Apps That Have Saved Us Time and Money in NSW

NSW is packed with things to do, but without the right apps, you might end up spending more time (and money) than you need to. These are the ones we’ve relied on since our early days in Sydney, and they’ve made everyday travel, dining, and planning way easier.

Here are seven of our favourite apps to have on hand while exploring NSW. For even more tools like these, check out this full list on our website.

1. First Table

First Table is one of the smartest ways to save money when dining out. You can get 50% off your meal for a group of 2 to 4 people by paying a small $10 booking fee. We've used it across Sydney for everything from brunches to date-night dinners, and it’s been totally worth it. Think of it as eating double without spending double.

Use this link and code “HATEXPLORES” for $5 off your booking fee!

1. FuelCheck

   FuelCheck helps you find the cheapest fuel near you in NSW and the ACT. It’s a government-run app with real-time data on prices at service stations. You can search by location, fuel type, and even set alerts for when prices drop in your area. It pulls data from every registered petrol station, so you’re getting accurate prices, updated regularly. Just keep in mind it won’t work offline in remote areas.

(P.S., you can find similar apps for any state as well!)

1. AllTrails

AllTrails helps you discover walking, hiking, and biking trails nearby. You’ll find route maps, distance, elevation, estimated time, user reviews, and difficulty ratings. The free version works great with the internet, and the paid version allows you to download trails for offline use, which we’ve found useful in national parks and coastal tracks where the signal is patchy.

4. Shopback

ShopBack gives you cashback on everyday purchases at over 4,000 retailers—including booking sites like Agoda and Booking.com. We’ve saved over $200 through ShopBack just by activating it before making travel and shopping purchases. It’s free to use and genuinely adds up fast.

Use this link for a $10 bonus on your first online purchase.

1. Agoda

Agoda consistently lists some of the lowest accommodation rates we’ve seen. It’s great for comparing stays and finding last-minute deals. We especially like the detailed filters, honest reviews, and map-based search.

1. GetyourGuide.com

When it comes to experiences and activities, GetYourGuide is super handy. You’ll find walking tours, boat rides, wine tastings, and more! Most activities come with free cancellation up to 24 hours before, and many let you reserve now and pay later. We’ve booked heaps of our NSW experiences through this app—it’s easy to browse and comes with all the need-to-know details.

1. UP

Up is a digital bank that’s great for managing money while travelling. We’ve used the Up card in Japan and across NSW without any hidden charges. You can also track spending by category, set savings goals, and split bills easily through the app.

Use this link and get $14 when you sign up