figure out what you need to pack based on your destination, the time of year, how long you’re staying, and what you’ll be doing. It even checks the weather for you! Plus you can make custom packing lists to include any personal essentials that matter to you (like, say, your favourite bum bag 😜).
7. Wheelmap
iPhone and Android
Wheelmap is super handy for anyone who uses a wheelchair or accessible facilities – especially when travelling. It’s a map that shows accessibility info (including ramps, parking and toilets) for places near you, as marked and rated by other users. It’s free and easy to use – and if you love it, you can join in-person and digital mapping events to help make it even better.
8. Smiling Mind
iPhone and Android
Travel is fun but can sometimes be a little stressful. So why not try a mini guided meditation on Smiling Mind? It’s great for over-excited kids, with programs to help them wind down, and a sleep guide for adults. There’s also a five-minute Practicing Gratitude session, which is perfect for all ages and adds a little calm to any holiday.
9. Outbound
iPhone and Android
The Outbound Collective is an app with a social mission. It’s a POC-owned platform based in California that enables people to recommend outdoor hikes, trails, adventures and photography spots all over the world – all for the joy of getting outside and enjoying nature. There are heaps of Aussie trails and users can upload their own trips with reviews and images. You can also make a wish list of things you want to do and leave reviews of places you have been using this highly scientific ranking method: awesome, terrible or average.
10. Yalinguth
iPhone and Android
Going to Naarm/Melbourne? Check out Yalinguth – a First Nations augmented reality app that offers a unique, moving and utterly immersive audio tour of Gertrude Street in Ngár-go/Fitzroy. It includes stories, songs and poems read and performed by Elders, artists and activists such as Uncle Jack Charles, Uncle Archie Roach and Lidia Thorpe. Yalinguth is a new app and more stories are coming. Keep an eye on its Facebook page for updates!
11. FindPenguins travel tracker
iPhone and Android
No, this isn’t an app guide to Phillip Island (although we’d love that) – it’s an interactive travel journal that tracks your entire trip and lets you upload pics and videos to capture your holiday even without WiFi. At the end of your trip, you can even convert your journal into a physical photo book that’s delivered right to your door. Next Christmas’ presents are sorted! 🐧
12. The Wotif App
iPhone and Android
Come on – you know we had to! If you book your holidays on Wotif.com, the Wotif app can take you from holi-daydream to fully booked in just a few clicks. It then stores your itinerary for easy access and sends you real-time flight notifications. And, as a bonus, you’ll also get access to special Mates Rates hotel deals in Oz and all over the world 😮
PLAN YOUR NEXT GETAWAYHeads up! Due to COVID-19, government restrictions are in constant review and travel guidelines may change. We strongly recommend that all travellers seek further information about destinations and attractions before scheduling trips or making bookings, take extra care and follow all rules.
