Heading to Australia soon? Then, unless your home network provider offers data access in Australia, you will want to look into eSIMs. Whether you’re figuring out public transport, organising check-in with your Airbnb host, uploading beach shots from Bondi, or squeezing in a bit of work between adventures, staying connected is important.
But knowing which eSIM to pick can be tough. You’ll want one that offers solid coverage across the main tourist destinations, generous data allowances, and an easy setup that doesn’t have you fiddling with tech when you should be enjoying your flat white.
After testing a fair few options, I’ve found that Sim Local ticks all the right boxes for Australia. It’s affordable, reliable, and comes with unlimited data (with 10GB of high-speed data each day), which is perfect when you’re on the move and don’t want to worry about running out of internet.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through why I recommend Sim Local’s eSIM for Australia! Use code VEGANAUSTRALIA to get 10% off your Australia eSIM 
Thank you to Sim Local for sponsoring this post and for helping me stay connected during my travels, so I can post more useful content like this!
Discover more eSIMs: The best eSIMs for all locations here
What to look for in an Australian eSIM?
Australia has a bit of everything: world-class cities, stunning coastlines, and beautiful landscapes. Whether you’re heading to a coffee shop in Melbourne, wandering around the streets of Sydney, or road-tripping through the Outback*, staying connected can make all the difference.
An Australian eSIM helps you do just that, with instant access to maps, travel tips, bookings, and all the little things that make travel smoother. Plus, the ability to stay connected with friends and family back home, and access to your favourite TV shows whilst relaxing in your hotel room in the evenings.
To get the most out of it, you’ll want an eSIM with wide coverage and enough data to keep up with your plans. I always prefer an unlimited data option – it’s one less thing to worry about, especially when you’re streaming, uploading, or navigating long stretches of road with no Wi-Fi in sight.
Sim Local ticks all those boxes. Read on to find out why it is a great option for your travels in Australia.
*Keep in mind that most local networks (which Sim Local utilise) can get patchy in super remote areas.
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Why choose Sim Local for Australia?
There are many reasons to pick Sim Local as your eSIM provider whilst travelling in Australia. With a variety of data plans on offer that utilise the best local network providers, and with access to 5G, you will enjoy great connection throughout the country.
But that’s not it, there is a lot to love about Sim Local’s Australia eSIM plans. Here are my top reasons for picking them:
High-speed unlimited data
A lot of eSIM companies offer unlimited data plans, but due to fair usage policies, they will throttle the speeds after just a few GB of daily use. This can be frustrating if you want to use the data to stream TV shows or to take online work meetings.
Holafly tends to throttle after just 2GB of use, whilst Sim Local offers up to 10GB of high-speed data each day. Which is a sizeable chunk of data that I have never gone over, despite working online and watching Netflix using the hotspot, and using my phone for Google Maps and WhatsApp each day.
It is the best unlimited data offer that I have found from any eSIM company! So you can travel across Australia knowing that you will get plenty of high-speed data each day.
Unlimited hotspot usage
If you are travelling with other people or planning on using other devices (like your laptop or tablet for streaming Netflix) during your travels in Australia, then you’ll enjoy the unlimited hotspot usage offered by Sim Local’s eSIMs.
This means that each day, you can tether to the eSIM data using your tablet, laptop, or other phones, so that the data can be accessed elsewhere.
The more devices using the network will mean that you use up more of the daily high-speed quota, but at 10GB each day, there is plenty to go around!
Great nationwide coverage
Sim Local utilise a variety of local network providers to ensure you get a great connection across the country, including the major cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Their Smartroam eSIM (which includes unlimited and limited data plans) utilises three different networks, including Vodafone.
They also sell a few other data plans for Australia that utilise the Three network (which includes data roaming across 70+ destinations) and the Orange network (which covers the whole of Oceania).
Please note that the signal may get patchy in more remote areas across Australia. But this will depend on the service of the local network providers.
Option for calls and texts
One of the data plans for Australia includes calls and texts on top of the data. This particular plan uses the Orange network and includes coverage across 10 countries in Oceania. It only costs $32 (USD) for 20GB across 30 days, plus 15 international minutes and 50 text messages.
It can be particularly useful to have this option for calls and texts if you need to call someone’s mobile number directly, rather than using internet calls through apps like WhatsApp, whilst travelling in Australia.
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Comparison: Sim Local vs Holafly in Australia
With many eSIM companies out there, it can be hard to know which one to pick. When it comes to unlimited data offerings, a close competitor of Sim Local is Holafly. Their main offering is unlimited data, but it gets throttled (loses speed) very quickly each day, unlike Sim Local.
Moreover, you can get more hotspot data from Sim Local as well as slightly cheaper plans. Here is a direct comparison between the two providers for their Australia eSIM offers:
| Feature | Sim Local | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited data | 10GB of high-speed, then slower speeds | Up to 2GB of high-speed |
| Hotspot | From 3GB to 15GB, depending on plan length | Up to 500MB per day |
| Plan duration | 7 to 30 days | 1 to 90 days |
| Price for 15 days (unlimited) | $49.25 (USD) | $50.90 (USD) |
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Who would benefit from Sim Local?
Whether you are visiting Australia for a short holiday, as a digital nomad, or for longer-term stays, you will benefit from the Sim Local eSIM. They offer a variety of durations, from 7 to 30 days (which can be topped up/extended when needed), with 3GB to unlimited data options. You can also opt for their 20GB Oceania eSIM, which includes calls and texts and works across the whole continent.
Their unlimited data plans offer up to 10GB of high-speed data each day, which is perfect for holiday-makers who want to keep up to date on their favourite TV shows, or for remote workers looking to do video calls and intensive work whilst travelling in Australia.
Their limited plans also offer a cheaper alternative for anyone looking for light data usage to help them navigate around Australia and keep their friends and family updated over WhatsApp.
How to get started
Getting started with your Sim Local eSIM is simple. Browse the data plans for each destination on their website. You will find a mixture of local, regional, and global plans, some with calls and texts included.
Choose the data plan with the amount of data and for the length of time that works for your time abroad. Upon purchase, you will be sent instructions on how to install the eSIM onto your phone. Before purchasing any eSIM, make sure to check if your phone is compatible with eSIMs. Use Sim Local’s handy guide here
You can keep an eye on your eSIM in their phone app. You can also purchase your eSIM directly through the app.
My verdict
I enjoy the peace of mind that Sim Local’s Australia eSIM gives me. With unlimited data options and 10GB of high-speed data each day, I know I can always stay connected. This means I am able to navigate my way around new places across Australia, stay in contact with friends and family, and also get plenty of work done, without worrying about my data ever running out.
The coverage is great, and the speeds are perfect for streaming, video calls, and of course, the simpler tasks of using maps and messaging tools.
I like the variety of data plans they have on offer, with the option to get calls and texts included. But personally, my favourite is their Smartroam unlimited plan.
Whether you need it for light usage or will need regular internet access throughout your time in Australia, you will benefit from using Sim Local!
Find out why I also pick Sim Local when travelling in Japan!
Get 10% off your Australia eSIM using code: VEGANAUSTRALIA
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