You can generally get an idea if it’s load bearing by having a look in the roof and seeing if there are trusses etc sitting on it. I would say that at least part of it by looking at the span of the adjoining rooms. That odd room next to the kitchen would have originally been the laundry. It will have plumbing so may be able to be worked into your revamp plans.

With a tight budget minimise wall removal/. You may find the tiles don’t extend under cupboards and won’t be under wall so you have to fix flooring. Cost 20-50k. Kitchen designers will work on layout and cost of kitchen cabinetry. You will need a builder to assess wall a plumbing. This option requires plumbing to be moved but maintains some of wall

Your home is a very common design. Usually from the 1960 to 1980’s. As bigreader said the laundry was where the open room is, with access to back yard. The bedroom out the back, toilet and laundry is an extension. My suggestion is to take advantage of the fact the previous owners moved the laundry. Incorporate this area into your new kitchen. The small walls either side of kitchen/old laundry door may not be load bearing. So remove these. It will be expensive to remove a load bearing wall, so my suggestion is to have a peninsula with a load bearing pillar to save money. The space is small, so an island would really not be beneficial. Replace dining area external window with a sliding door for access to back yard.

Thank you all for your ideas. I love both the layout options.
I think I'm leaning towards dreamer's option but obviously thinking if that might be out of budget. dreamer would you have a rough idea of how much I could expect to spend on all the changes you've said please?

I will also speak to a builder and kitchen designers to see if they can give me a rough idea of closing

costing*

I’m sorry, I’m not going to give a costing. It depends on your specifications, the existing home etc etc. the best thing to do is to get quotes from reputable builders. Lately the talk is $3000 per square metre for a renovation. In your case, it could be more or less….??? So it’s best for the professionals to quote on renovations.

That's fair. Thank you for your help anyway! :) much appreciated

Here's a possible idea that won't need any walls altered --

I assume you know what a Butlers kitchen is ? It can essentially hide any prep and any clean-up . So like everyone else , I'm assuming that weird room ( the old laundry ) still has plumbing . So you could get half your kitchen installed out of sight in there -- a large pantry to the ceiling , at least a sink but maybe the dishwasher too , possibly even the fridge , cupboards for pots and pans , etc .

Your main kitchen can then have a very pared down version of a kitchen . Obviously the oven and cooktops , probably a sink , maybe the dishwasher or a second dishwasher , a bit of bench and some storage and a bin . Basically , the showy bits . Lots of space !

And while you didn't ask , depending on how lives there and ages , I'd aim to adjust that back area ( Bed 4 and the laundry and 2nd WC ) . I'd possibly close off the door between Bed 3 and Bed 4 , but add one from Bed 4 to the WC , but then have a cupboard or even just in a row along one wall , with the washer and dryer in , but add a shower , then nice floor tiles -- basically an en suite / laundry / WC . Probable cost in the $10-15k region ? Just a thought .

Just to clarify with my design. See attached photo. The orange line is solid wall. The peninsula starts from old laundry wall. As you wanted ideas for open plan, this would be worth looking at with a structural pillar at end of peninsula, to save on costs.