Travel news: Australia beyond the East Coast - what not to miss (and what to skip)
Everyone travels Australia the same way… Are they doing it wrong? From the overlooked corners of New South Wales, here is what you should avoid if you don't want to make the same mistakes as the average backpacker.
Travel News Blitz’s Maisie Sharp-Fehr writes about her thoughts…
Don’t skip New South Wales
Most people travelling the East Coast of Australia forget New South Wales exists.
The trip does not begin and end with Sydney, and one of the most common mistakes is treating it as a stopover.
The coastal town, Byron Bay, is a must with the most stunning beaches and alternative setting.
If you're looking for something quieter, the Blue Mountains is famous for its dramatic sandstone cliffs that provide a world-class hiking experience.
If you travel further down south, you will find the Snowy Mountains where you can ski from the months of June to October.
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The East Coast trap
Following certain routes – there are many incredible places off the ‘backpacker highway’ which are a must see, such as Magnetic Island in North Queensland.
Don't have a strict time scale – plans will change, you might want to stay in places for longer or shorter periods so don't get ahead of yourself booking everything before you go (but be warned, in peak periods, hostels do get booked up quickly).
Costs – Although places like Byron Bay and the Whitsundays are beautiful, prices are expensive so make sure you budget carefully.
The Gold Coast – tourists don’t realise that the Gold Coast is infamous for holding ‘schoolies’ (post-exam celebrations for high school leavers), meaning the area has become rather expensive and party orientated. Many will argue you don’t need a huge amount of time there to see everything.
Spiders, snakes, sharks and dingos
Australia's ‘everything will kill you’ reputation is very much exaggerated.
You will probably encounter at some point on your trip a snake or a spider, especially if you are camping on Fraser Island – which should definitely be on your itinerary.
Just remember, most of the time they are more frightened of you than you are of them.
As long as you have your wits about you, ensuring to check bedding, bags and shoes it is highly unlikely anything will happen.
To put it in perspective, more people die each year from falling coconuts than sharks so if that's something you're worried about don't be.
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What to avoid
Overplanning the route - Australia is huge, allowing time and allowing flexibility.
Relying on the ‘backpacker highway’ – undeniably, there is a common route to the east coast but it doesn't mean you need to follow it. There will be things you want to see and places that you might not.
Underestimating distance – a ‘quick trip’ can turn into a day of travelling, make sure you look at the map carefully and plan in advance how you are getting to places.
Don't ignore the seasonal differences – for example, yes you will get a nice tan if you go in December; but don't forget it is also the rainy season, meaning there is a higher chance of trips being cancelled.
Top tips for travelling Australia
Mix cities with nature – Melbourne and Sydney are great, but so are National Parks where you can get closer to the native wildlife as you may even see a wild koala.
Budget realistically – Australia isn't like travelling South East Asia, it's expensive, so make sure you're budgeting and not getting carried away at 7-Eleven.
Socialise, socialise and socialise – this cannot be stressed enough, a lot of people you meet travelling the east coast you will likely bump into later down the line, as many take a similar route. You never know you might make a friend for life.
Have fun – Australia offers such diverse landscapes that we do not get in the UK, go to the beach to watch the sunrise, go surfing, take advantage of where you are and have fun.
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