Plan your trip to Australia without breaking the bank – with this comprehensive travel guide you’ll save both money and enjoy every second spent Down Under!
Sunbathe on white-sand beaches of Jervis Bay or Sydney Harbour Bridge, or enjoy some foodie culture in Melbourne with cafes, restaurants and museums aplenty – or drive along Great Ocean Road until reaching the Twelve Apostles for some incredible teetering limestone stacks!
East Coast
Australia’s east coast boasts some of the finest beaches and island destinations such as Whitehaven Beach – famous for its incredibly fine sand that you can use to clean your teeth!) as well as idyllic island destinations like Whitsunday Islands and Fraser Island. Additionally, Australia offers outdoor activities like hiking and snorkelling as well as charming surf towns.
Sydney, the capital of NSW, is an ideal starting point for an East Coast road trip in Australia. Here, visitors can easily visit UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains region – with incredible sandstone cliffs that have been weathered over millennia to form jaw-dropping landscapes that will awe you!
Organised tours of Australia’s east coast are an increasingly popular option among backpackers. Organised tours can provide the ideal way to meet people while having all logistics handled for you – some examples include Oz Experience, Stray Travel and Loka.
West Coast
Australia’s west coast may have been neglected by travelers until recently; but this region of Australia holds plenty of surprises for visitors. Wineries and bustling cities vie with white sand beaches, rocky gorges and sacred Aboriginal land for your attention; pink lakes exist alongside strange rock formations, Eucalyptus forests and powerful waterfalls to offer plenty of surprises to visitors.
Western Australia is full of exciting activities for visitors. You’ll find everything from swimming with whale sharks in Busselton to walking the Cape to Cape track and uncovering Albany’s rich colonial history to visiting Western Australia’s vineyards. Plus there is always hiking, scuba diving and sailing opportunities along its coast or exploring its desert culture in Alice Springs; no matter what you decide on doing there will surely leave an indelible mark!
Northern Territory
From Kakadu and Uluru national parks to tropical Top End, Australia’s northern territory provides bucket list worthy destinations for every traveller. Expansive red outback desert, soothing plunge pools and an ancient continuing culture all create unforgettable travel experiences that you won’t soon forget.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta form the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, holding deep spiritual meaning for indigenous Australians. Wander through their base or admire sunset reflected onto jutting rock walls at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park before visiting nearby Nourlangie and Ubirr to admire ancient Aboriginal rock paintings.
Alice Springs serves as an entry point to some of Australia’s most well-known landmarks. You’ll meet animals at Alice Springs Desert Park and Reptile Park; catch Henley on Todd Regatta (held every May or June); trek the rim of King’s Canyon with its incredible bluffs and gorges or explore West MacDonnell Ranges further afield.
Southern Territory
South Australia offers an astoundingly varied tourist experience. Wine lovers may gravitate toward McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley, while those interested in wildlife or outback scenery should explore Flinders Ranges, which forms South Australia’s largest mountain range.
Kangaroo Island and the Flinders Ranges’ rugged outback are both within a reasonable driving or flying distance of Adelaide, making both destinations easily attainable in two weeks of travel.
Other must-see attractions include Naracoorte Caves and Limestone Coast, two UNESCO World Heritage sites that boast charming seaside towns. Bumbunga Lake changes color depending on salinity levels; don’t miss Bumbunga; it offers breathtaking beauty that rarely receives visitor. And take an unforgettable scenic flight over Lake Eyre – Australia’s biggest salt lake that spans Western, Northern Territory, and South Australian borders for a truly unforgettable experience!