Remember the days when the term "backpacker" held a sense of awe? One who lives in the mythic world of travel, conjuring up that "Cambellian" (as in "Joseph") sense of "the hero's adventure." (read Cambell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces" if you haven't already). These days I am often sadly surprised when I meet a representative of the "modern backpacker".

If you are planning a trip to Australia, you probably already know that Aussie hostels are called "backpackers." An appropriate name for these places, as who will you find filling up the backpackers? You got it: the backpackers. As we travel (say north of Sydney - assuming we were at a Sydney backpacker - to Newcastle, approximately an hour and a half's drive) where do we find these Indiana Jones types, these backpackers? What do you know? They are all right here at the nearest Newcastle backpacker. The same faces from Sydney. What a coincidence! "Imagine running into you again here..."

Everyone together again, for there is safety in numbers, but not too together, for each must convince himself that he (or she) is having a more genuine Australian experience than the others. If the truth be told, none are experiencing much of Australia outside the Aussie backpacker's prescribed holiday. "Have you been to Ayer's Rock yet? Oh, you gotta go, man. It's pretty amazing. Long bus ride, though." (which was the more honest concealed drudgery of the tale, believe me. It is a LONG bus ride for a rock, folks, beautiful place that it is.)

Look, I am not a complete skeptic. Backpackers and their holiday booking desks serve their purpose. It can be exhilarating hanging out and travelling Australia with a whole cast of characters from all over the world. Certainly, we learn from this mode of travel, and it is not to be completely shunned. But I was clear from the outset of this essay: I am writing for those interested in experiencing Australia and knowing adventure.

Friends, there is very little chance of a genuine Australian experience or any sense of adventure in a backpacker's bus ride around this desert continent. Many get clued in quickly and either buy a cheap vehicle upon landing in Sydney, or, better yet in my heavily biased opinion, set out on the Australian highways with nothin' but a thumb. Well get to that option later.

Having your own vehicle in Australia is a wonderful way to enhance your Australian adventure. The good old backpackers will clue you in where you can buy some wheels. Then you can kiss the backpackers goodbye for ever! Go anywhere, for whatever reason you wish. Forget the big touristy bits for the time being. You'll get there. In the meantime, realize you are in a new country and the cultural adventure is already upon you. Use your vehicle to do the unpredictable.

Explore national parks well off the beaten track. Visit Aussie pubs in small towns, and watch yourself, cuz its still very much the wild west out here at times (may not be the adventure you are after). The Australian coast is amazing to Americans, who are so accustomed to intense over-development of anywhere beautiful. "Call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye." (Don Henley/The Eagles) Your own private beach paradise for the day (or week) is easy to find here.

Just travelling the wide open spaces anywhere in Oz is a rewarding experience for most Europeans, who are so accustomed to large populations living together in much tighter quarters. Travelling in this way you will appreciate a sense of open freedom in the Australian landscape. Folks, one can truly breathe here. Fresh air and open elbow room are not the problems here. Which brings us to culture...

Questions?
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