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.
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.
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
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.
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.