Australia Cities and Outback

Australia is more vast and beautiful than you can imagine. Roughly the same size as the United States, with about a tenth of the population, it is brimming with natural beauty and endless open space.

With most of its major cities on the east coast, this is a good place to start. Immerse yourself in the eclectic culture and breathtaking sights as you go from the cool temperate zone in the state of Victoria right up to the humid tropics in Queensland.

The best way to get around Australia’s east coast is by Greyhound bus. You can purchase a pass that will last you three months for $500, and allows you to get on and off at will during that time. Youth hostels are a good option for budget accommodation in Australia: book into YHA-accredited hostels to ensure good quality and rates.

Start your Australian journey by arriving in the Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne, where you can catch a Skybus to the CBD for about $20 AUD. Melbourne is the cultural hub of Australia, popular for its hip small bars, winding laneways lined with incredible street art, and its creative scene. If you love sport and you’re there during the winter months, check out an AFL game at the iconic MCG. The best way to get around Melbourne is with a Myki card, which you can use to hop on trams. You can get a charged Myki card from any 7/11 in the city.

As a result of a whole century’s influx of different cultures to Australia, Melbourne has become a mixing pot of cuisines. Venture down Little Bourke Street’s “Chinatown” for the most authentic Asian foods, or try Lygon Street for traditional Italian, Greek and more. And if you’re really into food, check out the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

Board the Greyhound bus for your first ride, to Sydney, the biggest and no doubt busiest city in Australia. We suggest staying just out of the CBD: Glebe is a good choice. As well as checking out Sydney’s nightlife (or, if you’re lucky enough to be there, the Sydney Mardi Gras), set aside a few days for trips out to Sydney’s famous beaches: Bondi, Manly, Cronulla and Coogee. You could even try surfing!

After the hustle and bustle of Sydney, you will be relieved to arrive in the picturesque Byron Bay, where the key items on your agenda are surf, sun and sand. If you’re there at the right time of year, you can check out one of Australia’s main music festivals: Falls Festival (in June), or Splendour in the Grass (in February).

Further North you will pass a whole array of surf beaches: hop off at Surfer’s Paradise, Noosa, Yamba, 1760’s to work on your tan: however, these places are probably only worth a one- or two-night stay.

Soon you’ll cross the border into tropical Queensland, where you should definitely hop off at Townsville. The city itself is nothing to rave about, but board a ferry to the idyllic Magnetic Island and you’ll realise what you’re here for. Magnetic Island has no cars, but you can hire a Moke to get around the island, or else use the bus or taxi services. Otherwise, spend your time exploring the network of hiking trails to get to secret beaches and lookout points on the island: be sure to bring your bathers and plenty of water. Many tours are available, and you can catch your first glimpses of the Great Barrier Reef just off shore.

When you’re done there, keep heading north to Cairns, where you can go on boat trips out to snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef. Be sure to take a tour out to Cape Tribulation, for a true tropical experience, and don’t miss the Mossman Gorge swimming hole, or the Tablelands.

Though it is necessary to take an aeroplane to get to Western Australia (unless you’re keen for a very long road trip across the Nullarbor Plain), it is certainly worth it. The north of W.A. is where you will find what usually comes to mind when you think of “the outback”.

It’s around $600 for a flight from Cairns to the town of Exmouth, which is a laidback coastal settlement on the North-West Cape. Miles of pristine coral reef surround the cape, which, because of its isolation from any major cities, is of far better quality than the Great Barrier Reef. As such, Exmouth is great for snorkelling, diving, or even swimming with the rare and endangered whaleshark.

You will need to hire a car to get around in Exmouth, which costs around $500 for a week: it’s a good idea to get a 4WD if you can. Explore the gorges of Cape Range National Park, or if you’re keen on some longer trips, visit the rock art at Burrup Peninsula, the beautiful Millstream-Chichester National Park, or the breathtaking Karijini National Park. You might even like to spend the night camping at some of those places.