Backpacker Tours is a travel website for working holiday makers. The platform is filled with handpicked adventure tours, which are perfect for young backpackers on their trip down under. Search Backpacker Tours to find the best trips and travel packages. At Backpacker Tours, you’ll find bus tours and 4WD tours as well as welcome & arrival packages through to hiking tours. Whether your adventure starts in Whitsunday Islands and Fraser Island or in Melbourne and Sydney; you’ll find the right tour packages here.
A popular option with both domestic and international travellers, a backpacker tour gives individuals the chance to travel light and cheaply at the same time as taking in some of the best backpacker tours which the country has to offer. There are an enormous variety of travel tours out there for adventurous people who want to make memories. Accessible on a limited budget, we take a look at some of the opportunities out there to make your Australian backpacking trip one to remember.
The East Coast Tour is an absolute must!
When it comes to adventure tours, travelling some or all of Australia’s east coast is an essential! Traditionally the trip spans the coast from Melbourne right up to Cairns (although travellers can start at either end of the coast, or travel smaller sections). The route passes through three states: Victoria, New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland.
Although traditionally the East Coast tour commenced at Sydney, a growing number of people are choosing to begin their adventure in Melbourne. Possibly one of the coolest cities on the planet, Melbourne has a laid-back yet sophisticated vibe which is almost irresistible. From the iconic Flinders station, through to the free street tram, numerous parks and intriguing architecture, Melbourne makes a great base from which to explore the surrounding area. It also benefits from an enormous number of restaurants, bars and clubs, where there are plenty of employment opportunities if you’re looking to supplement your travels with some additional cash. Close to the Wilson’s Promontory National Park, it’s also near Phillip Island (if you love penguins this has to be on your bucket list) and the Yarra Valley, well-known for its impressive vineyards and superior wines.
The classic backpacking route for East Coast devotees is along Highway 1, which circumnavigates the entire country. Brisbane and the Gold Coast offer numerous opportunities for adventure tours and travel tours. If you’re near Brisbane, why not consider an expedition into the rainforest, or a driving tour in the local area? North of Brisbane, lying off the coast, is Fraser Island. The largest sand island on the planet, it’s the only sand island which also hosts a rain forest! Listed as a World Heritage Site, a tour of Fraser Island provides the opportunity to experience a unique, stunning natural environment.
Located adjacent to the Conway National Park the Whitsundays are the perfect spot to enjoy anything from a snorkelling tour through to some turtle spotting. The Whitsundays are a popular location for day trippers and diving enthusiasts, as well as a haven for wildlife. If you’re visiting Whitsundays, a trip to Whitehaven beach is essential – as famous as Bondi, Whitehaven’s stunning fusion of white sand and blue ocean makes it an idyllic option. Many people choose to fly over Heart Reef, a tiny island which is, indeed, almost perfectly heart-shaped. If sailing is your passion, the Whitsundays are a great location to enjoy as part of a mini-cruise or a day on the water. From the Whitsundays, many people continue northwards towards Cairns and the chance to visit the Great Barrier Reef
The largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a location of exceptional ecological importance as well as one of the most beautiful places on earth. A snorkelling tour is the perfect opportunity to explore this exquisite underwater landscape. Brightly coloured fish dart among the coral, creating a stunning seascape that’s absolutely unmissable. With more than 900 islands and 2900 reefs, the Great Barrier Reef is a must-visit destination. If snorkelling isn’t your thing, why not view the coral through one of the glass-bottomed boats which offer regular tours?
Although the East Coast has an enormous range of sights and experiences on offer, no backpacking trip in Australia would be complete without a journey to the interior. A popular tourist destination, Alice Springs (NT) is located within driving distance of the legendary Uluru (Ayres Rock), an impressive sandstone monolith which is of enormous cultural importance to the indigenous Australian people. Uluru tours allow visitors not only to visit the rock itself, but also to take in some of the arid scenery which forms much of inland Australia as well as trips to Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. Alice Springs has plenty of attractions, including a Desert Park, reptile centre and some intriguing museums. A camping tour of these iconic locations is a great opportunity to get closer to the amazing plants and animals in the area.
The traditional image of a backpacker is that of an individual who mainly walks or uses public transport to reach their next destination. Contemporary backpackers often prefer a more diverse range of options when it comes to getting the most from their travelling. Adventure tours or travel tours are a good way of seeing more of what Australia has to offer, as well as giving access to unique experiences such as bush camping, snorkelling, sailing, off-road driving, outback tours and more. These can either be completed as trips in their own right, or as an add-on to a longer trip along the East Coast route.
An organised adventure tour can have many benefits
A package adventure tour provides the opportunity to enjoy many of the country’s most stunning areas in relative comfort. Frequently a tour includes specialist equipment and vehicles, enabling you to take part without needing to buy additional kit. Because you will be accompanied by an experienced guide, it’s possible to visit more remote and potentially dangerous locations safely. Guides also tend to have an in-depth knowledge of the local area, enabling you to find out more and get a much deeper insight into the location during your visit. If you want to get the most from your time backpacking, adding a suitable tour to your itinerary can be of real benefit.
Further reading:
Some useful information can be found at the official Tourism Australia website as well as the state and regional tourism sites. Here are just a few: