Backpacker essentials

Accommodation

When it comes to finding budget accommodation, Australia has plenty of options. There are hostels in every major city and tourist centre, offering single-sex and mixed dorms along with some private dorms for couples. Hostels not only provide affordable rooms but also often host social activities like barbecues and outdoor bars. Sydney Harbour YHA even boasts a rooftop terrace with incredible views of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

With Australia’s clear skies and wide-open spaces, camping is one type of accommodation that’s as affordable as it is beautiful. They can pitch a tent in our national parks or camping grounds for a night under the stars. 

Some country pubs offer accommodation above the bar, with rooms ranging from rustic to romantic. Motels often provide great value, while renting on home sharing apps like Airbnb can be ideal for larger groups.  

They can also deepen their Aussie experience with a stay on a farm or outback station. Often in regional areas, farms are ideal for getting to know Australia’s lesser-known locations, exploring natural landscapes, and meeting other young travellers. If visiting Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, they may be eligible to extend their visa for another 12 months if they've undertaken 88 days of specified work within regional Australia. This includes plant and animal cultivation, fishing, tree farming and mining. For more information visit the Department of Home Affairs website. 

Getting around

Australia is a vast country with landscapes ranging from rugged and mountainous to cool and coastal – with many easy ways to get around. If they want to travel large distances in a short amount of time, book a flight for them with one of Australia’s domestic airlines, like Jetstar and Tigerair, which service all major cities and most regional centres. For those with more time to explore, organise a hire car or campervan to soak up the scenery on one of our unforgettable road trips. They could find themselves weaving through ancient gorges or cruising alongside grazing kangaroos.

Public coaches, such as Greyhound, offer flexible, affordable passes you can pre-book and allow them to jump off and on between cities. To travel on the public transport network within capital cities, they may need a pre-loaded card, like the Myki card in Melbourne and the Opal card in Sydney, which can be purchased at transport customer service centres and convenience stores.

Obeying the road rules

If they're gearing up for a road trip, ensure they know the rules before they go. Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right-hand side of the car. In cities and towns the speed limit is between 50 kilometres and 60 kilometres per hour (about 30 to 40 miles per hour), and on country roads and highways, the maximum speed is usually 110 kilometres per hour (68 miles per hour).

In most states and territories (the exception is the Northern Territory) visitors can drive on an overseas license as long as it is current. They should always research the laws for each state before driving with an overseas license. An international visitor may also drive in Australia on an international driver’s licence for the same class of vehicle. They should carry both their home licence and international licence when driving. Motorcyclists and cyclists in Australia must wear helmets.

For their safety, drink-driving laws apply, and drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts. The maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.05 for holders of a full licence. Anyone holding a learner or probationary licence has a zero alcohol limit.

Seeing the sights

In Australia, there are countless tour companies catering to young, adventure-seeking travellers, especially in destinations such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef. If they have limited time or are travelling alone, small group tours can be a convenient, cost-effective way to see the sights and meet other travellers. Alternatively, you may prefer to book a hop on-hop off bus, which allows them to move around a city without the restrictions of an organised tour. Some companies even provide discounts for student and hostel travellers.

If the open road is calling their name, it's possible to explore Australia's sights on their own from embarking on a Great Ocean Road trip to see icons like the 12 Apostles, or exploring the ancient landscapes of central Australia via the Red Centre Way.

Eating like a local

Australia is renowned for its fresh, local produce, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it without breaking the bank. Farmers’ markets are held in all the capital cities, where they can sample everything from lemon myrtle ice cream to artisan cheeses and tropical fruits. Food halls are abundant in our major cities, and they feature all sorts of multicultural dishes. They'll find a range of affordable – yet delectable – dishes at cheap eats venues across the country. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, and Canberra all offer up burgers, curries, seafood and pho at great prices.

We also take our coffee very seriously, so they should pop into a café for quality espresso.

Australia's nightlife

Whether they prefer buzzing beer gardens, cosy wine bars, private clubs or pumping nightclubs, Australia’s nightlife caters to every taste or whim. In major cities, like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the options are boundless, while Perth and Adelaide are renowned for their alternative music scenes and Darwin for its great pubs. In regional cities, like Byron Bay or Cairns, there's laid-back venues with quality cocktails and food. The Gold Coast is known for its theme parks and endless beaches, but it's now also a hot spot for craft beer, great food and exciting nightlife.

Internet & mobile phone access

Australia is well-connected, so they won't have trouble using internet and Wi-Fi in major cities. They'll find public wireless hotspots in many cafés, restaurants and fast-food chains around the country. Most hotels, hostels, campsites and caravan parks provide internet on site, too. In addition to cities, Australia also boasts more remote places that have less connectivity. In very remote areas they can try to get access at Community Resource Centres (CRCs) or local libraries. Mobile phone access may be a challenge in remote or wilderness areas, so suggest they always plan ahead and tell someone where they'll be staying.

Adventure in Australia

Australia is an adventurer’s playground, with plenty of activities to get the heart racing. Abseil in the Blue Mountains, 4WD across South Australia's rugged Flinders Ranges or drive the majestic Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Adrenaline-chasers will love activities like white water rafting through Tasmania’s World Heritage wilderness or jet boating through the Horizontal Falls in Western Australia.

Plus come face to face with Australia’s wildlife and take part in utterly unique – and heart-pumping – wildlife encounters. They can cage dive with great white sharks or go swimming with sea lions in South Australia. With plenty of zoos, aquariums and animal experiences, Australian wildlife is sure to be a part of the adventure Down Under.

Whether they get the chance to encounter wildlife in a zoo, wildlife park or in their natural habitat, it's important to treat all animals with care and respect. Many zoos and wildlife parks offer close encounter experiences that will allow them to pat, feed or cuddle certain animals. They should never touch or feed animals outside of this type of experience.