From the bustling cities like Sydney and Melbourne to the wild outback, there are many adventures to be had when you visit Australia. Some people go to Australia for an extended holiday, but if you’re going that far why not stay even longer and backpack through the country? Australia has an abundance of wildlife and different cultures to enjoy, so staying in one place for the whole of your trip might mean that you miss out on some of the amazing things that the country has to offer.

The weather in Australia is notoriously hot, meaning no matter what time of year you decide to visit it will likely be pleasant, and what is the best thing to do when it’s hot? Go to the beach! Australia has over 10,000 glorious beaches to visit, meaning you will be spoilt for choice on your backpacking adventure.

No matter what countries you intend to visit on your backpacking adventure, it is important that you take out travel insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen eventualities. Also, it is important to remember to regularly apply sunscreen throughout your time in Australia, as they have stronger UV rays that can cause severe skin damage.

Below is some information about our products, for which Terms & Conditions apply. Please visit the policy information hub for full details.

We also wanted to help you to best plan for your big Antipodean travelling experience, so you can spend your time booking flights, accommodation and excursions! 

Australia is a huge country, giving every budding traveller  many options of where to go and what to do when they backpack through it. Here are some of the top destinations to consider visiting on your trip:

  • Sydney
  • Melbourne
  • Byron Bay
  • Gold Coast
  • Airlie Beach
  • Cairns
  • Darwin
  • The Great Ocean Road
  • Fraser Island
  • Port Lincoln

A lot of people embark on their backpacking adventure on their own, and like to meet friends and travelling companions along the way. While Australia is a diverse country, and you could probably explore any area as a solo traveller, here are some of our top destinations if you’re visiting alone:

  • Sydney
  • The Gold Coast
  • Melbourne
  • Magnetic Island
  • Adelaide
  • Perth

Australia is known all over the world for its glorious beaches and long stretches of coastline. There’s no doubt if you’re traveling Australia that you’ll spend some of your time at the beach. Here are some of the top coastal destinations to visit whilst you’re in Australia:

  • Aireys Inlet, Victoria
  • Burleigh Heads, Queensland
  • Byron Bay, New South Wales
  • Broome, Western Australia
  • Cape Tribulation, Queensland
  • Port Douglas, Queensland
  • Yamba, New South Wales

The accommodation you choose really can change the feel of your trip. Choosing the right accommodation as a solo traveller might be different to those travelling in a couple or as a group.

Hostels are perfect for all types of traveller, alone or in a group. Some hostels are advertised as perfect for solo travellers, and can be a great place to make friends and meet future travelling companions. Look into any hostel that you are considering, read reviews and look at their website and social media pages. This will give you the best idea of whether or not that hostel is somewhere that you will enjoy.

Hotels can be a pricier option, but you will often find yourself in more luxury than that of a hostel. If you are looking to take a break from staying in a dormitory-style room, a hotel can be the next best thing. Most hotels have different standards of room, so if you search properly, you will be able to find something that suits you and your budget.

Air BnB offers a wide range of accommodation types at a wide range of prices. It is well worth looking to see if there are any affordable Air BnBs in the areas that you wish to visit, you might find yourself surprised with the quality and price of some of them.

Travelling accommodation is also another great option for those of you looking to save some money whilst travelling. In Australia, like many countries, you can travel on night buses to get to different destinations. 

When travelling and backpacking, it is usually to explore and see something new. In Australia there are so many stunning and interesting places to visit. We have pulled together some of the top unique areas in Australia to visit when you go backpacking:

  • The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
  • Daintree Rainforest, Queensland
  • Fraser Island
  • Whitsundays
  • Twelve Apostles, Great Western Road
  • Kangaroo Island, South Australia
  • Barossa Valley (wine vineyards)
  • Lake Gairdner, Gawler Ranges, South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Kakadu National Park

Travelling out of a small wheelie bag or a large backpack can be challenging, but usually those who travel light find it liberating to not have to worry too much about what to wear each day. We’ve put together a list of things you should consider packing for a trip around Australia:

  • 3-4 t-shirts/tops
  • 2-3 light blouses/tops
  • 1 evening outfit
  • 1 jumper/zip up for colder weather
  • 2 pairs of trousers
  • 2 pairs of shorts
  • 1 swimwear outfit
  • 2 pairs of shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • 5-7 pairs of underwear
  • 5-7 pairs of socks
  • 1 pair leggings/tracksuit bottoms
  • Phone & camera chargers
  • Australian plug converters
  • Any medicine you might need
  • Sun cream
  • Details of your travel insurance policy
  • Essentials such as Passport, money and ID

Australia is home to many vibrant cities. If you’re interested in exploring these on your travels, like so many people are, here are some of the top cities you should consider:

  • Sydney
  • Melbourne
  • Brisbane
  • Perth
  • Canberra
  • Hobart
  • Darwin

Because Australia is such a large country, different parts of the country experience different weather at the same time. Although, despite this, between September-November and March-May are said to be the best months to explore Australia.

Australia on a whole experiences lovely weather regularly, so most times of year are enjoyable when on a trip. Their summer falls in December, so if you’re after extremely warm temperatures, then that’s the time to visit.

If you’re planning a backpacking holiday, you’ll understand the importance of being prepared for the unexpected whilst you’re away. The nature of backpacking is to explore the world, travel far and wide and sometimes just see where the wind takes you, so, this can mean that things don’t necessarily always go to plan.

Our Backpacker Travel Insurance is suitable for those that are aged 35 and under and plan on travelling a country, or bigger world adventure in one trip. For full details of the terms and conditions that apply, refer to the policy document.

Many bank accounts and credit cards come with some level of travel insurance cover. While some may be comprehensive, they may not cover you for everything you have planned whilst you’re away, particularly if you have adventurous plans or unusual excursions booked. 

Make sure you look into the travel insurance policy that you have before every trip, to make sure it’s suitable for you and your plans.

Purchasing a holiday using a credit card means you are often protected by Consumer Protection cover. In most cases, it allows you to get your money returned to you if your provider defaults and you cannot travel.

If you have booked a holiday through a tour operator or travel agent, it may be worth checking if you are covered by ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) or ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s License). This type of cover means that your package holiday is protected if, for example, the travel company providing your holiday arrangements or the travel agent themselves fail financially or close down.

Your travel agents will be able to tell you if your holiday is ABTA or ATOL protected. Alternatively, use the links provided to check your cover at home.

Having a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will entitle you to the government-provided healthcare of the European Union country you are visiting and lowering the medical costs you would normally expect to pay. Although this is a good addition to take on holiday, it should not be seen as a replacement for travel insurance which could provide you with further protection and peace of mind whilst you are abroad. Our travel insurance policies can protect you against many unforeseen eventualities.
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HealthHero 24/7 GP telephone and video consultations
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Our travel insurance policies provide you access to HealthHero – a 24/7 GP telephone and video consultation service* – which connects you with a UK GP to provide the reassurance and professional medical advice you need while you’re travelling abroad.
 
*For video consultations, time restrictions apply and UK Bank Holidays are excluded.
If you fancy skiing, snowboarding or tobogganing on your next holiday, our Winter Sports and Ski insurance can provide you with cover, so you can start a new hobby or work on your skills with confidence.
With our Annual travel insurance policy, you’re covered for an unlimited number of trips up to 31 days in duration over a 12-month period. You could experience the glitz of Las Vegas, the history of Rome and the beautiful scenery of Bali on the same policy.
Just taking the one holiday this year? Our Single Trip travel insurance can protect you for up to 180 days. Whether you’re taking a city break to Paris or a relaxing beach break in the Algarve, cover is available.
Hiring a car on your holiday can be a fantastic way of exploring the local area. With our Car Hire Excess Insurance policy, you’re protected against the risk of a costly excess if the unexpected happens.
If you want to get the adrenaline pumping on your holiday, then travel insurance that covers sports activities is essential. With our sports travel insurance, you’re covered for scuba diving, bungee jumping and much more.
Whether you’re backpacking in Asia, seeing the sights in Australia or driving down Route 66 in America, our worldwide travel insurance can provide you with cover.
From the bustling capital of Bangkok to the picture-perfect beaches of Khao Lak, Thailand’s a paradise for explorers; our travel insurance for Thailand can protect you as you visit this beautiful country.
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Alternative Cover Options For Pre-existing Medical Conditions

If you have a pre-existing medical condition that we are unable cover under our own policies, you may be able to obtain an alternative travel insurance policy through one of the providers featured in the MoneyHelper directory of specialist travel insurance providers for people with serious medical conditions. Do take time to study and compare the terms and conditions to ensure you have the cover you need. To contact the Money Advice Service for further details of the directory

Call: 0800 138 7777 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
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Email: traveldirectory@maps.org.uk