Australia is known to be one of the most renowned travel havens in the world. It’s recognized as a paramount backpacking road trip, camping, and diving destination. It doesn’t matter what your travel style is, there is something that will tie you here. Having the chance to travel in Australia is one of the many dreams of so many travelers especially of those backpackers. 

Just thinking of the Land Down Under, it is a no-win not to think of the beach, the huge land of nothingness, the Kangaroos and Koalas, and the feels of endless summer. Backpacking Australia is really the “must do” for backpackers around the world, from sunup to sundown, it’s sure that you’ll discover yourself busy on stuff you can do there.  

A lot of travelers say that you can always find something new about the country that you will love. It’s filled with amazing natural beauty from Uluru to the Outback, spotless white sand beaches to rainforests, and of course, the Great Barrier Reef. Even Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House are historic man-made wonders, and Melbourne’s café culture will make you feel as if you’re in Europe. No wonder why plenty of people want to explore Australia.  

Here’s the ultimate backpacking Australia travel guide that will help you plan your next trip this 2020! Keep reading. 

Real-life About What You Can See 

Most of us already know that Australia is big, however, plenty of travelers belittle just how vast the country actually is. Some realize that Australia is actually about the same size as the continental USA, which would only mean that flying from Sydney to Perth is equal to flying from New York to LA. Meanwhile, New South Wales is as similar as the size as to all of Western Europe. In a nutshell, it’s impossible to see the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Perth, and that big red rock all in a two-week trip.  

Australia is just too huge to be excessively determined with the itinerary. Even a long-time backpacker East Coast would not be able to complete in weeks, it may take at least a couple of months. There are so many things to see and it’s unavoidable that most Australian journeys are hurried, which really doesn’t fit the country’s laid-back ambiance. 

It’s true that it can get pretty maddening to miss out on certain places, but you need to be realistic about what you can see. You’ll be happier slowing down and enjoying yourself rather than rushing around trying to see everything at once.  

Best Time to Go to Australia 

Bearing in mind that Australia is such a big country, the climate and temperatures vary from place to place. In general, the most favored time to visit Australia is from April to September. The weather is nice and mild, and most of the country is dry and warm. Almost all the popular attractions will be open too. Meanwhile, from March to May (autumn), it’s the best time to visit Southern Australia. 

For hikers, you may want to visit Australia during winter from June to August.  

Furthermore, the low season is from October to March, since temperatures are too summery and humid, and intolerable to most people, particularly in the Red Center and around most of Western Australia. The positive side: more discounted travel rates, mainly at hotels and hostels. 

Backpacking Recommended Budgets 

The real question is, how much does it cost to visit Australia? If you’re on a backpacker budget, you can go for 60-80 AUD or 45-60 USD per day. Considering that you’re staying in a cheap hostel or camping, preparing most of your meals (occasionally eating fast food), and using local transportation, then this is your suggested budget. With this budget, you can stick largely to free activities or admission fees for museums/sites. 

If you’re looking for a nicer hostel, then you can stay on a mid-range budget of about 135 AUD or 100 USD, and have an occasional lunch/dinner at a restaurant, engage in some intercity travel, and explore several sights or have fun in basic tours such as walking tours.  

On the other hand, if you have the means and have a luxury budget of 270 AUD or 200+ USD, you can hop for a private room in a budget hotel accommodation, indulge eating out at least once a day, and fly in the middle of some cities. But be aware that the crowds of tourists can be great, and prices will be much higher than in the off-season/shoulder season. You will need to book many things in advance. 

What to Pack 

Now, if you’re heading to Australia, here are the best travel backpack and tips on what to pack. First of all, make sure that your backpack is light and comfy, front-loading, and fits perfectly in an airplane’s overhead bin. 

1. Clothes

• 1 pair of jeans (lightweight and not easily dried or try khaki pants) 
• 1 pair of shorts 
• 7 pairs of boxer shorts
• 6 T-shirts 
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt 
• 1 pair of flip-flops 
• 1 pair of sneakers 
• 1 bathing suit  
• 8 pairs of socks 
• 1 tube of toothpaste 
• 1 toothbrush 
• 1 package of dental floss 
• 1 razor 
• 1 small bottle of shampoo
• 1 small bottle of shower gel 
• 1 towel 
• Deodorant 

2. Compact Medical Kit 

• Earplugs 
• Tylenol 
• Band-Aids 
• Hydrocortisone cream 
• Antibacterial cream 
• Hand sanitizer (always!) 

3. Miscellaneous

• A safety key or combination lock
• Zip-lock bags (avoid leaking or exploding)
• Plastic bags (nice for laundry) 
• Universal charger/adaptor 

Travel Packing List (For Female) 

1. Clothes 

• 1 pair of comfy jeans  (can be washed and dry easily) 
• 1 pair of leggings 
• 2-3 long-sleeve tops 
• 2-3 T-shirts 
• 3-4 spaghetti tops 
• 1 light cardigan 
• 1 sarong 
• 1 swimsuit 

2. Toiletries 

• Your makeup kit (only the essentials) 
• Feminine hygiene products (but you can opt to buy there) 
• 1 hairbrush 
• 1 dry shampoo spray and talc powder 

How to Stay Safe in Australia 

Don’t worry! Australia is an amazing place to backpack and travel– even if you’re on solo travel, and even as a female traveling alone. You can barely hear news about violent attacks. People are friendly and helpful and you’re improbable to get into trouble. However, if you’re in a big city, hold on to normal precautions as you would wherever else. 

The most important thing when traveling is to always trust your gut instinct. If you feel like the taxi driver is a bit shady, it might be better to stop the cab and get out. And if your hotel is sordid, then get out of there!  Remember that you are entitled to remove yourself from the situation. Try to make copies of your personal documents such as your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.  

In other words, there is only one rule you should follow; if you don’t do it at home, don’t do it when you’re in Australia, and you’ll be fine.  

Author Bio: Ivandrea Ollero is a writer for Holiday Inn Parramatta Hotel, one of Australia’s luxury hotels providing accommodation in Parramatta and a great historical Sydney experience for tourists. She is also a content crafter who researches and writes custom content about travel, fashion, finance, business, home improvements, health, and beauty in order to provide helpful information and tips for her readers. Ivandrea graduated from St. Scholastica’s College, Manila, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2016.