Australia is a vast continent of red deserts, lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and vibrant cities. It’s no surprise that it’s visited by millions of people across the globe every year. In recent years, backpacking has become an increasingly popular way to see this country up close and personal and take in its unique beauty and wealth of sites and attractions. Backpackers will find a wide array of fascinating destinations and landmarks to visit on their journey to this wondrous country.
Background info
Australia is home to a wide variety of terrains and climates with typically warm and sunny weather all year round. English is the dominant language and its citizens are known for their welcoming attitudes and casual, laid back view on life. Backpackers should come prepared with plenty of money, maps and GPS devices and enough food to last them for a while. The country is home to a wide array of incredible natural landmarks to visit, but backpackers can also take in its many cities and towns as well.
Australia’s Outback
One of the top places to start your backpacking journey of Australia is the famed Outback region. Located in the heart of the country, the Outback is known for its endless red deserts, unique landscapes and incredible diversity of flora and fauna to see. The prime destination in the Outback is Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
The park is well known for its unspoiled natural beauty and unbelievable rock formations. Uluru is an iconic, monolithic rock that rises high above the Outback landscape. A national symbol of Australia, it is a must-see landmark and is known for its jaw-dropping color changes depending on the location of the sun and time of day. Nearby Kata Tjuta is another area of unique rock formations and a great place to see the Outback’s sunrises and sunsets.
Blue Mountains National Park
The rugged Blue Mountains of New South Wales are another great destination for backpackers. Not far from the city of Sydney, the Blue Mountains are renowned for their natural beauty, panoramic vistas and breathtaking scenery.
Top attractions in this region include:
- Blue Mountains National Park;
- the Jenolan Caves;
- Wollemi National Park;
- Cliff Drive, a scenic drive known for its phenomenal views of the mountains.
Tasmania
The island of Tasmania is yet another excellent destination. Located off the southeast coast of the Australian continent, Tasmania offers backpackers a wide range of destinations and stunning scenery.
The top attractions and landmarks in Tasmania include:
- Cradle Mountain;
- the Bay of Fires;
- the Cataract Gorge Reserve.
Sydney and Melbourne
Even outside of Australia’s rural areas, backpackers will find plenty to do in the country’s bustling cities. Sydney, the largest and most iconic city in the country, is home to many fascinating landmarks such as:
- the Sydney Opera House;
- the Sydney Harbour Bridge;
- the Royal Botanic Gardens;
- Darling Harbour and much more.
Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city, is home to many great attractions such as:
- the Queen Victoria Market;
- the Docklands and
- the Melbourne Museum.
With so much to see and do, Australia is a backpacker’s paradise and an incredible travel destination all around.