Australia has long been considered a dream destination for enthusiastic backpackers.
The continent boasts vast dynamic landscapes, with bustling cities surrounded by incredible (and incredibly remote) natural beauty.
From the Great Ocean Road and the Blue Mountains to the Daintree Rainforest, Kakadu National Park, Uluru, and Fraser Island, the country boasts countless ecotourism attractions for visitors to explore.
But of course backpacking in Australia is not without its challenges, particularly when you’re visiting remote destinations there isn’t much in the way of infrastructure.
Fortunately, knowing the outdoor essentials required for backpacking and other forms of outdoor recreation can help ensure your trip to Australia is an enjoyably memorable one.
Read on for our 7 simple tips for backpacking in Australia…
1. Choose a Route
Australia is a dream destination for backpackers, with several exciting hiking routes that rival America’s Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, and Spain’s Camino de Santiago.
One of the most famous road trips in Australia, the 2,818-kilometer East Coast Road Trip, stretches all the way from Melbourne in the south to Cairns in the north.
You can drive the entire distance in around 30 hours, but it’s better to take your time along the way for hiking in places like Airlie Beach, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay, Noosa, Gold Coast, and Byron Bay.
The Great Ocean Walk south of Melbourne is considered one of the world’s best hiking trails. It can be tackled as an extended hike (up to 7-8 days) or broken down into smaller sections of day hikes, with loads of accommodation options nearby.
2. Save $$ by Booking Accommodations in Advance
For many people, backpacking is a more economical alternative to traditional travel that focuses on maximizing experiences while minimizing expenses.
And whether you’re staying at posh hotels and resorts or more budget-friendly hostels, making reservations in advance is a great way to save money.
From Expedia and Kayak to Priceline and Trivago, there are loads of different websites that offer a means to compare prices on accommodations. But Booking.com is the one website that we personally use the most.
They allow you to book your car rental, flights, and/or hotels all at once, with no hidden fees and a price match guarantee that ensures you’ll get the best deal possible.
3. Use an International SIM Card (a.k.a. eSIM)
Getting an international SIM card, also known as an eSIM, offers travelers to Australia a great way to stay connected without the roaming charges often incurred when using your smartphone abroad.
Holafly is one of the most popular providers for affordable and reliable eSIMs for travel to Australia, offering great customer service and a wide variety of plans to suit your needs.
Using an eSIM while backpacking is great for downloading maps, booking accommodations on the go, and arranging local activities or tours.
You can also use them for apps such as Google Maps or Moovit (to find the best routes and schedules for buses, trains, and trams), access local transport apps, and managing digital tickets and travel cards.
4. Pack Travel Tech Devices
SIM cards are just one of several pieces of travel technology that can help improve your experience while backpacking in Australia.
We highly recommend taking a reliable power bank that will keep your smartphone going strong, especially when you are relying on GPS or travel apps.
Consider purchasing a power bank with at least 10,000mAh capacity, so you can charge your phone multiple times.
Pair that with a universal travel adaptor, so that you can recharge your phone and power bank whenever you spend the night in a hotel or hostel along the way.
Other travel tech essentials we typically take along on international trips include electronic translators, noise cancelling headphones, and portable WiFi hotspots that help boost signals in remote locations.
5. Bring Extra Clothing for Layering
Extra clothing is generally considered one of the 10 essentials for hiking.
It’s not difficult to understand why it’s important for a place like Australia, where temperatures can swing by 30º to 40º in a single day.
Light, moisture-wicking clothing is essential for hiking during the day, when the sun can be blazing hot and temperatures can soar over 100ºF.
But a warm jacket is truly a must-have when you’re packing for a hike in the mountains or camping at night, preferably one that packs down easily and can protect you during inclement weather.
6. Sun Protection & Hydration
As the 6th-largest country in the world (7,688,287 square km), Australia features a wide range of temperatures and diverse climates.
Average temperatures in Summer (December to February) are around 29°C/84°F, but some areas experience extreme heat above 50°C/122°F during the hottest months!
So anyone who enjoys backpacking or day hiking should come prepared with sun protection, including a breathable long sleeve shirt, a hat that protects the neck, sunscreen to protect any other exposed skin from burning, and polarized sunglasses that block harmful UV rays.
You’ll also want to bring plenty of hydration, including a large water bottle (we use the Lifestraw Go Water Filter Bottle) or hydration pack, a water filtration system if you plan on hiking long distances, and possibly an electrolyte supplement such as Nuun or Propel.
7. Bring a First Aid Kit for Emergencies
Whether you’re packing for a simple day hike or assembling a list of backpacking gear for a multi-day trek, a First Aid kit is widely regarded as one of the most important hiking essentials.
Whether you’re hiking in national parks, rainforests, or other stretches of remote wilderness, there’s a wide range of options available.
For day hikes, a simple kit with bandages and pads, moleskin, antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, etc. may suit your needs just fine.
But for longer treks where help may not always be readily available, you can also find kits that include 1o0+ life-saving products, including survival gear such as paracord, tarps, space blankets, compass, fire starters, food supplies, multi-tools, and much more.
Wherever your outdoor adventures while backpacking in Australia may take you, we believe that having these essential items on hand can help to ensure you’ll have a trip to remember… for all the right reasons. –by Bret Love
