Our latest Backpacker guides, tips & tricks
Keep up-to-date with our latest backpacker guides, full of valuable insights, expert advice, and exclusive insider knowledge.
Working Holiday Visa Australia: eligibility, costs and how to apply
Planning a working holiday in Australia? Here’s what to know about visa types, eligibility, costs, documents, and how second and third-year visas work.
6 epic backpacker camping and hiking trips in Australia
From the Great Ocean Road to the Red Centre, these backpacker camping and hiking trips show off some of Australia’s best coast, bush and alpine scenery.
Ultimate backpackers guide to East Coast Australia
Planning an East Coast trip? Here’s where to go, how to get around, what it costs, and how long to allow for a backpacking route.
Best time to visit Australia as a backpacker
Planning an Australia backpacking trip? Here’s the best time to visit each region, plus seasonal weather, where to go, what to do and how to travel smarter
Backpackers guide to Great Keppel Island
A practical backpacker guide to Great Keppel Island, covering beaches, snorkelling, walks, ferry access from Rosslyn Bay and where to base yourself. Use it to decide whether this quieter Southern Great Barrier Reef stop fits your Queensland route.
How to find backpacker jobs in Australia
A practical guide to finding backpacker jobs in Australia, from common casual roles to where to search and what to prepare. Includes cautious tips on visas, tax, workplace rights and avoiding bad job offers.
How to get a TFN in Australia as a backpacker
New to Australia and getting ready for your first paid job? This guide explains TFN basics, the application process, what to do while waiting, and how to avoid common admin mistakes.
Where to stay in Cairns for backpackers
Choosing where to stay in Cairns is mostly about reef access, nightlife, quiet nights and transport. This guide compares the CBD, Esplanade and nearby areas for backpackers without ranking hostels or inventing prices.
Where to stay in Melbourne for backpackers
Choosing where to stay in Melbourne changes how you experience the city. This guide compares the CBD, inner north and St Kilda for backpackers without ranking individual hostels.
Your workplace rights as a backpacker in Australia
Starting work on a working holiday? This guide covers Fair Work basics, payslips, underpayment warning signs, and how to get help without relying on hostel rumours.
Whitsundays sailing tours from Airlie Beach
A decision guide to Whitsundays sailing trips from Airlie Beach: day trip versus two or three days on board, how the boat styles differ, what living on a bunk is actually like, and the questions worth asking before you hand over a deposit.
How to get a White Card in Australia
General information for backpackers on construction induction White Cards in Australia: what the card is, who tends to be asked for one, how registered training works, and why you should always check the rules for the state or territory where you will actually work.
Whale watching in Australia: when and where
Approximate whale-watching seasons region by region across Australia, from Sydney's headlands to the Ningaloo coast, with free land-based viewing compared against paid boat trips. Sightings are never guaranteed and there is no single national season.
Superannuation in Australia for working holiday makers
How employer superannuation tends to work for working holiday makers: what super is, when an employer may need to pay it, how to keep your fund details straight, and what the ATO says about claiming it after you leave Australia.
Skydiving in Australia: costs and locations
A tandem skydive is one of the biggest single splurges on a backpacking budget, so it is worth choosing the jump deliberately. This guide compares beach, reef, city and inland jump types, explains what changes with altitude and media packages, and sets out what to confirm with the operator before you pay.
Best SIM cards and eSIMs for Australia
A neutral comparison of physical SIMs, Australian eSIMs and travel eSIMs for backpackers arriving in Australia, with setup checks, coverage caveats and prepaid plan trade-offs.
How to get an RSA certificate in Australia
Responsible Service of Alcohol training is one of the most common requests attached to Australian hospitality jobs. This guide explains what the training generally covers, why venues ask for it, and why you must check the rules for the state or territory where you will actually be working before you pay for a course.
Phillip Island penguin tours from Melbourne
The Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach follows sunset, so the whole day has to be planned around a time that shifts through the year. This guide compares organised day tours with self-driving, explains the viewing options in general terms, and covers what else is worth doing on Phillip Island before the light goes.
Learn to surf in Australia: spots and costs
Australia is one of the easiest places in the world to try surfing for the first time. This guide compares single lessons, multi-lesson packages, surf camps and board hire, runs through the regions where beginner lessons are easy to find, and covers the beach-safety basics that matter far more than your gear.
K'gari (Fraser Island) tours and day trips
A practical comparison of tag-along self-drive 4WD trips, guided tours, day trips and independent hire for visiting K'gari, plus the tide-dependent beach driving, permits, wongari safety and water safety advice that shapes every trip.
How much money do you need to backpack Australia?
Approximate weekly cost ranges for backpacking Australia as of mid-2026, split into short savings-funded trips and longer working holidays, with cost categories, buffer advice and ways to travel more cheaply.
Great Ocean Road tours from Melbourne
Compares one-day tours, overnight trips, hire cars and campervans for the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne, with the main Shipwreck Coast stops, koala-spotting areas and how long the day really runs.
Great Barrier Reef tours from Cairns
A comparison of the main Great Barrier Reef trip types you can book from Cairns, so you can match the boat to your budget, your sea legs and whether you actually want to dive.
Daintree and Cape Tribulation tours from Cairns
A practical comparison of guided Daintree and Cape Tribulation tours versus self-driving from Cairns, covering the river ferry, Mossman Gorge, water safety, the unsealed roads beyond Cape Trib and whether to stay a night.
Blue Mountains day trips from Sydney
Compare the train, an organised bus tour and a hire car for a Blue Mountains day trip from Sydney, then work out which lookouts and beginner-friendly walks realistically fit into one day.
Best places to start a working holiday in Australia
Where you start your Australian working holiday shapes your job options, costs and route. Compare sensible city and regional bases by season, work goals and budget.
How to lodge an Australian tax return as a backpacker
How lodging an Australian tax return usually works for backpackers and working holiday makers: the records worth keeping, how income statements fit in, the myGov and ATO pathway, and when a registered tax agent is worth paying for.
How to write an Australian resume for backpacker jobs
Learn how to write a short Australian-style resume for backpacker and working holiday jobs. Includes what to add, what to leave out, how to explain overseas experience, and checks before you send it.
Australia backpacker transport guide: buses, trains, car hire and flights
A practical comparison of long-distance coaches, rail, domestic flights, car hire and campervans for backpacking Australia. Work out which mode suits each leg of your route, what to watch out for, and which details to confirm with the operator before you book.
Rottnest Island day trip for backpackers: ferry, bikes and budget
A practical Rottnest Island day trip planner for backpackers without a car. Compare terminals, independent travel, bikes, buses, tours, beach stops, costs and respectful wildlife behaviour.
What to pack for backpacking Australia
A practical packing guide for backpacking Australia, covering clothing, footwear, weather gear, toiletries, electronics, documents and optional extras. Use it to pack lighter without turning your bag into an arrival-admin checklist.
Where to stay in Sydney for backpackers
Choosing where to stay in Sydney shapes your transport time, beach access, nightlife and budget. This guide compares practical backpacker bases without ranking individual hostels.
Best things to do on the Mornington Peninsula for backpackers
A practical backpacker guide to the Mornington Peninsula, covering beaches, coastal walks, towns, food stops, hot springs and an optional golf day. Use it to plan a realistic day trip from Melbourne or a relaxed overnight escape.
Best museums and galleries in Melbourne for backpackers
A practical backpacker guide to Melbourne’s best museums and galleries, with free and low-cost cultural stops, rainy-day ideas and easy central routes. Includes where venues cluster, where to stay nearby and what to check before you go.
Backpackers guide to becoming an au pair in Australia
Thinking about au pair work in Australia as a backpacker? Here is what to check before you agree to a host family, including duties, accommodation, pay, visa conditions and boundaries.
Backpacker accommodation guide to Australia
Compare the main backpacker accommodation options in Australia, from hostels and motels to camping, caravan parks, farm stays and longer-stay alternatives. Use this guide to weigh budget, privacy, location, facilities and flexibility before you book.
Best walks in Sydney for backpackers
A practical backpacker guide to the best walks in Sydney, covering coastal routes, harbour paths, public transport access and low-cost planning tips. Compare the walks by time, difficulty and scenery before choosing your Sydney day out.
Opening a bank account in Australia as a backpacker
A practical comparison of bank account options for backpackers in Australia, including local accounts, app-based accounts, travel cards and temporary home-bank use. Learn what to prepare, what fees to check and how to set yourself up for getting paid.
88 days farm work guide for backpackers
A practical guide for backpackers planning specified regional work for a second-year Working Holiday visa. Learn what to verify before accepting a job and how to keep records from day one.