Cheap car parking is a rare find in the central business district. Whether it's Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, finding an affordable space is like finding that elusive needle in a haystack.

In Melbourne, parking meters cost up to $5.50 an hour and in Sydney, private car parks charge up to $40 an hour. It's no wonder drivers spend so much time circling the streets looking for a good deal.

Daniel Battaglia, who runs Parking Made Easy

For those of us who rely on cars to get to work or the odd city meeting, securing a cheap spot is tricky.

These CBD parking secrets are much cheaper than the average and worth taking note of next time you go to the city.