Backpacking Around Australia: What Are the Hotspots?
- Written by Claire Carter
Australia offers a diverse range of destinations for backpackers, from stunning coastlines to rugged outback experiences. Here's a guide to some of the top spots for your Australian adventure.
Queensland: Tropical Getaways and Island Adventures
Queensland is a prime destination for holidaymakers, offering tropical rainforests and unspoiled coastlines.
Port Douglas: This cosmopolitan yet laid-back town offers some of Australia's best beach walks, gourmet eateries, and lively bars. It's a great drive from Cairns all the way to the tip of Cape York.
Hervey Bay: Known as a mecca for holidaymakers, it's also a gateway to K'gari, Australia’s largest sand island, perfect for beach and nature lovers. You can still find plenty to see and do even if you miss the annual whale migration around October.
Mackay: Venture off the highway to discover gems like Cape Hillsborough National Park, located 50km north-west of Mackay. This coastal retreat offers the pre-dawn spectacle of local wallabies and kangaroos gathering on the beach.
Airlie Beach: If there is a "Backpacker Central" then it is Airlie Beach in The Whitsundays. People from all over the World and from around Australia travel to Airlie Beach as a part of some sort of tropical beach side pilgrimage.
New South Wales: Coastal Beauty and City Lights
New South Wales boasts a mix of stunning beaches and vibrant city attractions.
Batemans Bay: If you're looking for a magnificent surf beach, a taste of the region's famous oysters, or a walk through Murramarang National Park, Batemans Bay is the place to go.
Blue Mountains: West of Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer some of New South Wales' best off-road driving against a backdrop of stunning sandstone ridges and sprawling valleys.
Canberra: Australia’s capital is a great summer destination when locals and politicians are away, allowing tourists to enjoy attractions like the National Gallery of Australia, Australian War Memorial, and Parliament House.
South Australia: Outback Experiences and Island Wonders
Discover unique landscapes and wildlife in South Australia.
Streaky Bay: This tiny coastal town on the Eyre Peninsula is a favorite spot, featuring a great caravan park on the hill and the ability to drive your car onto the beach for a swim.
Flinders and Bendleby Ranges: For an accessible red dirt Outback experience, Bendleby Ranges is a top choice with sheltered campsites among pine and gum trees, along river and creek beds, offering showers and toilets nearby for an ideal family camping experience.
Kangaroo Island: Australia’s third largest island is an isolated marvel accessible to RV travelers with some planning. Major attractions in the south and south-west include Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, and Flinders Chase National Park.
Tasmania: Historic Towns and Ancient Forests
Explore Tasmania's natural beauty and rich history.
Launceston and Cataract Gorge: Launceston is well worth a visit for its great places to eat, top-notch wineries, and the perfect day trip to Cataract Gorge, a short walk from the city center.
Sawyer Bay: In the north-west, the historic fishing town of Stanley offers a caravan park perfectly positioned at the base of the volcanic outcrop called the Nut and nestled alongside Sawyer Bay.
Strahan: On Macquarie Harbour, Strahan is a favorite spot where you can cruise for miles up the beach or meander along the Gordon River to walk among 2000-year-old Huon pines in the ancient rainforests.
Western Australia: Coral Coasts and Outback Trails
Western Australia provides opportunities for coastal relaxation and rugged adventures.
Exmouth: If time is short on the Coral Coastline, head to Exmouth where emus wander through the caravan park and you can swim with turtles at Ningaloo Reef from the nearby beach.
Gibb River Road, Kimberley, Diamond Gorge: Avoid the Wet season and use a suitable 4WD vehicle to drive along the dusty Gibb River Road in the Kimberley for a must-do Outback experience. Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary is a favorite stop-off, offering a spectacular two-kilometer canoe ride through Diamond Gorge.
Margaret River: This region offers something for everyone, including world-famous surf breaks, spectacular forest drives, countless wineries and breweries, and lighthouse lookouts. Stretch your legs on the 1841m long Busselton Jetty on the drive in.
Victoria: Island Escapes and National Parks
Victoria offers diverse landscapes from island attractions to rocky peaks.
Phillip Island: For last-minute bookings near Melbourne, Phillip Island is a great spot for all ages, with attractions like a sizable koala population, a noisy offshore colony of grey fur seals, and the daily evening parade of fairy penguins.
Mallacoota: In Victoria’s Gippsland region, this coastal town is at the extreme eastern end of Victoria, close to the stunning Croajingolong National Park, which offers many walks through rainforests, granite peaks, and estuaries.
The Grampians: The spectacular rocky peaks of the Grampians in north-western Victoria offer sweeping views across lakes, valleys, and townships from steep granite cliff faces.
Murray-Sunset National Park, near Underbool: Located in Victoria’s far north-west, this huge national park rewards the drive with four pink-coloured lakes in its southern part. Walking out in the middle across the vivid pink salt crust at sunset at Lake Crosbie, the biggest lake, is an unforgettable experience.
Northern Territory: Thermal Springs and Waterfalls
Experience the unique natural wonders of the Northern Territory.
Mataranka: Relaxing in thermal springs is a highlight of any Top End trip, with Mataranka’s soothing, turquoise pools just a short detour from the Stuart Highway towards Darwin. Park at the Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort and check out the replica of the original Elsey homestead of ‘We of the Never Never’ fame.
Litchfield National Park: This park is a great introduction to the wonders of NT’s national parks, with sealed roads, big carparks, and easy, hand-railed walks to pools and falls. There's plenty to see and do, including wandering around the Magnetic termite mounds and Tolmer Falls lookout, swimming at Buley Rockholes and Florence Falls, and cruising through the Lost City.
These destinations offer a taste of Australia's best for backpackers seeking adventure and unforgettable experiences.
