Gap Year Guide to Australia
It’s one of the hottest destinations on the backpacking radar and each year it welcomes a large number of travellers waiting to enjoy everything it has to offer. Australia, the land down under, with it rainforest, desert, mountain and ocean, is vast. Here’s how best to make the most of it:
Where To Start?
There are many places to kick start your gap year adventure in Australia but Sydney is probably the best. Spend a few days there before taking an internal flight to Alice Springs to do a three or four day safari in the Red Centre. From there why not go on to Brisbane and get a Greyhound from there to Cairns. From Cairns you can see the pearls in Australia’s crown, Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.
How Best To Fund?
Australia, being English speaking, means that there are plenty of opportunities to work and pay your way while travelling. Due to the recession office jobs can be tough to get in Australia but picking up casual work on farms, fruit picking for example, is somewhat easier. A lot of the volunteer organisations in Australia have great specials and can arrange placements for you. Perhaps these are worth checking out?
What Are The Must-Sees?
A continent in itself, Australia dwarfs Europe in terms of its size. Don’t worry about having to tackle everything the country has to offer. Starting in Sydney make sure you check out the major landmarks like the Opera House, moving on to Alice Springs, Uluru is a must. Another fun place to check out on your gap year [http://www.gapdaemon.com/] is Cairns where you can make your way out to Cape Tribulation and the Atherton Tabelands.
When Should I Go and How Long Should I Spend?
Australia is accommodating throughout the year (bear in mind the seasons are in reverse to what they are in the UK however!), but if you want to make the most of it set aside a few months at least. The east coast alone takes a good month to six weeks to see properly, try and fit in the beautiful expanse of Western Australia as well. You should reserve at least a week for the Outback too. Your budget will probably dictate how much time you can spend in certain areas.
Is Melbourne Worth It?
Melbourne is one of those places that is often missed on the backpacker trail. Compared to Sydney, which has all the glamour, fame and aesthetics, Melbourne is by far the more culturally superior. From street art to great nightlife, from comedy nights to art exhibitions, the city is vibrant to say the least. Sport is also central to the action in this city. There’s probably no better place to watch a game of cricket on your gap year [http://www.gapdaemon.com/]!
Where To Start?
There are many places to kick start your gap year adventure in Australia but Sydney is probably the best. Spend a few days there before taking an internal flight to Alice Springs to do a three or four day safari in the Red Centre. From there why not go on to Brisbane and get a Greyhound from there to Cairns. From Cairns you can see the pearls in Australia’s crown, Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.
How Best To Fund?
Australia, being English speaking, means that there are plenty of opportunities to work and pay your way while travelling. Due to the recession office jobs can be tough to get in Australia but picking up casual work on farms, fruit picking for example, is somewhat easier. A lot of the volunteer organisations in Australia have great specials and can arrange placements for you. Perhaps these are worth checking out?
What Are The Must-Sees?
A continent in itself, Australia dwarfs Europe in terms of its size. Don’t worry about having to tackle everything the country has to offer. Starting in Sydney make sure you check out the major landmarks like the Opera House, moving on to Alice Springs, Uluru is a must. Another fun place to check out on your gap year [http://www.gapdaemon.com/] is Cairns where you can make your way out to Cape Tribulation and the Atherton Tabelands.
When Should I Go and How Long Should I Spend?
Australia is accommodating throughout the year (bear in mind the seasons are in reverse to what they are in the UK however!), but if you want to make the most of it set aside a few months at least. The east coast alone takes a good month to six weeks to see properly, try and fit in the beautiful expanse of Western Australia as well. You should reserve at least a week for the Outback too. Your budget will probably dictate how much time you can spend in certain areas.
Is Melbourne Worth It?
Melbourne is one of those places that is often missed on the backpacker trail. Compared to Sydney, which has all the glamour, fame and aesthetics, Melbourne is by far the more culturally superior. From street art to great nightlife, from comedy nights to art exhibitions, the city is vibrant to say the least. Sport is also central to the action in this city. There’s probably no better place to watch a game of cricket on your gap year [http://www.gapdaemon.com/]!