Australia is the backpackers’ paradise, especially if you want to combine traveling with work. This huge country has many different landscapes and offers something for everyone. Whether you want to surf, explore a city, or go into the rugged desert, it is all possible.
Remember that compared to some other backpacking countries, Australia is quite expensive. Don’t be fooled by the distances and take the time to travel from A to B.
Either an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or an eVisitor visa for Australia will be required, depending on nationality. Check which one applies to you. This will allow you to travel for 3 months.
- Language: English
- Capital: Canberra
- Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Time Zone: UTC+8; +9.5, +10
Australia accepts both credit cards and debit cards. We use our credit cards for big purchases and use our debit cards at ATMs. Pay attention to the fees for transactions and choose accordingly.
The Australian dollar has both coins and notes. The coin series consists of 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and 1 and 2 dollars. The banknote series consists of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. The colors make it easy to see which note has which value.
Australia is great for renting a car or a campervan to get around. Just remember they drive on the left side of the road. In cities, you might have to deal with crossing trams.
Public transport is available as well. We took the tram to get around Melbourne and Sidney. Flights are not that expensive so that’s a great way to cover long distances. If you want to spend less and have time take the Greyhound Bus.
We start our journey through Australia in Melbourne. We rent a car and drive to Phillip Island where we attend the Penguin Parade and enjoy all the goodies in the chocolate factory. Our next road trip is along the Great Ocean Road, we drive from Melbourne to Lorne. After this, it is time to fly to Sydney. After exploring the city we walk part of the Coogee to Bondi walk.
Melbourne -> Phillip Island -> Melbourne -> Great Ocean Road -> Sydney -> Bondi Beach
Sydney is hard to miss when you’re visiting Australia. One of the most iconic buildings in the world, the Opera House is definitely worth a visit. But don’t forget about Bondi Beach. We did the Congee to Bondi Beach Walk which is part of a coastal path that runs along the beaches in Sydney. The cliffs show the impact of the weather which is pretty aweseome.
The Great Ocean Road runs all the way from Port Fairy to Warrnambool. If you have time we recommend driving the whole thing, but if you don’t, a part will do as well. The most famous stop along the route is the Twelve Apostles, but really anywhere you go you have awesome views. This road is build by soldiers who came home from WW I and didn’t have a job.
This was definitely the coolest thing we did while in Australia. Phillip Island is worth it by itself, but the chocolate factory and penguins make it extra special. It’s a nice day trip from Melbourne. At night you get to watch the penguins return from the ocean and waddle to their homes, which is the cutest thing we ever saw. If you have the chance to go, go!
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