Free ways to entertain yourself in Australia during the new normal. Image credit: AdobeStock
Although Australia has been relatively unscathed by COVID-19 compared to a lot of other countries around the world, lots of people are still acting as carefully as possible.
While it has been great to see crowds allowed to attend the Australian Open in Melbourne, many have found their finances hit hard by the pandemic and need to keep a tight budget for now.
It might be tempting to splash out on fun activities now that the summer months are here to enjoy, but there are more than enough free things to do in Australia during the new normal.
Aussies love the beach, as seen by the scenes of packed sandy shores on Australia Day.
As long as social distancing rules are followed a trip to the beach should be safe, though it is important to check the latest local restrictions to ensure this is still allowed.
After all, rules and regulations have been changing on a regular basis, which is partly why Australia has been able to become virtually free of COVID-19 so far this year.
It might be best to steer clear of beaches at peak times such as the weekends even if visits are allowed then, so pick the moment for a trip carefully in order to stay as safe as possible.
However, outdoor transmission of the virus is believed to be minimal, so beaches should be a pretty safe place to go for a free day out in the sun.
Australia is known across the planet for its weird and wonderful ‘Big Things’ – it is one of the reasons why the country is regarded as the best vacation destination – so a trip to one of these sites might be a cheap and cheerful activity for the new normal.
The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, is a perfect picture opportunity and the Big Lobster in Kingston is well worth checking out as well. Another favourite is the Big Pineapple in Woombye, Queensland, while it would be remiss not to mention the Big Prawn in Ballina, NSW.
Australia is also home to what is claimed to be the World’s Tallest Bin. Find this remarkable creation in Kalgoorlie, in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia.
It was installed by the Keep Kalgoorlie Klean Kommittee all the way back in 1980 in order to remind people not to litter.
Visiting online casinos might not sound like free entertainment, but there is a way to avoid having to open your wallet before playing games like slots, blackjack and roulette.
Many casino sites now allow people to play games for free in order to test them out, which can be a good way to while away some time if the weather is too bad to spend time outdoors.
NoDepositDaily’s catalogue is a great resource for finding the best no deposit codes available in Australia. The best thing about no deposit codes is they often allow players to win real cash without having to spend a penny themselves.
Check the small print of the terms and conditions for such deals for information such as the maximum win allowed, the time limit and whether or not wagering requirements are in play.
Australia is home to some great zoos – such as Queensland’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – but these can often be a surprisingly expensive day out for the family.
A low-cost alternative is to go to Perth’s Heirisson Island, which is completely free but still offers the chance to see lots of wildlife and animals including kangaroos.
Located in the middle of the city’s Swan River, between Victoria Park and East Perth, Heirisson Island has been home to kangaroos since they were introduced at the end of the 20th century.
Nowadays, the kangaroo population on the island is thriving and while they are mainly nocturnal animals, there is usually a good chance to see them out and about during the day as well.
Perth’s Heirisson Island is also a great place to check out WA’s array of native flora and fauna.