I live here now. But at one point, I also was a backpacker, traveling around the country. Heres some seriously killer spots. Aus is a big country, so this is in no way a comprehensive list
Map
Sections
8
Info
Hotels
Tour Option
Must Sees/Do
Australian Fashion and Must Haves
Getting Around
Info
How I moved to Australia as an American :)
Moving to Australia as an American: Why I Chose Melbourne & How to Immigrate from the US
Hotels
Some fave spots to stay. If you prefer Hostels, check the other section
Glamping. do NOT overlook Exmouth / rural Western Australia. You can ethically swim with HUMPBACK WHALES HERE okay. Ive done it and it was awesome
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, Australia
I Love QT Hotels
QT Gold Coast
A good Melbourne Option
Boutique Hotel in Melbourne | Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders
Another great option
QT Perth | Luxury Boutique Hotel Accommodation
Great spot in Hobart, right near the Salamanca Market
Moss Hotel
Coogee is a great place to stay if you want to be near the beach (trust me, beach > city center)
Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach - Coogee, Australia
Good Hotel option if you'd rather be near the opera house
InterContinental Sydney | Luxury Hotel in Sydney
Great brunch too
The Langham, Melbourne
Hobart Option
The Henry Jones Art Hotel
Really good budget option. The rooms are small but really nice and modern. Each room has aircon. Skews younger. I stay here when Im not with friends but want to be near the beach
The Baxley Bondi, Sydney, Australia
Boutique stay in Melbs
Adelphi Hotel, Melbourne, Australia
Sunshine Coast
Loea Boutique Hotel, Maroochydore, Australia
Byron Bay- laidback Aussie lifestyle
Atlantic Byron Bay, Byron Bay, Australia
Newcastle. I lvoe QT. I stayed here a few months ago. Theres a giant moon in the lobby
QT Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
Great perth option
Alex Hotel, Perth, Australia
Tour Option
If you'd rather not think at all- try a group tour
Australia Tours, Trips & Holiday Packages | Contiki AU
Perth To broome Bus. Up the West Coast. I did this in 2018 :)
Perth to Broome Tour | Perth Bus Tour | Why Not Bus
More upscale
Southern Capitals - City Meets Bush
a more mature tour option
Australia Tour Packages & Australia Travel Guide | Trafalgar
G adventures is my preferred tour company
Australia Tours & Travel - G Adventures
Midrange Tour option. Skews younger but not as party focused as Contiki
Australia Tours | Topdeck Travel
A more upscale and mature tour option
Australia Tour Packages & Australia Travel Guide | Trafalgar
Okay HANDS DOWN. This tour is AMAZING. I wish Id known about it when I went to WA. WA has the most amazing sights (in the world in my opinion) but its remote and hard af to get to. Make it easier on yourself. Cannot recommend these sights enough!
Walk Western Australia's Karijini & Ningaloo Reef
Must Sees/Do
Some top Attractions, some you'll definitely know, some you may not
My Vlog about Darwin (top end)
Darwin Top End Vlog (Litchfield, Kakadu National Park and tips for visiting the Northern Territory)
Interested in Perth? I. made a video on the subject!
Another Aussie brand with cute clothes. Its not very size inclusive though
KOOKAÏ Australia - Shop Women's Fashion & Clothing Online
I love this brand
PARADISO SUNDRESS
Famous AF Bougie Australian Soap
Formulations for Skin, Hair & Body | Aesop Australia
Another bougie product- chocolates
Koko Black – Handcrafted Premium Chocolate – Koko Black ...
Getting Around
How to get the most out of your Aus Trip
You can buy a travel pass to use to travel the coasts
Greyhound Australia
Specific to Sydney- good way to see a lot at once
Big Bus Tours Sydney | Hop on Hop off Sydney Bus Tours
Ive used Jucy to travel around (campervans). Contain beds, stoves etc- all you need if you want to DIY
Campervan Hire & Car Rental Australia | JUCY Rentals AU
If you still want to travel around but would rather not camp/bus
Car Hire and Car Rental Deals in Australia - Hertz Rent a Car
Another camper option. Australia only
Hire a Caravan, Motorhome or Campervan from $40pn :: Camplify
Australian ESim
Brightline eSIM for Australia - Klook
Australia's national train system is ….bad. Many trains dont connect interstate because historically all the railtracks were made in different sizes. 🙃. Its actually worse then the USA's! But if you really want to give it a go check out the info her...
Australia Trains - Book High-Speed Train Tickets in Australia
Not really a “transport” option. I mean, like yes, it is. But the train is more of the event itself. Its a luxurious experience rather than just a way to get from Point A to B
Official Site of The Ghan | Journey Beyond Rail
Must Eats
Some favorite restaurants. Obviously Australia is huge so no chance this will be a comprehensive list
A classic Melbourne spot
Chin Chin
The closest thing we have to a Michelin starred restaurant in Melbourne
Attica
Another once in a lifetime experience. Eat next to Uluru
Sounds of Silence
Eat inside the MONA
Faro
Gold Coast
Rick Shores
Classic Aussie view
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
Darwin - Asian Fusion
Hanuman Restaurant Darwin
Deliciousness
Lee Ho Fook
Hostels
Some fave hostel stays
A famous Cairns hostel. Big party hostel so beware
Gilligan's Hotel & Resort
In an old convent in Melbourne. Conveniently right near one of the main train stations and Melbourne Museum
The Nunnery Accommodation, Melbourne, Australia
Dont let the name fool you. Its a unique stay
YHA Fremantle Prison, Fremantle, Australia
Magnetic Island is a must do. heres a cheaper way to see it
Nomads Magnetic Island, Nelly Bay, Australia
Selina is a great hostel chain. Good budget option
Selina Brisbane, Brisbane, Australia
I stayed here when I got my scuba license. So good
Dougies Backpackers Resort, Port Douglas, Australia
Super famous hostel in Byron. Have traditional rooms or tents for a cheaper long term stay. Very nomadic art vibes
