Doug Goodwille from Kayne Anderson speaks to Drew Meredith from The Inside Network on market thinkers.
While a surging gold price is on hold as the world adjusts to a Trump presidency, all the factors that saw its price rise more than 50 per during his first term in office – trade disputes, fiscal deficits and geopolitical tensions – are almost certainly guaranteed the second time around.
How seniors can see Australia without breaking the bank
Many retirees look forward to seeing Australia once they’re free of the daily grind. It’s a big, diverse country, and there’s much to see.
The problem is that travel in Australia can be expensive, and many retirees need to watch their spending. But there are ways for budget-conscious travellers to get around, so it’s worth doing a bit of research to see how to make the most of your budget.
Get the timing right: One of the easiest ways to save money is to travel out of season. Australia has a wide range of climates and seasons, and while travel can be very expensive when the season is optimal, at other times there are often discounts.
Focus on one state or region: Another trick is to focus on one area and try and see a lot of it, rather than moving around and seeing a little in each place. Because Australia is so large, it costs more to drive or fly. So, pick one state or region and explore it in-depth.
Three destinations: For senior citizens on a budget, Tasmania, Adelaide and Queensland’s tropical islands are good choices. The island state is a nature lover’s paradise, with stunning scenery, wildlife and heritage. It’s also the state with the lowest average incomes so it tends to be less expensive for interstate travellers. Popular options include the rugged wilderness of Cradle Mountain (pictured), the pristine beaches of Freycinet National Park, the historic town of Port Arthur, the capital city Hobart and the gourmet delights of the Huon Valley.
While South Australia tends to be expensive, there is a concentrated pocket of activities in and around Adelaide that are less so. Hotels in the city can be quite reasonable, and from that base you can enjoy the museums, galleries, festivals and markets, as well as the nearby attractions of the Barossa Valley, Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
On Queensland’s Magnetic Island, rent a small house, bring your own food and then enjoy the beachside paradise without spending another cent.
Travel cheaply: One of the most expensive parts of exploring Australia is the travel costs, so look for discounts and concessions available to senior citizens. For example, a pensioner concession card and Commonwealth seniors health card allow for reduced fares on public transport.
Where to get the right advice: There are also resources available where people can provide you with advice and guidance when travelling on a budget, including the grey nomads. By joining this community, you will get tips, advice and resources on how to plan your trip, where to stay and what to see. You can also save money by staying at free or low-cost campsites, joining caravan clubs and taking advantage of off-peak rates. Information can also be found at Travel at 60, a travel agency and online platform specifically catering for senior citizens, and Senior Travel Expert, a website offering advice and recommendations on how to travel cheaply.
Enjoy free and low-cost attractions: Finally, you can save money by enjoying the many free and low-cost attractions on offer. Australia is blessed with natural beauty, cultural diversity and historical heritage, and while a lot of the more touristy activities can cost money, many of these alternative and more interesting (from the perspective of learning about Australia) activities are low-cost or free.
Australia has some of the best beaches in the world and they are free. Private ownership of beaches is not allowed, so you can swim, sunbathe, picnic or walk along the shore and admire the views and wildlife for free.
There are various parks and gardens, from urban oases to national parks, that are free or cheap to enter. You can stroll, cycle or picnic in the green spaces, and admire the flowers, trees and sculptures. Most cities have botanic gardens, and even small towns have their own little gardens. For example, the Southern Highlands has a garden called Corbet Garden that is a simple, low-cost bus ride from Sydney.
Australia’s rich and diverse cultural and artistic heritage can be discovered at the museums and galleries dotted around the country. Many are free or have concession rates for senior citizens. Some of the most popular and prestigious museums and galleries are the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney and the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art.
The best way to see Australia on a budget is to, simply, know what your budget is first, and then look for what you can do with that. You’re almost certainly going to be surprised once you start looking for alternatives to the expensive way of doing things.
