Australia

[Updated 2016]

The Australian Dollar has fallen against the US Dollar significantly in the past year, making what was an expensive destination, much more affordable. Hence, we’ve added it to our Top 10 Value Destinations for US Dollar Travelers for 2016. If you travel with American Dollars in your pocket, don’t wait!

New Articles on Australia

Australia has nearly the same land mass as the 48 contiguous United States, but with far fewer people – and it’s the only country in the world to occupy an entire continent. With so much land, there’s bound to be something for everyone who visits Australia.

Add Australia to your multi-stop trip

Australia is a popular country to add to your multi-stop trip. Below is a sample itinerary that includes some ample time exploring Australia. To take advantage of all of Indie’s features, become a BootsnAll member today (it’s free!).

Australian Pillars to plan your trip around

Whether it’s highly urban settings like Melbourne and Sydney, the desert outback which covers much of the interior of the country, or the killer beaches and surfing opportunities that ring basically the entire continent, indie travelers can spend a lifetime exploring Australia.

  • Explore the beaches throughout Australia, as they offer white sand and crystal clear waters (see specific recommendations in our Indie Tips below.
  • If you’re a fan of the water and marine life, the Great Barrier Reef awaits with more than 400 types of corals and 1500 types of fish. It’s one of the most sought after diving spots in the entire world.
  • Visit the major cities in Australia – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns, and Darwin all offer unique and interesting opportunities for indie travelers.
  • Indie travelers hit the road to experience a different culture, and sports are a huge part of Australian culture. Check out a cricket game or a rugby match during your time in Oz.
  • Australia often gets overlooked as a trekking destination as many opt for the more popular New Zealand, but Oz has plenty of options as well – the Overland Track in Tasmania and the Great Ocean Walk in Victoria are just a few of the many amazing multi-day hikes available.
  • If you have the time and the funds, renting a campervan and taking a road trip is the best way to explore all Australia has to offer, on your own terms.

Indie travel tips

  • Check out the following beaches if you’re a fan of the sea.
    • Bondi Beach in Sydney is one of the most popular in the world, and for good reason – it’s popular among both sunbathers and surfers.
    • Durras, about 3 hours south of Sydney, offers wildlife, surfing, trails through lush rainforests, and canoeing and fishing.
    • Batemans Bay is about 2 hours from Canberra and home to natural parks, great beaches, surfing, and deep sea fishing.
    • Riedle Beach on Marine Island in Tasmania offers a respite from the crowds. Marine Island is car-free, so you’ll have to rely on your own two feet or a bike to get around.
  • Australia has a plethora of amazing museums for those who like some culture with their sun and adventure.
    • Queensland Museum in Brisbane has been around since 1862 and features a popular “Dinosaur Garden” with life-size models of the T-Rex and Triceraptos.
    • The Western Australia Museum has six sites located in western Australia – see shipwrecks, restored ships, and explore the interior of a real submarine.
  • Go to Surfest, one of the premier surfing competitions, in Newcastle.
  • Going to Australia in the winter? I bet you don’t associate skiing with Australia, but there are several ski resorts in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.


Transportation

You might have to travel a long way to get there, but you won’t necessarily have to break the bank to do it. Finding cheap airfare to Australia can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. If you are already in the region it obviously helps, which is why so many travelers add Australia to a larger, round the world trip, but sometimes you can get good fares from North America as well.

Once in Australia, you can get around in a variety of ways. It’s a big country, nearly as big as the continental US, but with far less people, so renting your own wheels allows you to see and do more than going by bus. By even if a rental isn’t in the budget, there are a variety of other transport options for all travelers.

Where to stay

Of course there are thousands of hotels in Australia, and they range from 5-star to bars that literally have bedrooms upstairs so drunks have a place to sleep. There are also tons of hostels in Australia, although many of them go by the name ‘backpackers’ instead. You can find them in big cities, but also in small towns since so many Australians are always traveling around and there is always a high demand for cheap sleeps.

You might also want to see if there is an Australia adventure trip that suits you, too.

To keep learning about this country/continent before your trip, you can browse our Australia travel stories.

Photo credits: rapidtravelchai