Melbourne and Sydney offer local and international backpackers a unique backpacking experience. The cities themselves have a great culture to experience when staying long term, but they also provide a great base while you explore other parts of New South Wales and Victoria. They also are very well connected, providing many transportation options to continue your journey beyond these states. So, if you’re planning to backpack either of these beautiful Australian cities, then be sure to keep reading.
Melbourne
Melbourne has been voted the world’s most liveable city (again!) - and for good reason too. It’s vibrant culture of live music, laneways, graffiti, good coffee and outer city suburbs each with their own character awaits you.
Staying in St Kilda (Melbourne's free going beach suburb) is a good suggestion. St Kilda is unique and just a 10-minute tram ride from the city. It is right by the beach, packed with markets, cafes, bars and lots of live music.
When in Melbourne, heading to the Great Ocean Road is a great place to start. As one of Australia's most famous stretches of beach, the choices are a plenty. You can do a Day Tour, Overnight Tour or a 3 Day and 2 Night Tour that also takes you to the Grampians National Park.
Be sure to check out Eureka Skydeck in the City of Melbourne- offering awesome 360 degree views of Melbourne and its surrounds. The Aquarium, Queen Victoria Market, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the inner-city lane ways are other sights not to miss.
Head over to the Melbourne's north side for a taste of bohemian counterculture. Collingwood, Brunswick, and Fitzroy are home to a smorgasbord of international, vegetarian and vegan restaurants, cool bars, live music and quirky shops (and quirky locals!). - A great place for op shopping and picking up bargain clothes and accessories.
Melbourne to Great Ocean Road
The great ocean road is one of Victoria’s most visited places. With so much to see and do it truly isn’t any wonder. Although mainly popular for the twelve apostles, the great ocean road offers some amazing volcanic lakes and craters, rainforests, coastal trails and wildlife as well as some truly Australian beaches. So, whether you are travelling in winter or summer, there is always something to see and do when visiting the great ocean road. A must see for all backpackers and tourists alike.
Melbourne to Sydney
Melbourne to Sydney is one of the East Coast of Australia’s lesser travelled routes, making it a must do for those wanting to explore the unexplored. As you follow the coast towards Sydney from the South of Melbourne, you will come across the legendary Phillip Island - home of Australia's best surf beaches and the world-famous Penguin Parade. Following the coast, make time to visit Wilson's Promontory National Park - a 30km national park with many hiking trails, heaps of beautiful and friendly wildlife, and coastal lookouts facing Tasmania.
Continuing north, the 90 Mile Beach is home to uninhabited surf beaches and gorgeous sea side towns. Lakes Entrance, Mallacoota & Bateman's Bay are worth a visit.
Sydney
There is so much more to Sydney than the Harbour Bridge, The Opera House, and Bondi Beach. Darling Harbour is one of the best locations to stay in Sydney, it’s positively bustling with harbour side cafes, bars, shops, an IMAX Theatre, an outstanding Aquarium & even Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. The Sydney Eye Tower is also worth visiting.
When the sun is out in all its force - take a leisurely stroll down the Coogee to Bondi Beach walk, being sure to stop at the stunning beaches along your way. If learning to surf is your thing, Surf Camp Australia offer overnight surf camps just south of Sydney.
An hour drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains is another a must see! The Blue Mountains National Park is very popular among backpackers and locals alike, with day tours departing daily.
Trendy and fun suburbs of Sydney we suggest you take time to explore are Manly Beach, Glebe, and Surry Hills. A ferry to Manly is cheap, fun and a great way to explore the city from a different type of vessel.
Sydney to Byron
Many of Australia’s most amazing hidden surf beaches are located between Sydney and Byron Bay. If you have just a little more time than the average backpacker (most tend to do the overnight 15-hour bus, direct from Sydney to Byron Bay), stop by the chilled-out suburbs of Port Macquarie and the amazing Coffs Harbour.
Did you know that Byron Bay is the most easterly point in Australia? It’s a surf side haven for travellers, the many down to earth locals, tasty organic food, live music, markets and an ‘alternative’ lifestyle.
Nimbin is another place it would be a shame to miss. It was once a completely self-sufficient hippie commune, hidden in the lush rainforest. Today it’s become a popular insight into the alternative lifestyle that embodies Byron Bay and its surrounds. Try out a day tour and experience the waterfalls, the rainforest, the popular ‘Hemp Bar’ and the Marijuana Museum (something you won’t see every day!).
Posted By DamienK
Updated : 12th November 2021 | Words : 855 | Views : 2737
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