Would appreciate views from Australians who have visited Canada, or Canadians who have visited Australia, regarding a comparison of the cost of average restaurant meals in Australia (Sydney, Cairns and Hobart)and Canada.

We have no idea. Thanks.

$1.00 Canadian equals $1.06 Australian. Appears to be fairly even so you should have a marvelous time in Oz.
Enjoy!!!

Hi LN,

You're right about the AU$ and CD$ being almost equal, however, that doesn't mean that what it buys is the same. In other words, I'd like to find out if the cost of meals is about the same in both places or if travellers are finding one or the other is higher.

I would think the cost of eating out in sydney and on the tourist trail is perhaps a little lower than say Toronto.

As in toronto if you get away from the tourist areas and the "highbrow" restaurants and get to the eat streets of newtown and crows nest you can have great meals,meet some locals and save big $

Don't expect to find too many carribean places.

Go to BYO (bring your own) places to save $.Also the tipping rate is lower here than in nth america.

While the C$ and AU$ are about equal, I don't believe there are as many "taxes" (GST,VAT or whatever they're called) applied to Australian purchases.

I'm sure an Australian can better confirm whether this is indeed true.

When we visited Australia in 1996, they didn't seem to have GST, but I think they do now. The BYO restaurants were a good deal, if you like to have wine with your meal. I don't think we have any of those here in Toronto (although there are some in Montreal).

We spent a month travelling in Canada this year and thought the price of meals was fairly comparable to Australian meals. We certainly didn't eat in any expensive restaurants. Bear in mind that in Australia GST is already included in the prices shown in the menu and tipping is not the custom unless you have exceptional service.

Michi,

be advised...no Tim Horton's there!

Melodie
<has Canadian relatives

You won't need Tim Hortons in Australia - believe me! When you see the great bakeries and cake shops and coffee places here, you will realise what Australians miss when travelling in North America.
And yes, we did visit Tim Hortons on a couple of occasions when we were desperate for a coffee.