Singapore Dollar Stronger Than Australia Dollar, So Here’s What You Should Spend Money On
If you are still up for a holiday trip, you might want to consider Australia as a holiday destination.
Now that the exchange rate has dropped, the Singapore dollar is far stronger, which means you can walk around Australia feeling a little bit richer.
Considering that flights are now at an affordable price, this might be the optimal chance for you to experience Australia at a cheaper price tag.
Hence, we arranged a list of things you can do, sorted according to Australian cities popular among Singaporeans.
Sydney
Explore markets selling fresh foods & vintage apparel
Tucked away in the corners of Sydney’s bustling streets are peaceful farmers’ markets that look like the backdrop of rom-com movies.
If you love a good thrifting experience, you might want to head down to Glebe Markets in Sydney, housed in an Australian public school.
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Exploit the conversion rate and source for some vintage apparel or repurposed clothing at the market. You might be able to find pieces at great steals.
Glebe Market
Address: Glebe Point Rd &, Derby Pl, Glebe NSW 2037, Australia
Opening hours: 10am-4pm on Saturdays
Website: https://www.glebemarkets.com.au/
If you are an avid food-lover, you can explore a different genre of markets that offer a wide variety of food options.
One such location is Orange Grove Organic Food Markets, where you can find many hearty snacks to munch on.
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While Sydney’s meals are known to be on the pricey side, the new conversion rates might be able to help you relieve some stress on your wallet.
Orange Grove Organic Food Markets (14 Mar-27 Jun)
Address: 45H5+6Q Lilyfield, New South Wales, Australia
Opening hours: 8am-1pm on Saturdays
Visit an old-school arcade with laser tags & a bowling alley
Most Singapore arcades are located in malls and feature typical machine games.
The Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq challenges the idea of an arcade, integrating bowling allies and carnival rides.
Arcade games range from S$1.80 (A$2) to S$4.55 (A$5), which is way cheaper than even your favourite bubble tea.
The interior takes on a retro theme with circus elements, making it look like an Uncle Ringo fair and a standard arcade combined.
That being said, they do of course have a bumper car ride within the facility. Even better, each ride only costs around S$5.45.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq also has a laser tag arena, perfect for groups of friends seeking an adrenaline rush.
It costs roughly S$11 per game, much cheaper than local laser tags.
This unique arcade is located only 20 minutes away from Sydney, so do take a night out to experience the activities they have to offer.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
Address: 55 Doody Street, Alexandria, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon – Thur: 12pm – 11pm, Fri: 12pm-12pm, Sat: 10am – 12am, Sun: 10am – 10pm
Watch a film at a drive-in cinema
For non-thrill seekers who prefer a quieter nightlife, drive to Skyline Drive-in for a movie under the stars.
Ticket prices start from S$11.40 (A$12.50) for a car with 1 passenger, and can go up to a combo for a car carrying 6 people.
That’s roughly how much you pay for a regular cinema ticket in Singapore anyway, so why not pay the same price for a refreshing experience?
The audio for will play via a local radio station, so make sure to turn up the car’s speakers. Sit back, relax and enjoy the film from your car seats.
Since Singapore no longer offers such a cinematic experience, this is the optimal opportunity to explore what watching movies was like in the past.
Skyline Drive-In
Address: Cricketers Arms Rd, Blacktown NSW 2148, Australia
Website: https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/cinema/drive-in-blacktown#G+
Melbourne
Soak in natural hot springs with a view
Japanese onsens and ryokans are popular among Singaporeans and have introduced us to the concept of communal bathing.
Many might not know that Australia has their very own natural hot spring, located an hour away from Melbourne.
Peninsula Hot Springs has an array of facilities that ranges from a family-friendly bathhouse to a spa centre and even an ice cave.
At rates as low as S$31, you can enjoy a communal bath experience with a stunning view.
Peninsula Hot Springs
Address: 140 Springs lane, Fingal 3939
Opening hours: Differs according to facilities
Website: https://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/
Unleash your inner Potterhead in Melbourne’s Princess Theatre
If you are a fan of musicals, you do not need to travel all the way to West End to catch your favourite shows.
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Melbourne has a good selection of musicals to choose from and you might be pleasantly surprised that some big broadway shows are performing in this Australian city.
In fact, Potterheads are in luck. Harry Potter and The Cursed Child is playing in Melbourne’s Princess Theatre until July 2020.
It is one of the 7 locations the acclaimed musical is playing at, apart from legendary broadway venues like London and New York.
Purchase tickets for the 2-part show at only S$58.80 per part and prepare to be whisked away into the magic of the wizarding world.
You can find out more here.
Perth
Make friends with koalas & wombats at Caversham Wildlife Park
Nobody can resist a cute koala bear or wombat.
With images of severely injured wild koalas circulating on social media following the Australia Bush Fires, all of us just want to show some love to these animals.
Caversham Wildlife Park offers us an opportunity to get up close and personal with them.
They organise ‘Meet the Koalas’ and ‘Meet the Wombat & Friends’ sessions that take place in intervals throughout the day.
Furthermore, you can even feed roaming kangaroos and wallabies within the enclosure.
Tickets cost S$27.15 for adults and S$12.67 for children.
Caversham Wildlife Park
Address: 233B Drumpellier Dr, Whiteman WA 6068, Australia
Opening hours:
Website: https://www.cavershamwildlife.com.au/
Underground maze of tunnels in the Fremantle Prison Tour
Adventure-seeking Singaporeans can sign up for a tour around an underground prison.
Descend via ladders into the 20-metre deep tunnels built by ex-inmates, through a journey by foot and boat.
This tour requires you to move within narrow space in overalls and helmets so that you can get a first-hand experience of the tunnel’s dark history.
For roughly S$68, you can explore 3 massive prisons that look like they’re right out of a Hollywood action movie.
They only accept bookings, so do pre-order your tickets and read the disclaimers before doing so.
Fremantle Prison
Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Opening Hours: Mon-Tues, Sat-Sun, Thurs: 9am-5pm, Wed & Fri: 9am-9pm
Website: http://fremantleprison.com.au/tours/tour-prices/
Seize this golden opportunity to travel Down Under
Apart from the retro arcades and hair-standing tours in prison tunnels, Australia also has an unrivalled cafe scene and scenic nature spots. The list is endless.
Make sure to seize the opportunity to explore the country while prices are cheaper. You’ll never know when the rates will change again.
Featured image adapted from Tot Hot Or Not and Expedia.
