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Cairns, Australia
It may be a city and quite a decent one at that but Cairns is primarily a base
for exploring some of nature’s great wonders. This is the best spot to check out
the Great Barrier Reef, one of our ten once in a lifetime trips with plenty of
scuba-diving options available for you to get close up to the coral. Thrill
seekers will enjoy the opportunity to bungee-jump or sky-dive while the Wet
Tropics Rainforest is another essential visit.
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Great Barrier Reef, Australia
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Cairns, Australia
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Mission Beach, Australia
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Townsville, Australia
Sparsely populated Magnetic Island is reachable from Townsville. It’s good for
jet skiing, bush walks and boozy nights and is Australia’s best destination for
full moon parties. A very popular stop for party-loving independent travellers
or those on an Australia backpacking tour. Things have been a lot quieter here
in recent years due to the pandemic but should liven up in 2023 and beyond as
backpackers return to Australia in larger numbers once more.
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Magnetic Island, Australia
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Townsville, Australia
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Airlie Beach, Australia
Airlie Beach is another of the best places to backpack in Australia with a very
chilled out vibe in the day but also plenty of nightlife options with parties
going on well into the small hours. The Whitsundays are gorgeous and are made up
of 74 stunning islands. Don’t be surprised if you end up spending longer than
you planned here!
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Whitsunday Islands, Australia
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Airlie Beach, Australia
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Agnes Water, Australia
This was the site of the original landing spot of Captain Cook in 1770 which was
effectively year 0 for Australia as we know it today. It’s a nice spot to relax
on the beach and read up on a bit of history at the Agnes Water Museum which
documents the life of Cook and his voyages.
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Hervey Bay, Australia
From late July to early November, Hervey Bay is a fantastic place to spot some
whales. The other main reason to visit is to access Fraser Island and the
southern Great Barrier Reef. Fraser Island is 120 km long and with a mild
year-round climate and lots of beautiful scenery including crystal lakes and
endless beaches, it’s a great place for camping out for a few days. Swimming
isn’t recommended though due to dangerous tides and lots of hungry sharks.
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Rainbow Beach, Australia
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Fraser Island, Australia
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Rainbow Beach, Australia
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Noosa, Australia
Yet more glorious long sandy beaches and nearby national parks make Noosa
another popular stop with backpackers in Australia. Make it to the Glasshouse
Mountains and you will get a terrific panoramic view of the whole Sunshine
Coast.
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Brisbane City, Australia
City lovers rejoice as this is the capital of Australia’s sunshine state and a
good chance to stock up on anything you need at the 700+ stores in the city’s
central shopping mall. It’s a lively city famed for its live music and large
numbers of bars and clubs. With a relaxed riverside location, Australia’s third
largest and fastest growing city generally leaves a positive impression on
visitors and it has been chosen as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games.
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Gold Coast, Australia
Just south of Brisbane is Gold Coast, a city of around 500,000 people based as
the name would suggest on the coast. Surfers Paradise is its touristy hub with
an array of high rise structures, late night venues (some very seedy) and lots
of drunk people. It’s a popular destination with Australian teens celebrating
the end of high school. You’ll either love it or hate it.
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Byron Bay, Australia
A relaxing beach setting and another essential stop for anyone solo backpacking
Australia. Byron Bay is a popular place to learn to surf while you can also
kayak alongside dolphins and even do a bit of skydiving if that’s your thing.
Note that doing lots of these kinds of extra activities will quickly eat into
your budget. Consider allowing a bit more than the suggested figures at the top
of the page if that’s your plan.
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Sydney, Australia
One of the most easily recognisable cities in the world thanks to the iconic
Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Its setting is one of the best of any
major city in the world and a boat trip or water-taxi in and around the Darling
Harbour area is a must.
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Canberra, Australia
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Melbourne, Australia
With a distinctly different vibe from Sydney, Melbourne is less brash and
maintains a European cultural vibe with plenty of quaint remnants of Britain.
Melbourne is viewed by some as the sports capital of the world, with sports mad
residents and major international events such as the Australian Open Tennis and
Formula 1 taking place in the city as well as numerous teams in Australia’s
sports leagues. There are also enough museums, galleries and theatres to
entertain culture vultures while the multicultural population serves up a range
of different cuisines.
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Hobart, Australia
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Strahan, Australia
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Cradle Mountain, Australia
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Launceston, Australia
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Bay of Fires Coastal Walk, Australia
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Coles Bay, Australia
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Port Arthur, Australia
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Hobart, Australia
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Melbourne, Australia
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Perth, Australia
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Fremantle, Australia