Where to START travelling in Australia?
Australia truly is one of the most spectacular, beautiful, and diverse countries in the world. With over 10,000 gorgeous beaches, the incredible beauty of the Outback, hundreds of tropical islands, vibrant cities, friendly people, and weird, wonderful creatures, there's no place on Earth quite like it! Backpacking Australia is a 'must do' for travellers around the world, and we guarantee no matter where you start, you will fall in love with this country. In saying this, the most popular way like anything is to start at the top & work your way down OR start at the bottom & work your way up.. OR for people with adventure in their hearts & time up their sleeves, do the full circle!
CITIES
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SYDNEY
Nestled on a beautiful harbour, Sydney is Australia's biggest city, home to iconic sights like the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. You'll find unique neighbourhoods and locales, including the world-famous Bondi Beach and its surrounding stunning coastal walks. If you're more into the party scene, you can catch a varied nightlife from bustling cocktail bars to cozy pubs to rooftop terraces. Sydney is not short of wildlife experiences, wine tasting experiences, national parks, and some of the most stunning beaches in the world. For the outdoor-oriented traveller, the Blue Mountains National Park is located in Katoomba, an brilliant day tour from Sydney. Here you can experience the mountainous region of inland Australia. North of the capital you can find the Hunter Valley wine region, home to the cities of Port Stephens and Newcastle. Highlights of this area are the 1 day wine tours and great surf breaks. |
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MELBOURNE
Located on the southern coast state of Victoria is the modern, multi-cultural city of Melbourne. Whether you are keen to see a sporting event at the MCG Stadium, grab a fancy coffee, or stroll through an exquisite art museum, there is plenty to do in Australia's cultural capital. Every January the city hosts the Australian Open Tennis Tournament, as well as the Formula 1 Racing Australian Grand Prix in March. The city is commonly identified by the iconic Federation Square, a host to beautifully designed buildings including Flinders Street Station. Just a short trolley ride from the city lies Melbourne’s iconic beach suburbs - St. Kilda, home to an adorable penguin colony, and Brighton, home to the colourful beach boxes. It's also especially famous for one of Australia’s most epic road trips, the Great Ocean Road. Most visitors leave from Melbourne, making stops in the coastal cities of Lorne and Apollo Bay. These charming little surf towns offer breathtaking views of the southern coast of Australia. The Great Ocean Road is a highlight of Victoria, with the Twelve Apostles, Gibson’s Steps, and other unique landforms dotted along the route. |
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BRISBANE
In the middle of Australia’s east coast lies Brisbane, the gateway to beautiful Queensland. A bit smaller and more relaxed than Sydney and Melbourne, the city offers stunning scenic hikes in Somerset, Scenic Rim, and Locklayer Valley. The city is home to the famous Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and the iconic Australia Zoo made famous by Steve Irwin. Brisbane also offers a bunch of museums to enjoy in the South Bank area. Just up the road you have Fraser Island, and the at the world class scuba diving location - Wolf Rock. Wolf Rock really is the land of the giants; Grey Nurse Sharks are found throughout the year with other frequent visitors to the Rock including Manta Rays, Leopard Sharks, Eagle Rays, Blotched Fan Tail Rays, Sea Turtles, Olive Sea Snakes, Giant Queensland Grouper and in the winter, the Humpback Whale! A must-do when staying in Brisbane is a day trip to explore Tangalooma Island Resort and the Tangalooma Shipwrecks. An island day pass will allow you at your own leisure with the use of Kayaks, Stand-Up Paddleboards and Snorkel Equipment. This is amazing value which you won't find elsewhere. You can spend the day exploring the crystal clear waters and the Tangalooma Shipwrecks at your own pace with kayak, stand up paddleboard and snorkeling equipment hire all included. As well as the watersports offered, there is an abundance of land activities to keep you busy! From various beach sports to mini golf, basketball and tennis – you won’t be kicking your feet up until you're on the ferry on your way home! |
SMALLER CITIES / TOWNS
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CAIRNS
A great location to start your Australia adventure. Located on the east coast of North Queensland is the city of Cairns. The city has a bunch of activities that are perfect for passionate divers and adrenaline junkies. There's great nightlife and heart-pounding adventures amid a vibrant tropical setting. The world-famous Great Barrier Reef is also located in Cairns, where you can snorkel or scuba dive. Adjacent to the reef is Cape Tribulation in the Daintree Forest, home to some of the oldest sections of rainforest in the world. This is the ADVENTURE Capital of Australia, making it a very popular place to start your Australia Adventures. Many travellers start here, with the Great Barrier Reef, The Daintree Rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands right at your doorstep and activities such as Australia's only Bungee Jump, & White-Water Rafting to be done here - why not stay for a while! |
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PERTH
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. Throughout Perth, nature and urban life exist in harmony. There is plenty to explore, venture off to leafy King's park, and experience Swan Valley's vineyards, Aboriginal art, food, history or just soak up the sun and visit Rottnest Island, famous for the smiling quokkas. Discover laneway bars in multicultural Northbridge or take a dip in the Indian Ocean at Cottesloe Beach. Perth is perfect for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. |
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BYRON BAY
Right on the edge of New South Wales, south of Brisbane, lies Byron Bay. You can’t go on an Aussie adventure without trying your hand at surfing at least once. Hang loose in The Wreck, a beach known for its sick surf break, and named after a shipwreck that you can still check out there. This bohemian coastal town has a lot to offer, from rainforests to incredible food (you’re going to need it after all that surfing!), to a killer sunset at the Byron Bay lighthouse. . Byron Bay offers a little bit of everything, enjoy the company of dolphins surrounding you as you kayak, and even see a whale along the way. Byron Bay is a little explosion of endless activities, from tropical rainforests to bustling nightlife and stunning lookouts that you do not want to miss! It's also home to a few celebrities, keep your eyes out for a Hemsworth. |
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ADELAIDE
If you’re looking to wine and dine, visit South Australia! With its award-winning vineyards and coastal shark dives, this Australian state is sure to wow you. The capital city is Adelaide, home of stunning architecture and history. Just outside of the city lies Waterfall Gully, a great place to hike and experience some of Australia’s most epic waterfalls. Right off the coast of Adelaide is Kangaroo Island, home to protected lands and diverse animal species including sea lions and koalas. For the real thrill-seekers, South Australia is also home to Port Lincoln, the Australian home of shark diving. |
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ALICE SPRINGS
Australia’s Northern Territory is home to the heart of the Outback! Alice Springs is the main hub, home to the Kangaroo Sanctuary, and a starting point for many tours to the Red Centre. With the remoteness of this part of the country, group tours and campsites can be a great authentic experience. Uluru, formally known as Ayers Rock is made of sandstone about half a billion years old. It stands 348 metres high and has a circumference of 9.4 km. Rising dramatically from the Central Australian desert, the huge red rock of Uluru is one of Australia’s most iconic attractions and is a beautiful, sacred site for the Aboriginal tribes that populate the area. Uluru is at its most stunning around sunrise and sunset, when the golden light makes the rock’s colours come alive. |
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DARWIN
Darwin is the multicultural coastal hub of the Northern Territory. It is a place for you to indulge in the Top End's laid-back tropical lifestyle. A must see here is the Mindil Beach Sunset markets and must do is swim with a crocodile at Crocosaurus cove. Darwin is the gateway to Kakadu & Litchfield National Parks. For the time-strapped traveller, one big plus is that the distance from Darwin to Litchfield National Park is only 115kms, or an hour and 20 minutes For travellers with more time and a sense of adventure, then the bigger and more diverse Kakadu National Park may well be the park for you. Wilder and more untouched, most of the fabulous places of Kakadu require a 4WD so you will need to embrace driving off road for much of your Kakadu journey. Your inner intrepid traveller will be captivated by the fact that often you may well be the only person visiting a place and for those wanting to explore the more cultural side of Australia, then access to the ancient rock art galleries of Kakadu is a huge drawcard. The thing about Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks is that they’re just so extraordinary and there’s so very much to see, to wander past, to smell and to dunk yourself in that you could easily soak up a week or more. We highly recommend booking an all-inclusive tour that combines transport, accommodation and meals to both Litchfield and Kakadu to complete the ultimate Australian off-road camper adventure. |