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.
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.
East Coast Australia backpacking guide: stops, time and budget
Work out how long to spend on the East Coast, which stops to keep and how much to budget. Practical planning for Sydney, K’gari, the Whitsundays and Cairns.
Free things to do in Melbourne: a backpacker day plan
Build a free-admission Melbourne day around your hostel, the weather and how far you want to walk.
Free and cheap things to do in Sydney
Harbour views, free museums, beach days and neighbourhood afternoons without a big attraction bill. Includes two easy day plans and the transport costs to allow for.
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.
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.
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.
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
Choose where to take your first surf lesson, compare advertised prices and find out what to expect in the water. Includes Sydney, Byron Bay and Queensland.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explore Australia through trip ideas, scenic routes, city breaks, and backpacker-friendly experiences. From short escapes to bigger adventures, find inspiration for where to go, what to do, and how to shape your trip.