Feature: The great Australian East Coast backpacking trip
Think of backpacking and what comes to mind? Many people would say the vast land of Australia first of all as it embodies this fun filled travel experience perfectly. Some would even go further to suggest the country was made for backpackers! With hostels dotting the entire 16,000 miles of coastline, gorgeous laid-back beaches on the coast, a party culture to rival anywhere in the world, and landscapes and cityscapes to take your breath away, it’s no wonder millions of backpackers descend here each year. From the laid back and cultured streets of Sydney to the hippie friendly Bryon Bay, countless national parks dot the land, landscapes vary from tropical rainforest to parched desert, and wild marine life swims in abundance offshore. So following on with our guide to classic backpacker destinations, this week we’re looking at Australia’s famed east coast where hip towns boasting beautiful beaches bask in glorious sunshine...
Getting there
The flight from the UK can be expensive, but luckily there are ways around spending too much money. Avoiding peak travel seasons - Christmas and summer in Europe and Oz - means you could save up to 30 per cent n a flight. Numerous airlines like British Airways and Qantas offer good deals, but it might be good checking out student travel agents like STA Travel, who sometimes have sales. Round the world tickets also work out cheaper if you want to stop over in Asia and carry on to Latin America afterwards, and sometimes offer unbeatable value for money. If you’re travelling for under three months you can apply for a free eVisitor visa online, while those on longer stays have to pay a bit more.
Working
A slowly declining myth about this beautiful land is it’s a cheap place to travel. Sadly this is not true, and prices are comparable with Western Europe. With this in mind, unless you have saved for years, it’s quite hard to travel for longer than a few months on budget, especially because there are so many thrill sports and adventures to indulge in! But Working Holiday Visas are a great option as they allow you to work while you travel.
Transport
A very large number of hostels or ‘backpackers’ offer rooms for around £15 and come equipped with self-catering kitchens, but unfortunately transport from one destination to the next is can be quite pricey. Remember this is a very big country and overnight journeys are not uncommon! A way around this is to book a discounted east coast pass with national coach company Greyhound, or book last minute flights online. Another option is the super-fun Oz Experience – a hop-on hop-off party themed bus service which is aimed at backpackers. Although a tad more expensive, the staff can help with accommodation advice and will generally stop off at natural wonders. And as you have already paid for the transport it makes budgeting that bit easier!
New South Wales
So, fly into Sydney and get yourself booked into one of the many hostels. The city’s districts are very distinct, so you should think about your agenda first. Party animals should head to Kings Cross or Paddington while culture hounds should head to The Rocks. A good option is Bondi Backpackers which offers cheap dorm beds along the famous shoreline. If you can spare the cash climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, and before you leave check out the gigantic crabs and Barramundi at Sydney Fish Market! Nearby is the stunning Blue Mountains offering bushwalking adventures through Eucalytpus trees and limestone caverns. Relax on the laid-back beaches of Newcastle and head inland to the rainforested Dorrigo National Park where wallabies live alongside four species of climbing possum. Do not miss out on the hippie-friendly Bryon Bay where the New Age population dine on organic and vegetarian food. Check out Middle Eastern fare in Olivo and party all night in the Beach Hotel!
Queensland
Marvel at the skyscrapers in Brisbane where the vast river flows under the Story Bridge. This city of nearly two million people is charmingly laid back and boasts historic colonial buildings in the CBD. Relax in the pleasant Botanic Gardens and admire the renaissance style architecture of the Treasury Building. Drink a beer on the deck of Chill Backpackers hostel while the sun sinks below the techno-cityscape. Surf the Sunshine Coast in hip Noosa before camping in the stunning Fraser Island where you can cook over fuel stoves while watching out for the wild dingoes! It is almost impossible to describe how beautiful the island is. Tour the glorious Whitsunday Islands by boat further north, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef and bungee jump in tropical forest 15km north of Cairns!
Australia is so vast and so diverse, your one month trip could easily extend to two, then three, then a year!
