Backpacking

Western Australia is a beautiful state that is bursting with accommodation, buses, coach tours, and attractions to appeal to backpackers who want to escape the city and experience the real “outback” Australia.

 

Western Australia has so much to offer including: the fantastic laid back lifestyle and great nightlife of Broome (not to mention the brilliant beaches, spectacular sunsets and beautiful scenery); the amazing swimming, snorkelling and SCUBA experiences on the Ningaloo Reef (which is just as beautiful and easier to access than the Great Barrier Reef); and the wineries and surfing at Margaret River.
 

Perth is a long way from other major cities, but that’s part of its attraction. The best way to get here is by plane. The main domestic airlines in Australia are QANTAS and Virgin Blue. Both are competitive and offer regular special prices so we suggest you get quotes from both. Our colleagues at Great Aussie Holidays offer packaged airline, hotel, and backpacker deals.

 

Alternatively check out the travel agents specialising in backpacker travel. The main ones we recommend are Student Flights and STA Travel. For internal flights and packages around WA see Skywest Holidays. Skywest has flights to and from Albany, Broome, Carnarvon, Darwin, Esperance, Exmouth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Leinster, Leonora, Newman, Perth and Port Hedland.

 

If you have a yearning for wide open spaces, you can always drive across the Nullabor Plain; the longest stretch of straight road in Australia. Driving all day, it usually takes at least 4 days to get across the country. But if you’re going to drive please take your time, stop and see the many attractions on the way.

 

If you want to see the countryside without having to drive then try the Indian Pacific train. It departs from Sydney bypassing through Adelaide and then onto Perth. The train offers special student and backpacker rates. It is a fun option to see Australia and mingle with fellow travellers for the four days. The Indian Pacific departs Sydney on Saturday and Wednesday (through Adelaide on Sunday and Thursday), arriving in Perth on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.

 

For more information about the Indian Pacific and fares please visit www.gsr.com.au . International backpackers are eligible for The Great Southern Railway Pass which allows unlimited travel on the Indian Pacific, the Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin), and the Overlander (Melbourne to Adelaide).

Travelling by bus is another option to cross this great country. Greyhound buses offer a variety of passes that allow you choose when and where you travel, in a set time frame. The Best of the West pass allows you to travel around the coast of WA and through the centre of Australia and the best part is you can take a year to do it. Or travel from Perth to Broome; take your time the pass is valid for 183 days. Greyhound also has options for all major towns in Australia. As with the trains, there are special student and backpacker rates available. For information on Greyhound timetables and fares click here .

 

If travelling from Adelaide, an interesting option might be with Nullabor Traveller. A tour that takes you through the great attractions on the way that are often missed; like the Great Australian Bight and Cape Le Grand National Park. For more information visit www.the-traveller.com.au .

 

There are a many backpacker accommodation options throughout Western Australia and our Visitor Centres can help you find accommodation in each town. A really great website, not just for accommodation but tours, employment and much more is www.backpackingwa.com.

 

YHA Australia has hostels throughout WA. For a list of accommodation options please click here www.yha.com.au . YHA also offers a number tours, travel insurance, phone cards, a backpacker magazine, and other discounts.

 

VIP Backpacker accommodation is available in Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Esperance, Fremantle, Geraldton, Perth and Walpole. The membership card provides you with a number of discounts, for more information please visit www.vipbackpackers.com .

 

Membership of YHA Australia and VIP Backpackers often offers you access to great discounts on the member accommodation, tours, and bus companies like TransWA and Greyhound.

 

Many backpacker tours operate as a hop on hop off service; which means that you can choose where you want to stay for what period of time. If you want to spend more time in one place, than you had originally planned, and stay less in another then you can.

 

Easyrider Tours offer a variety of tours from Albany to Broome, Perth to Darwin, and everything in between. You can do the tours as stated (i.e. 7 days) or take your time and spend longer in the towns; your pass is valid for six months. Easyrider can also help you book accommodation for your first nights stay in each place. For more information please visit www.easyridertours.com.au .

 

Western Travelbug operates tours through the South West region. If you want to escape to the renowned Margaret River region or the beautiful beaches of Esperance, check out the hop on hop off tours at www.travelbug.com.au .

 

Active Safaris don’t run hop on hop off tours, but they can be just as fantastic. Tours are all inclusive so the only thing you need to worry about is having a great time. To view their tours visit www.activesafaris.com.au .

 

Planet Tours is another tour company running all inclusive backpacker tours. The tours run to Broome, Exmouth, Monkey Mia, and throughout the South West. For more information about the tours and prices check out their website www.planettours.com.au .

 

There are other great options to help you explore this great State. TransWA offer discounts to backpackers and can be a good option to explore some of WA without a tour. However, they only travel as far North as Kalbarri on the Coast and Meekatharra Inland. For fares and destinations please visit www.transwa.wa.gov.au .

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