Coworking Spaces & Libraries: Where To Work When You Need A Desk

Whether you’re working remotely from your caravan, need to handle business calls with proper internet, or just want to escape the confines of your rig for a few hours, finding a decent workspace on the road can be challenging. Here’s your complete guide to working away from your caravan, covering everything from free library options to premium coworking spaces.

Public Libraries

Public libraries are the unsung heroes of remote work for Big Lappers. They’re free, reliable, and available in virtually every Australian town with more than 5,000 people.

What You Get

Most Australian public libraries offer free WiFi with decent speeds (typically 25-50 Mbps), power points, quiet work areas, and printing facilities. Many also provide meeting rooms you can book for video calls. The bigger regional libraries often have dedicated study areas with individual desks and good lighting.

Library hours vary widely. City libraries typically open 9am-5pm weekdays and Saturday mornings, while smaller regional libraries might only open three days a week. Always check opening hours online before making the trip.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Completely free, reliable internet, quiet environment, access to printers and scanners, air conditioning, usually central locations with parking nearby.

Cons: Limited hours (especially weekends), can be busy during school holidays, strict quiet policies mean limited phone calls, basic facilities only.

Best For

Libraries work best for focused computer work, research, writing, and any tasks requiring concentration. They’re perfect for catching up on emails, doing bookkeeping, or handling administrative tasks. Not ideal for phone-heavy work or collaborative projects requiring discussion.

Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces have exploded across Australia, with options now available in most regional centres. They range from basic hot desks to premium facilities with all the bells and whistles.

Types Available

Hot desks are the most common option. You get access to shared workspace, WiFi, power, and basic amenities. Prices typically range from $25-40 per day in regional areas, or $35-55 in capital cities.

Dedicated desks give you a permanent workspace if you’re staying in an area for weeks or months. Expect to pay $200-400 per month depending on location and facilities.

Meeting rooms and phone booths are available for hourly hire, usually $15-30 per hour. Essential if you need privacy for calls or video conferences.

What’s Included

Most coworking spaces provide high-speed internet (50-100 Mbps), unlimited tea and coffee, printing and scanning, air conditioning, and social areas. Premium spaces might include gym access, parking, 24/7 access, and networking events.

Major Chains

WeWork operates in major cities only, with hot desks from $45-65 per day. Premium facilities but limited regional presence.

Regus/Spaces has the widest coverage, including many regional centres. Hot desks from $30-50 per day, with consistent quality across locations.

Independent spaces vary wildly in quality and price. Often cheaper than chains ($20-35 per day) but facilities can be hit-and-miss.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Professional environment, fast internet, networking opportunities, flexible booking, meeting room access, often 24/7 access, business address services.

Cons: Cost adds up quickly, limited availability in smaller towns, can be noisy with open-plan layouts, booking required for popular spaces.

Cafes and Public Venues

Cafes, pubs, and other venues can work for light computer tasks, but they’re not ideal for serious work sessions.

What Works

Look for cafes with dedicated work areas, reliable WiFi, and power points at tables. McDonald’s, Hungry Jack’s, and most major cafe chains offer free WiFi, though speeds vary. Some pubs and RSL clubs provide free WiFi for patrons.

Shopping centre food courts often have free WiFi and power access, though the environment isn’t conducive to focused work. They’re useful for quick email checks or light admin tasks.

Limitations

Cafe WiFi is notoriously unreliable, with speeds often too slow for video calls. Background noise makes phone calls difficult, and you’re expected to keep buying drinks. Most cafes aren’t set up for extended work sessions, with uncomfortable seating and limited table space.

Best For

Light email checking, casual browsing, or social work where interruptions don’t matter. Not suitable for video calls, large file transfers, or focused work requiring concentration.

Mobile Hotspots and Connectivity

Your mobile phone or dedicated hotspot device can provide workspace internet, but data costs add up quickly for heavy users.

Data Costs

Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone all offer unlimited mobile data plans, typically $65-85 per month. However, speeds are throttled after 40-80GB of usage, making them unsuitable for data-heavy work.

Prepaid mobile broadband offers more flexibility. Expect to pay around $3-5 per GB, making it expensive for regular use but acceptable for occasional needs.

Coverage Considerations

Telstra has the best regional coverage, with 4G available in most towns over 1,000 people. Optus and Vodafone coverage drops off significantly outside major centres. Always check coverage maps before relying on mobile data in remote areas.

Which Option Should You Choose?

The best workspace option depends on your work requirements, budget, and location. Here’s how to decide:

Scenario-Based Recommendations

For budget-conscious travellers: Public libraries are your best friend. Free access, reliable internet, and available in most towns. Plan your work schedule around library opening hours.

For business professionals: Coworking spaces justify the cost with professional environments, meeting rooms, and networking opportunities. Essential if you regularly conduct video calls or client meetings.

For remote workers in small towns: Combine library access with mobile hotspot backup. Many smaller towns have limited coworking options but decent libraries.

For occasional users: Cafes and public venues work for light tasks, but always have mobile data as backup. Don’t rely on venue WiFi for important work.

For data-heavy work: Coworking spaces or libraries are essential. Mobile data becomes prohibitively expensive for large file transfers or video conferencing.