Useful Information for Backpacking Australia: East Coast

Included: all your accommodation for the 28 days (hostels, two nights camping on K'gari, two nights aboard the boat in the Whitsundays and two overnight coach journeys), plus 22 meals, every activity on the itinerary, all transport between destinations, and your group leader for the whole trip. There are no local payments and nothing to pay on the ground.

Not included: international flights, travel insurance (which is compulsory), your Australian visa, airport transfers, and spending money for the meals that are not listed, drinks, optional activities and shopping.

The minimum age is 18. Travellers aged 16-17 are welcome, but only alongside a family member acting as their guardian for the trip.

Beyond that there is no upper limit. Groups on this trip are typically 18 to 40s and come from all over the world. It is a backpacker-style trip, with hostels, multi-share rooms, camping on K'gari, overnight coaches and some big nights out, so it suits people who are up for that.

Your group leader will email you around two weeks before you fly, with everything you need for day 1.

If anything comes up before then, or you need to reach them once you are in Australia, get in touch with us and we will put you together.

We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.

Arrive on the start date if you can. That is when most of the group lands, and there is nothing scheduled during the day, so you have time to settle in and shake off the jet lag before you meet everyone in the evening. The group's welcome dinner and drinks come the following night.

Want to explore on your own first or ease into the time difference? You are welcome to arrive a day or two early.

Airport transfers are not included on our Australia trips, at either end, so you make your own way to the first night's accommodation, and to the airport when the tour finishes. Australian airports are generally close to the city and well served by train, taxi and rideshare, so it is an easy trip.

Once you have booked your flights, log in to the Manage My Booking area and drop in your arrival details so we know when you are landing. If you would like a hand arranging a transfer, just ask us.

Heading off after the tour? Your group leader can help you sort onward travel and anything else you need.

We've got the big stuff covered: accommodation, transport, activities and some meals are all included. So your spending money is just for the fun extras:

• Extra meals & drinks
• Souvenirs & shopping
• Onward travel
• Optional activities (like skydiving or kayaking with dolphins)

Tip: if you're keen to pack in more adventure, bring extra cash for those add-ons.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Australia and New Zealand, and paying by contactless, Apple Pay or Google Pay is the norm, so you will need very little cash.

We recommend a Wise travel card. It works almost everywhere, lets you withdraw cash at ATMs, and you can convert money to Australian or New Zealand dollars in advance to keep foreign exchange fees down.

Planning to work after the trip? You will need somewhere to be paid. Wise can give you Australian or New Zealand account details that employers can pay into, or you can open an account with a local bank once you arrive.

Can’t convince your mates? No worries! Most of our travellers come solo, and it’s one of the best ways to experience a new destination.

You’ll join an instant crew, meet amazing people, and make new friends from day one. Plus, you can keep your travel plans flexible and fully your own.

Ready to roll solo? You won’t be alone for long.

Yes! Travel insurance is a must for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof (on your phone or printed) to your group leader when you arrive.

Need to grab a policy? Get a quote and buy travel insurance here.

There is no bad time to travel the east coast, but it changes with the seasons. Sydney and the south are warm from about November to March and cool in winter (June to August), while tropical Queensland, from the Whitsundays up to Cairns, is warm all year.

The far north has a wet season from roughly November to April, with heavy downpours, humidity and a risk of cyclones, and marine stingers are in the water in the warmer months, so you swim in a stinger suit or netted areas. From May to October it is drier and sunnier up north, the most popular time for the reef.

Our Australia weather guide goes month by month.

Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.

Groups on our Australia trips run between 20 and 28 people, with a maximum of 28. Everyone is aged 18 to 40s and they come from all over the world, so the mix is different on every departure.

Most people book on their own, so if you are travelling solo you are in very good company. Your group leader will email you around two weeks before you fly, and you will be able to meet the rest of the group from there.

No, tipping is not expected in Australia. Hospitality staff are paid a proper minimum wage, and prices already include tax, so the price you see is the price you pay.

If you have had great service in a restaurant, leaving around 10% or rounding up the bill is appreciated but never required. There is no need to tip in bars, cafés or taxis, and nobody will think twice if you do not.

Yes. Tap water in Australian towns and cities is treated and safe to drink, so bring a refillable bottle and top it up as you go. Most hostels, parks and beaches have taps or water fountains.

The only exceptions are signed non-drinking taps, water from rivers, lakes and creeks, and some remote campsites or islands where water is tank-fed: follow the signs or ask your group leader. In the tropical north you will drink far more than you expect, so keep your bottle full.

Your phone will work, but roaming can be expensive, so most travellers buy a local prepaid SIM or an eSIM. Telstra has the widest coverage in regional and remote areas; Optus and Vodafone are usually cheaper and fine in cities and along the main coast. You will need your passport to activate a SIM.

Coverage is good in towns but can drop out on long drives, remote islands, national parks and out at sea, so download maps and anything important before you go. Most hostels have Wi-Fi.

Yes, Australia is one of the easier countries to travel in, with low crime and good healthcare. The real risks are natural, so:

• Take the sun seriously: UV levels are very high, so wear a hat and sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
• Swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches.
• In tropical Queensland, follow warning signs for marine stingers and crocodiles.
• Keep your distance from wildlife and never feed it.

Check the UK government's travel advice for Australia before you go.