Australia has become one of the backpacking attractions for backpackers and budget travelers.
One of the reasons it has managed to maintain its place at the top of the budget traveler itinerary is the ability for foreign nationals from selected countries to apply for a working holiday visa.
Lasting for up to 12 months, workers can try and find a job in a major city such as Melbourne or Sydney within easy reach of cheap hostels in Australia and explore their many sites. Conversely, travelers can opt for the plentiful fruit picking work in more remote regions so they can better explore the ‘outback’.
Australia is rightly renowned for its natural beauty, with relatively cheap forays to stunning attractions, such as the Barossa Valley and Cradle Mountain inshore or the Great Barrier Reef offshore, as well as Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, all established must-sees.
Events such as the Sydney Festival in January and the Adelaide Festival of Arts in March offer plenty on a budget, including open air concerts and street theatre. However be warned: competition for budget accommodation is high around festival time, so be sure to book in advance.
Rail is a popular backpacking option, with trains servicing major cities such as Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney as well as making more remote locations such as Broken Hill more accessible.