If you’re planning a summer trip around Australia, you don’t need to sacrifice a reliable internet connection – even if you’re camping or going off-grid. Sometimes you need to stay online when holidaying, be it to catch up on some work, to watch some Netflix in the caravan, or to just make sure you’re not stranded without access to maps, banking, or booking details.
Thankfully, there’s so many choices out there for connecting to WiFi when travelling throughout Australia, just in case you’re after internet on the road.
Internet for travelling: The best WiFi for holidays
There’s plenty of choices out there for if you’d like to use data when away from home, and we’ve got several options for you in this article. But just briefly, here’s some quick solutions to your holiday internet woes:
- A mobile broadband plan
- A postpaid or prepaid phone plan with lots of data
- A home wireless broadband plan (provided you have mains power)
- Find accommodation with an internet connection available
The above three options are your best bet for getting some decent internet while you’re at camp or relaxing in the caravan, unless there’s free WiFi at your campgrounds or in your accommodation. If you’re unsure which connection is right or you, we’ll be going through each option and outlining some of the best plans available.
Just make sure there’s a good mobile network signal where you’re travelling. If you’re unsure if coverage is available, check your provider’s website for more information. You don’t want to be out of range, otherwise you won’t be able to get online.
Mobile broadband plans for the holidays
Mobile broadband should be one of your go-to options if you need WiFi on the move. Essentially, mobile broadband is an internet connection that relies on the same 4G, 3G (and sometimes 5G) network signals used by your smartphone. Getting connected is easy, and generally all you need is a SIM card which can be slotted into your phone, tablet, WiFi dongle, or laptop if a slot is available.
There’s no phone number attached to these SIM cards, so calls and texts aren’t included – you’re paying solely for data (and whatever other bonuses your provider offers, such as data-free streaming or hotspot access). You can find mobile broadband plans below.
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: 100GB+
The following table shows a selection of published 100GB and over mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $720Â over 12Â months |
100GB | $60 | |
 |
min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period |
100GB | $65 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $75 over one month |
200GB | $75 | Go To Site |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: Over 50GB
The following table shows a selection of published mobile broadband plans with 50GB – 100GB of data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
SIM Only 50GB
min. cost $40 over 28 day billing period |
50GB | $40 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $480 over 12 month plan period |
50GB | $40 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $540Â over 12Â months |
60GB | $45 | |
|
min. cost $50 over one month |
60GB | $50 | Go To Site |
|
SIM Only 90GB
min. cost $60 over 28 day billing period |
90GB | $60 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: Under 50GB
The following table shows a selection of published mobile broadband plans with less than 50GB of data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SIM Only 7GB
min. cost $15 over 28 day billing period |
7GB | $15 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $180 over 12 month plan period |
7GB | $15 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $15 over one month |
5GB | $15 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $180Â over 12Â months |
5GB | $15 | |
|
min. cost $300 over 12 month plan period |
15GB | $25 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $25 over one month |
20GB | $25 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $360Â over 12Â months |
25GB | $30 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Big data phone plans for travelling
A relatively simple solution to your holiday data woes could be to upgrade your phone’s data plan, and use a mobile hotspot to connect your devices. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all offer ‘unlimited’ data on postpaid mobile plans in addition to a monthly high-speed data allowance. This ‘unlimited’ or endless data is going to be speed-capped: depending on your plan or provider, these speeds may be limited to 1.5Mbps, 2Mbps, 10Mbps or 25Mbps.
If you’re concerned about accidentally going over your plan inclusions, this might be something worth considering, although there’s plenty of other smaller telcos offering big data inclusions to consider. You could just switch your number to another provider, or buy a new plan all together, and just use its data. You can find plans in the table below.
The following table shows a selection of SIM-only postpaid plans with a minimum of 40GB data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
The following table shows a selection of SIM-only prepaid plans with a minimum of 40GB data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Home wireless broadband plans for the holidays
An alternative solution to your internet woes is a home wireless broadband plan. Using 4G, 3G, and (from selected providers) 5G networks, home wireless broadband gets you on the internet with a wireless modem. The catch is the modem needs mains power, and you’ll need to be in range of a mobile network to connect.
Quite simply, this type of internet needs its own power, which could be an issue if you’re travelling remotely. However, an advantage it has over mobile broadband is that data limits are typically larger, and might work better for you if you’re doing large downloads or constantly online.
Home wireless broadband could be the right choice for you if you’re staying in a holiday home, in a caravan with mains power, or taking a generator with you. You can find a range of home wireless broadband plans below.
Southern Phone Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Southern Phone wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $1,279 over 24 month plan period |
200GB | $50 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,759Â over 24 month plan period |
500GB | $70 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Tangerine Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Tangerine wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $59.90 over first month |
200GB | $69.90 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $69.90 over first month |
500GB | $79.90 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $99.90 over first month |
1000GB | $99.90 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Optus 4G Home Internet Plans
Optus provides a choice of two 4G home internet plans, both on two-year contracts or month-to-month. $65 buys you 200GB of data, while the $75 plan features 500GB each month. Two-year plans include a modem at no upfront cost, but if you decide to go contract free, you’ll need to pay $216 upfront.
If you use more than your included data during your billing month, you’ll automatically receive another 40GB for $10 up to 5 times, after which your speed will be slowed to 1.5Mps. Coverage and serviceability will vary depending on device, location and other factors.
The following table shows a selection of Optus 4G Home Internet plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
4G Home Internet Lite 200GB (24 Months)
min. cost $1,560Â over 24 month plan period |
200GB | $65 | Go To Site |
|
4G Home Internet Lite 200GB (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $281 (incl. $216 modem cost)Â over first month plan period |
200GB | $65 | Go To Site |
|
4G Home Internet Everyday 500GB (24 Month)
min. cost $1,800Â over 24 month plan period |
500GB | $75 | Go To Site |
|
4G Home Internet Everyday 500GB (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $291 (incl. $216 modem cost)Â over first month plan period |
500GB | $75 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Yomojo Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Yomojo wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Home Wireless Broadband Plan
min. cost $238.90 for the first month |
200GB | $59.90 | |
|
Home Wireless Broadband Plan
min. cost $258.90 for the first month |
500GB | $79.90 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Spintel Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Spintel wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Basic Home Wireless Broadband Plan (12Mbps)
min. cost $798.40Â over 12Â month plan period |
200GB | $49.95 | |
|
Home Wireless Broadband Plan (High Speed 4G)
min. cost $918.40 over 12Â month plan period |
200GB | $59.95 | |
|
Home Wireless Broadband (High Speed 4G)
min. cost $1,038.40Â over 12Â month plan period |
500GB | $69.95 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Find accommodation that provides its own internet
One more thing you can try – which may be the easiest option if you want a no-fuss way of getting online – is finding accommodation that provides its own internet, typically through a WiFi signal. There’s no guarantee that your campsite will have an internet connection available; there’s also no guarantee that your connection will be all that fast or reliable. However, it’s definitely worth looking into before you book a spot or hit the road.
Here’s a quick rundown of popular Australian campsites that offer WiFi:
- Dunk Island View Caravan Park, QLD
- Eden Gateway Holiday Park, NSW
- Camp Elim, NSW
- Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park, SA
- Gracetown Caravan Park, WA
Via pitchup.com
How do I use my internet while I’m travelling?
Each one of the above options is slightly different in how they operate, but overall they achieve the same thing – getting you online. Whatever broadband type you opt for, you can connect through your device or computer’s internet or network settings, just as you would for home WiFi. Before you do this though, check the following:
- For using data from your phone plan, and for mobile broadband plans used through phones, use our hotspotting guide.
- For home wireless broadband plans, make sure your modem is plugged in, and you have the required password.
- For WiFi available in your accommodation, make sure you check costs, data allowances, and get the required information such as passwords and terms and conditions.
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