Tips for Backpacking Australia

Australia is one of the most backpacker-friendly countries in the world, particularly for its ease of acquiring visas for most countries, ease of transportation through the backpacker trail, and its culture of casual jobs. Their working holiday program is the most popular way for young people to see the country and it’s easy to see why.

It gives travelers the chance to live in the country for a year, working jobs for six months at a time. Some visas are even able to be extended. So if you’re looking to go Down Under yourself, here are my tips for backpacking Australia, which I’ve gathered from over a year of travels there. Here’s everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask! If you have any additional questions, leave them in the comments.

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Hostels in Australia

The cost of traveling in Australia is quite high when compared with other countries, so the best way to cut down on costs is to stay at hostels, where you can also cook many meals. I’ve covered the best and worst of Australian hostels before, which you can read for further details on each, but here’s a quick run down of my favorite hostels in the most popular spots on Australia’s backpacker trail and why I mentioned them.

Sydney: Sydney Central YHA

Sydney Central YHA is just one of many well-run YHA brand hostels in Sydney worth staying in, but I loved this one because it’s close to everything. Within a few minutes on the free CBD bus you’re in Circular Quay or you can hop on a train from Central Station, as I did, and be in the Blue Mountains in 2 hours. I stayed in a nice twin room, but their dorms are nice as well. It’s the best place to start your journey in Sydney if you’re just arriving.

Melbourne: Space Hotel

Melbourne has lots of hostels, but they’re spread out all over town, as there isn’t one “backpacker district” like Sydney’s King’s Cross. But Space Hotel is located right across the street from the Old Gaol and is walkable to Brunswick, Lygon Street and the CBD.

While I also stayed at Base in St. Kilda on a previous trip, I found it tedious to be constantly taking the tram into the city when I wanted to see the sights. Space has the amenities of a hotel but the price of a hostel.

Adelaide: Backpack Oz and Guesthouse

I stayed at Backpack Oz on my second trip to Adelaide and was impressed at how the hostel could both keep the atmosphere of a smaller budget place while offering amenities like bike rentals, free WiFi, an in-house bar and a great location at Victoria Square.

Alice Springs: Haven Backpacker Resort

I didn’t care for the way I was treated by staff during my trip to Alice Springs or the long walk to the CBD, but Haven does have the benefits of a good hostel like comfortable beds and free airport pickup. They also start serving free breakfast early, as many guests are only there for a night or two before they leave for Uluru tours.

Darwin: Dingo Moon Lodge

Darwin is a completely different type of city than the rest of Australia, so it’s much more relaxed when it comes to hostels. You won’t find the same amenities and many of the hostels are home to long term guests and become party havens.

While Dingo Moon Lodge has plenty of party vibes, it is fairly relaxed and guests get to know each other better since it’s smaller. And the free breakfast and laundry are an added benefit for those going or coming from a tour of the national parks.

Brisbane: Banana Benders Backpackers

After arriving in Brisbane without anywhere to stay, I was in a panic trying to find a bed, but the unassuming Banana Benders turned out to be one of my favorites of the trip. It was so laid back that I spent a week there looking out over the valley on their deck. It was within walking distance of the train and bus station as well as the grocery store.

Byron Bay: Arts Factory Lodge

If you’re going to be a hippie in Byron Bay, you might as well do it right by staying in tents or some of the other wacky accommodations at Arts Factory Lodge, set in the forest behind the main drag. The hostel of sorts offers reiki massage, digeridoo lessons, bush walks and more, should you be so inclined. They also run shuttles from the bus stop and into town every night.

Surfers Paradise: Gold Coast Backpackers

I stayed at Aquarius Backpackers in Southport during my trip, which was nice enough, but there are others closer to the action of the nightlife and theme parks. Most hostels have the same features and ratings, but I’ve heard good things about Gold Coast Backpackers, which has a maximum of four beds in a dorm, making for a better nights sleep when you finally come home from the club.

Cairns: Traveller’s Oasis

My time in Cairns was mostly spent using at as a base for further adventures, including a two day trip to Cape Tribulation and a three day diving trip, but I wouldn’t recommend the hostel I booked. Depending on what you’re doing, look for hostels that are either close to the city or offer reliable transportation to get there. I heard Traveller’s Oasis is nice for its short walk into town and quieter vibe.

Canberra: Canberra YHA

You don’t have many choices for hostels in the nation’s capital, but Canberra YHA is nice enough, if not a bit drab. It’s not within walking distance of most of the sights, as I painfully found out, but the cost is reasonable for a dorm bed and it includes air conditioning. Use it as your base to explore, but be prepared to take a bus or rent a bike to do so.

Tours and Getting Around Australia

Much of the backpacker trail subsists on tour packages that you can book ahead of time. Not every part of the country requires a tour, but they are a great way to get to know fellow travelers while also cutting down on transportation costs.

Greyhound buses run nearly everywhere and you can get a hop on hop off pass, but they don’t tell you about the area you’re visiting. The same goes for renting a camper van or taking the famous trains. Here are my picks for best tour companies in Australia.

Groovy Grape Getaways

Specializing in tours of Great Ocean Road, Uluru and Kangaroo Island, I greatly enjoyed the Groovy Grape Getaways Rock 2 Water tour, which goes from Alice Springs to Adelaide. The price was right for a backpacker tour and it included everything you needed, namely park entrance, a guide and food. They have tours that vary in length, but most go through South Australia.

Wayoutback Australian Safaris

I hadn’t heard of Wayoutback until I started researching tour companies in Kakadu and Litchfield, but I wish I had heard about them sooner. They had the best price for a three day trip to the parks during the Wet Season and run tours through the Top End, Uluru, the East Coast and Tasmania. The guides were knowledgable, we stayed at decent campsites, the food was good and everything was included.

Nullarbor Traveller

While I never made it to Western Australia, my friend Christine loved her trip with Nullarbor Traveller, who runs tours between South Australia and Western Australia through one of the most desolate highways in the world. If you’re not keen on renting a car and potentially running out of gas or, worse, water, then this tour may be best for you.

Scooteroo

I heard nothing but praises about this Scooteroo, a tour company that operates motorcycle tours out of Agnes Water, a small town in northern Queensland. It costs a bit more than other excursions on the East Coast, but is still one of my favorite experiences. You get decked out in helmets and leather jackets and hop on 150 cc motorbikes to ride through the countryside, spotting kangaroos and stopping for wedges at sunset.

Travel Agencies

Some people book most of their activities for their entire trip to Australia before leaving home, but it’s unnecessary. There are travel agencies on every corner in the bigger cities, including Wicked, Travel Bugs, Peterpans and Flight Centre, so you have plenty of expertise out there in choosing your activities.

But it doesn’t hurt to do your own research. Many of the agencies will book every backpacker on the same excursions without really asking what kind of trip you’re looking for. There are many more boats you can sail the Whitsundays with than New Horizon, the Atlantic Clipper and Tongarra, so find what suits you best.

They will also try to book you onto extra tours like kayaking in Noosa or visiting Cape Tribulation, but don’t be afraid to say no if you’re not interested.

Free WiFi and Internet

Most hostels offer WiFi and computers for use, but for a fee, particularly through the Global Gossip system, which gives you a username and password and typically only works for once device unless you constantly log on and off.

But if you’re not keen on paying for WiFi, all of the aforementioned backpacker travel agencies offer computers with Internet for travelers. You can also find it at public libraries, visitors centers, malls, airports, cafes like Gloria Jeans and Starbucks and in Melbourne’s Federation Square.

The Rest

I wouldn’t attempt to see any part of Australia for less than two weeks, as it takes a lot to get from one city to the next. A year is ideal, but obviously not for everyone. And since the cost of traveling here is so high, I would save at least the recommended amount for the working holiday scheme and add another $2,000 AUD as a buffer.

You’d be surprised how fast the money goes. When you’re deciding what to pack, I recommend leaving a tent and sleeping bag behind unless you plan on camping as soon as you arrive. Nearly everything can be rented by camper van companies. Bring a few warmer pieces, even if it’s summertime, as the weather is unpredictable in Melbourne and at night in the Outback.

Any questions?