Bargains on Bus Passes Down Under : Competition for tourist dollars makes Australia a budget traveler’s dream.

The vastness of Australia can seem overwhelming to travelers planning budget visits.

However, the country has an excellent bus network and a number of economical, unlimited-time bus passes that can help travelers get around, plus hundreds of competitive “backpacker” accommodation services that offer help in finding inexpensive lodging.

Australia has three national bus services. The two largest, Greyhound and Pioneer, are owned by the same company. This works in the traveler’s favor. Under the name of Australian Coachlines, they offer bus passes that can be used for both companies.

For example, the company’s Aussie Explorer Passes are ideal for travelers who are able to travel at a very relaxed pace. Each pass is valid for one-way travel through a specific section, with unlimited stops over a six- or 12-month period.

The passes are sold by travel agents in the United States and Australia, though not always at the same price. Travelers could once be assured of getting a cheaper rate by buying before they left the States, but that’s not necessarily true any more.

The “Aussie Sunseeker” version of the Explorer Pass is valid for travel between Sydney and Cairns over a six-month period. It is sold in the United States for $131. A pass for the same route is sold in Australia by Bus Australia for about $150 U.S.

The Australian Coachlines’ “Outback and Reef Explorer” pass is valid for travel from Sydney to Cairns, over to Darwin and out to Kakadu National Park. Good for six months, it is sold in the United States for $271.

The “All Australia” Explorer Pass, good for a year, is sold in the United States for $808.

Australian Coachlines also offers Aussie Passes, valid for travel in any direction via Pioneer and Greyhound for seven to 120 days. Reservations are not required, but they are recommended during the busy December-through-February period. The Aussie Passes are also sold by travel agents in the United States and Australia.

In the United States, a seven-day Aussie Pass costs $245, a 10-day pass is $313, 15 days is $396, 21 days goes for $540 and a 30-day pass is $736.

The third and smallest company, Bus Australia, sells Kilometre Passes in Australia. Passes cover from 2,000 to 20,000 kilometers (1,242 to 12,427 miles). For example, this summer, a 2,000-kilometer pass cost about $105, a 5,000-kilometer (3,106-mile) pass cost $259 and a 10,000-kilometer (6,213-mile) pass cost $518.

Budget travel is big business in Australia. After traveling the world themselves, many Australians have returned home to start their own small businesses, servicing like-minded adventurers. The result is that Australia has several networks of youth hostels and independent backpacker hostels.

Most of these hostels offer beds in dormitories, plus some single and twin rooms. You can usually get a bed for less than $11 per night. A new bimonthly newspaper called The Aussie Backpacker lists hundreds of hostels. It’s free at tourist offices and at many of the hostels. The June-July edition ran to 75 pages.

Competition can be very aggressive in some key tourist areas. The good side of this is that budget travelers are often offered extra services seldom seen in other areas of the world, such as complimentary transportation from bus, train or plane arrival points.

On the negative side, “touts” (people who are paid to round up guests for hostels) can be annoying. In Airlie Beach, gateway to Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands, I watched one pair physically fight over which one was going to get a tourist’s luggage into his van.

Remember: With hundreds of hostels available, you can afford to be picky and you should be. Some are internationally affiliated and must meet certain standards, others are independent and may be very good . . . or may be substandard. Be sure to check out where you’ll be staying before handing over your money.

Make sure your hostel has proper fire exits. Many died by fire in an independent hostel in Sydney several years ago.

For more information on travel to Australia, contact the Australian Tourist Commission, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1200, Los Angeles 90067, (310) 552-1988.