Australia is a backpacking hotspot which attracts tourists from all over the world.
However, it is a huge country so it can be hard to decide where you should go and what you should see if your time is limited (which it usually is!).
Here are some great tips from James at Spaceships Rentals, who rent campervans in Oz, on what you should make sure you don’t miss!
Table of Contents
1. Yamba
The northern town of New South Wales, Yamba, is set right at the start of the Clarence River and is a favorite spot of tourists and fishermen.
In 2009, it was voted the “Best Town in Australia” by Australian Traveller Magazine and appeals to people due to its white sand beaches with teal water, and several amazing restaurants. If you are backpacking through this area, definitely stop by Yamba.
2. Noosa
Noosa is one of the most sensational beach towns on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia.
The pristine beaches and sparkling waters are enough to draw anyone in; however there is so much to do in this town that you won’t have enough time no matter how many times you go back.
There are endless outdoor activities, fantastic scenery, several beachfront restaurants and places to just kick back and relax on your journey.
3. Fraser Island
Fraser Island is located just off the coast of Queensland and it is the world’s largest sand island, and it goes on for over 120 km.
It is easy to reach from Noosa as there are many multi-day tours out to the island, and you won’t find anything as incredible as laying on a beach completely in the middle of the ocean.
The crystal clear waters make it impossible to not swim, and you will surely feel like you have made it to paradise.
4. Mission Beach
Mission Beach in Queensland, Australia is a sanctuary of beauty and a very popular place to visit during those hot months.
It is a village that is located right on the Coral Sea and it is also surrounded by some of the greenest trees from a rainforest you will ever come upon, and it is a World Heritage site.
There is another World Heritage site nearby which is the Great Barrier Reef that is on the bucket list of every diver in the world.
5. Uluru and Ayer’s Rock
Aside from the Sydney Opera House, Ayer’s Rock is the runner-up for symbols of Australia.
The giant red mass in the middle of the Outback is one of the most sought visited rocks in the world, and it is located in the Northern Territory near Uluru.
Ayer’s Rock is about 350 meters tall and visitors are welcome to climb it, which should only take about 30 minutes if you're in decent shape.
6. Daintree
It won’t take you long to figure out why you went to the Daintree Rainforest once you get there.
The amazing green plants and animals that inhabit the area are very welcoming and offer a fantastic area to hike and walk.
There are packages that can be booked for a tour of the area, and if you are brave enough, there is a lot of wildlife that loves to come out at night.
7. The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains of New South Wales are located just outside of Sydney and are home to the startling mountain formation, The Three Sisters.
For all of those who assume Australia to be nothing but desert and beach, this mountain range is sure to prove everyone wrong twice over. There are rivers nearby, unlimited forest paths, and lots of amazing rock climbing to explore.
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This post was brought to you by Tom at Backpackerboy.com.
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Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.
Bara
Wednesday 26th of August 2015
Nice post! We've recently been to Australia and Daintree Forest and Blue Mountains were two places which we've visited as well. Definitely worth it!
Luke Mitchell
Monday 22nd of June 2015
Alright, the universe is speaking to me. This is the 15th post I think I've seen on Australia and where to go and what to see and I can no longer ignore the pull of the continent that I've wanted to see all my life. It's funny, every time I read a post about it, it was this wistful desire to go but after reading this one, I can't think of why I haven't just gone and done it. That ends.
Lisbeth
Monday 8th of June 2015
Thank you for the inspirational post and the involuntary comical comment about Ayer's Rock being 350 km tall ;-)
Dave
Tuesday 9th of June 2015
Oops, I missed that... fixing now. Thanks for letting me know :)