{"id":7676,"date":"2019-02-22T20:47:09","date_gmt":"2019-02-22T19:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/?p=7676"},"modified":"2026-10-28T07:48:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T07:48:38","slug":"backpacking-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Australia, with its vast unspoiled spaces ranging from beautiful beaches to deserts, by way of the rainforest, the famous &#8220;outback&#8221; and the Great Barrier Reef, is a true paradise for nature lovers, who can see creatures and landscapes found nowhere else in the world here, but also cutting-edge cities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I lived in Australia for two years, traveling around the country for about six months. I&#8217;ve been to all the most popular destinations but also to places that are far less touristy. <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/-7UDxhIXEZc\">Here<\/a> you&#8217;ll find a very short video of my life in Australia (in Italian, but you can turn on the subtitles).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re planning a backpacking trip, an epic road trip or simply gathering information to organize a more comfortable tour, in this guide you&#8217;ll find everything you need.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<div id=\"quick-menu\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Quick menu<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#when\">When to visit Australia<\/a><\/li>\r\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#doc\">Documents and vaccinations to enter Australia<\/a><\/li>\r\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#what\">What to do and see in Australia<\/a>\r\n    <details>\r\n      <summary>Destinations<\/summary>\r\n      <ul>\r\n        <li>\r\n          <details>\r\n            <summary><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#vic\">Victoria<\/a><\/summary>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#melbourne\">Melbourne<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#phillip-island\">Phillip Island<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#wilsons-promontory\">Wilsons Promontory National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#yarra-valley\">Yarra Valley<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#great-ocean-road\">Great Ocean Road<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#grampians\">Grampians National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/details>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        <li>\r\n          <details>\r\n            <summary><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#new\">New South Wales<\/a><\/summary>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#sydney\">Sydney<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#blue-mountains\">Blue Mountains<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#jervis-bay\">Jervis Bay<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#canberra\">Canberra<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#snowy-mountains\">Snowy Mountains<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#byron-bay\">Byron Bay<\/a><\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/details>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        <li>\r\n          <details>\r\n            <summary><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#queen\">Queensland<\/a><\/summary>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#brisbane\">Brisbane<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#gold-coast\">Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#noosa\">Noosa<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#fraser-island\">Rainbow Beach and K\u2019gari (Fraser Island)<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#agnes-water-1770\">Agnes Water \/ 1770<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#airlie-beach-whitsundays\">Airlie Beach and Whitsundays Islands<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#townsville-magnetic-island\">Townsville \/ Magnetic Island<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#cairns\">Cairns<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#daintree-forest\">Daintree Forest<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#lawn-hill\">Lawn Hill National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/details>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        <li>\r\n          <details>\r\n            <summary><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#north\">Northern Territory<\/a><\/summary>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#darwin\">Darwin<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#kakadu\">Kakadu National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#litchfield\">Litchfield National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#nitmiluk\">Nitmiluk (Katherine) National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#elsey\">Elsey National Park (Mataranka)<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#devils-marbles\">Devils Marbles<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#alice-springs\">Alice Springs<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#west-macdonnell\">West MacDonnell National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#watarrka\">Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#uluru-kata-tjuta\">Ayers Rock (Uluru) and Kata Tjuta National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/details>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        <li>\r\n          <details>\r\n            <summary><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#west\">Western Australia<\/a><\/summary>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#perth\">Perth<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#margaret-river\">Margaret River<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#albany\">Albany<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#esperance\">Esperance<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#nambung\">Nambung National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#kalbarri\">Kalbarri National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#shark-bay\">Shark Bay<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#steep-point\">Steep Point<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#exmouth-ningaloo\">Exmouth \/ Cape Range \/ Ningaloo Reef<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#karijini\">Karijini National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#eighty-mile-beach\">Eighty Mile Beach<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#broome\">Broome<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#gibb-river-road\">The Gibb River Road<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#great-northern-highway\">The Great Northern Highway<\/a><\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/details>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        <li>\r\n          <details>\r\n            <summary><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#south\">South Australia<\/a><\/summary>\r\n            <ul>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#adelaide\">Adelaide<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#kangaroo-island\">Kangaroo Island<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#york-peninsula\">Yorke Peninsula<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#wine-regions-sa\">Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#flinders-ranges\">Flinders Ranges National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#gammon-ranges\">Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park<\/a><\/li>\r\n              <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#coober-pedy\">Coober Pedy<\/a><\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n          <\/details>\r\n        <\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#tas\">Tasmania<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/details>\r\n  <\/li>\r\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#iti\">Recommended itineraries in Australia<\/a><\/li>\r\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#how\">How to get around Australia<\/a><\/li>\r\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#cost\">Backpacking Australia: costs<\/a><\/li>\r\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#safe\">Backpacking Australia: safety<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/australia-en\/backpacking-australia\/#quick-menu\" style=\"position: fixed; right: 18px; bottom: 18px; z-index: 9999; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #999; border-radius: 6px; background: #fff; text-decoration: none; font-size: 14px;\">\u2191 Menu<\/a>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/steep_point_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Steep Point, West Coast Australia.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"when\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>When to visit Australia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given the size of the country, it&#8217;s really hard to talk about the climate without making a clear distinction based on the region in question. Also, remember that the seasons are reversed compared to the Northern Hemisphere!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broadly speaking, if you draw an imaginary line that cuts the country in half from east to west (roughly at the latitude of Brisbane), the lower half, that is, the south, has four distinct seasons, with really hot summers and winters that can be colder than you think, especially in the state of Victoria and Tasmania.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>In the upper half, that is, the north of the country, there are basically two seasons:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the dry season (April to November), with pleasant temperatures and practically no rainfall, and the rainy season (November to April), which is extremely muggy, with almost daily thunderstorms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All this applies to the coastal regions, while in the interior &#8211; the so-called &#8220;outback,&#8221; essentially the entire semi-desert area &#8211; rain is scarce all year round, and temperatures are extremely high during the austral summer, while in winter they&#8217;re mild during the day and close to zero at night.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To sum up, <\/span><strong>the best time to visit the south of the country is from November to April<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, around the austral summer (if possible, it&#8217;s better to avoid the Christmas period and January, which coincide with the school summer vacations: prices are much higher and the beaches are crowded), while for the north of the country the best time is from April to November, around the austral winter. Finally, for the outback the best time is the shoulder seasons, that is, April-June and October-November.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have plenty of time, the ideal would be to visit the south during the summer months and then move north as summer comes to an end, heading into the dry season. Or the other way around: you could start your trip in the north during the dry season and move south at the beginning of summer, thus avoiding the rainy season.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/canguri_viaggio_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The country&#8217;s most iconic and curious animals.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"doc\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Documents and vaccinations to enter Australia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To visit Australia, you <\/span><b>must have an entry visa before arriving in the country.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There are different types of visas, but for most people, I think <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/immi.homeaffairs.gov.au\/visas\/getting-a-visa\/visa-listing\/evisitor-651\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">subclass 651<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is sufficient. You can easily apply for this visa online, it&#8217;s completely free and valid for 12 months from the time it\u2019s granted. During these 12 months, you can enter and leave Australia as many times as you like, but without staying more than 3 months at a time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re thinking about spending some time living abroad, an interesting alternative for Italian citizens under 31 (the rules change depending on your nationality, so check yours) is definitely the working holiday visa. This visa, which costs 440 Australian dollars, lasts twelve months, during which you can also work legally, and if you like, it can be renewed for another 12 months by working for at least 90 days in &#8220;remote&#8221; areas. For more information, have a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/immi.homeaffairs.gov.au\/visas\/getting-a-visa\/visa-listing\/work-holiday-417\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this page<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for vaccinations, the only mandatory one is yellow fever, if you enter the country within 6 days of a stay in an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/yellowbook\/2018\/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel\/yellow-fever\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at-risk country<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; beyond that, I personally always recommend the hepatitis A and B vaccines.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, it&#8217;s worth remembering that there&#8217;s a healthcare agreement between Italy and Australia that guarantees free access to the public system, called &#8220;Medicare,&#8221; for up to 180 days from entering the country (the rules change depending on your nationality, so check yours). However, this is only basic care that, for example, doesn&#8217;t even cover the cost of an ambulance, so it&#8217;s a good idea to take out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private travel insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For up-to-date information on visas and everything else, I recommend checking your own government&#8217;s official travel advice (for example, the UK&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/foreign-travel-advice\/australia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foreign travel advice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/hutt_lake_pink_lake.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Hutt Lake.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"what\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Australia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given the size of the country, I&#8217;ve decided to divide this section of the guide into seven areas, spanning distinct federal states and territories starting from the state of Victoria in the south and turning counterclockwise. For each region, you&#8217;ll find a more detailed map.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide, prices are given in the local currency, called the &#8220;Australian dollar,&#8221; often abbreviated as &#8220;AUD.&#8221; The exchange rate is about 1\u20ac = 1.60 AUD. For the current exchange rate, I suggest you look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xe.com\/currencyconverter\/convert\/?Amount=1&amp;From=EUR&amp;To=AUD\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cosa_fare_vedere_australia.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"vic\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Victoria<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The small state of Victoria has something for everyone: beautiful beaches along the coast in the southwest, the countryside where they make excellent wine, numerous national parks, the legendary Great Ocean Road, and finally, Melbourne, one of my favorite cities, one of the most livable in the world and the undisputed cultural capital of Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, the best time to visit this area runs from September-November to April-May.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cosa_fare_vedere_victoria.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"431\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"melbourne\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Melbourne<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melbourne is a clean, livable and dynamic city. With over 4 million inhabitants, it&#8217;s definitely a metropolis, where fortunately all the points of interest are around the downtown area (also known as the &#8220;CBD&#8221;) or at least not too far from it, and everything is easily reachable thanks to the efficient public transportation system.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/graffiti_melbourne.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Melbourne&#8217;s graffiti.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Melbourne<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within the CBD, I recommend visiting the area around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/HcHNtGPGP3kJedP6A\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flinders Street Station<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where, just a stone&#8217;s throw away, you&#8217;ll find <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/1V9ePxe87CvgSBtZ8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Paul&#8217;s Cathedral<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/AE9Pdgq6nF5ZKnUp7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federation Square<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is extremely lively in the evening and often hosts <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/fedsquare.com\/events\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free events<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially on weekends. Finally, you can stroll along the Yarra River on the Southbank side, where, if you like, you could go up to the top of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/LsFu2hYd1ndM1TMy6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melbourne Skydeck<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (formerly Eureka Skydeck), with a breathtaking view of the city; it&#8217;s not exactly cheap, but you can save a couple of dollars <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.melbourneskydeck.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by booking online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Slightly further south, there&#8217;s the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/UVSLPkkpJZ12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Gallery of Victoria<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/erZbwRhgDGn\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shrine of Remembrance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you like, you could join a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imfree.com.au\/melbourne\/sights\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free walking tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the city, which basically covers all the points of interest mentioned so far and many others too. All with a local guide who&#8217;s more than happy to give advice and tips, as well as sharing interesting facts about the city&#8217;s history.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outside the center, some interesting neighborhoods are definitely Carlton, which has a very strong Italian influence; Collingwood and Fitzroy, which have a hipster vibe with lots of street art; and finally, St.Kilda and Brighton to the south, where the city&#8217;s main beaches are. The former is also the heart of the nightlife: here, along the famous Chapel Street, you&#8217;ll find some of the city&#8217;s best-known clubs, including the infamous <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/revolverupstairs.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revolver<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Brighton, on the other hand, has a quieter, family-friendly atmosphere, and it&#8217;s where you can see the iconic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Attraction_Review-g954016-d2501131-Reviews-Brighton_Beach-Brighton_Bayside_Greater_Melbourne_Victoria.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">colorful beach huts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Brighton_Beach_Huts_Melbourne.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Brighton Beach.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How do you get around Melbourne?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As I said before, getting around the city is really easy thanks to the excellent public transportation system. Within the CBD, trams are completely free, but to use public transportation (trams, trains and buses) outside the CBD, you need a card called <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptv.vic.gov.au\/tickets\/myki\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Myki<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while the fastest way to get to and from the airport is the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skybus.com.au\/buy-tickets\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skybus<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (buying your ticket online saves you a few dollars).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Melbourne?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, I recommend sleeping as close to the CBD as possible. For hostels downtown, I recommend <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FExford-Hotel%2FMelbourne%2F33317%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-13%26dateTo%3D2019-02-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exford Hotel<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, if you&#8217;re looking for something cheap, or <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FSpace-Hotel%2FMelbourne%2F1944%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-13%26dateTo%3D2019-02-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Space Hotel<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for something more luxurious, while the go-to party hostel is the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FBase-St-Kilda%2FMelbourne%2F6651%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-13%26dateTo%3D2019-02-14%26number_of_guests%3D1%26origin%3Dmicrosite\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Base in St.Kilda<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you&#8217;re looking for a hotel, have a look <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/searchresults.en.html?city=-1586844&amp;aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2&amp;room1=A%2CA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i>here<\/i><\/a><i>.<\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"phillip-island\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Phillip Island<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The island, about a two-hour drive from Melbourne, is an extremely popular tourist destination, not only because it&#8217;s home to the circuit of the same name, which motor racing fans will certainly know, but also because of the colony of penguins and sea lions that live on the island.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To explore the island, you can join one of the many tours departing daily from Melbourne. However, I recommend renting a car, which you&#8217;ll also need later to visit the rest of the state of Victoria.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A possible one-day itinerary starting in Melbourne, which includes the famous penguin march (every day at sunset), might be as follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leave Melbourne around 8:00-8:30 so you get to the island around 10:30, and make your first stop at <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/3XkZwqPzu6NYtNyT9\">Woolamai Beach<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here, besides enjoying the beach, you could follow the trail that leads <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/YTMxH2UHtjR2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to this viewpoint<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and keep going if you feel like it (I recommend downloading <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/organicmaps.app\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organic Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where the trails are all mapped).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After that, head to nearby <\/span><strong>Churchill Island<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This island was home to the first farm in the state of Victoria, later turned into a sort of living museum where every day between 14:00 and 15:30 there are demonstrations of how sheep are shorn, how sheepdogs work, etc. etc. (admission is charged, but you can buy it as part of a package that also includes the penguin march, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguins.org.au\/buy-tickets\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more info here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Alternatively, you could simply follow the trail that runs around the island&#8217;s perimeter: about 1-2 hours, free.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/colonia_otarie.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1108\" height=\"623\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The sea lion colony.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every day at 15:00 and 17:00 (depending on the time of year, there may be an extra run at 13:00, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguins.org.au\/attractions\/ecoboat-tours\/departure-times\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">schedule<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), you can also board a boat called the &#8220;<\/span><strong>EcoBoat Adventure Tour<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,&#8221; which will take you to see one of the largest sea lion colonies in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, you could visit the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PG5P4LQStGdBSGG7A\">Koala Conservation Centre<\/a> <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(open from 10:00 to 15:00, admission charged) and the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/1dTCBvqnV5j4YwrT9\">Nobbies Antarctic Centre<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguins.org.au\/attractions\/recreational-areas\/the-nobbies\/opening-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">opening hours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), an interactive museum where you&#8217;ll learn a ton about Antarctica and its inhabitants.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To end the day, head to the &#8220;Penguin Parade&#8221; beach at least an hour before the penguins arrive (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguins.org.au\/assets\/Attractions\/Penguin-Parade\/pdf\/penguin-information-calendar-100614PINP.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find the times depending on the time of year).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.B. All the activities I&#8217;ve just mentioned can be paid for individually or by buying passes that include several activities together. Especially in the high season, tickets for the penguin parade must be bought in advance! <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguins.org.au\/buy-tickets\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the official website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! On <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.klook.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Klook travel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you might find better prices.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Penguin_Parade.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>March of the penguins.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"wilsons-promontory\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Wilsons Promontory National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park, located about three hours south of Melbourne, has about 130 km of trails and numerous campsites. The main access point to the park is the village of Tidal River, where the visitor center is located.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For multi-day hikes, you must register at the visitor center or through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parkweb.vic.gov.au\/explore\/parks\/wilsons-promontory-national-park\/things-to-do\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you can find maps, recommended hikes, and other useful information. If you like hiking, I strongly recommend spending a couple of days inside the park. If, on the other hand, you&#8217;re interested in a few short day hikes, take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parkweb.vic.gov.au\/explore\/parks\/wilsons-promontory-national-park\/things-to-do\/day-walks\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Either way, it&#8217;s definitely worth a visit!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Little_Waterloo_Bay_Wilsons_Promontory_National_Park.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Little Waterloo Bay<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"yarra-valley\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Yarra Valley<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Yarra Valley is a wine region just a stone&#8217;s throw from Melbourne. It only takes about an hour&#8217;s drive from the city center to get into the heart of this region. Many of the wineries are well-marked and easily accessible from the main road.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I visited the region on a day trip from Melbourne and, although for us Italians days devoted to wine tasting are probably nothing new, it&#8217;s definitely a nice way to spend a relaxing day. I don&#8217;t remember the name of the winery where we stopped, but if you&#8217;re looking for inspiration, you can check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Attractions-g1575072-Activities-c36-t132-Yarra_Valley_Victoria.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"great-ocean-road\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Great Ocean Road<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The famous road that stretches 243 km from Torquay to Allansford is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular in the world. The best way to experience it is by car; ideally, you should have at least two days available. Otherwise, you risk spending the entire day driving. If you don&#8217;t have two days, consider joining a tour.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First of all, some honest advice: if you plan to drive the Great Ocean Road in summer (high season) and Melbourne is both your starting and ending point, you&#8217;re better off driving the road in reverse: that way, you&#8217;ll avoid the crowds at the main points of interest!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The itinerary I recommend is as follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take the inland A1 road and head to Port Campbell. Here, continue briefly west, visiting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/b3hA5K1yLSE2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">London Bridge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/uVd5HLVZJWx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Bay of Islands Coastal Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4H8XNcSqiPB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Grotto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, before heading back east and driving the Great Ocean Road in the opposite direction. Visit the following points of interest: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tCnYH51Tr852\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Blow Hole<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4ZDhjUiMT392\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loch Ard Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WZPik4Gvco92\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tom and Eva Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/5wWaBxX7oCz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Razorback<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and finally, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MyGwBcEf8ky\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Twelve Apostles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, return to Port Campbell to spend the night. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FPort-Campbell-Hostel%2FPort-Campbell%2F27275%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-13%26dateTo%3D2019-02-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Port Campbell Hostel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great option, also for private rooms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/The_Razorback_great_ocean_road.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The Razorback.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could start the day by stopping again at the Twelve Apostles, where you&#8217;re unlikely to find big crowds, and then continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JgZJS9umULv\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gibson Steps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a walk on the beach. From here, the points of interest I recommend are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AFWdLRXf2KF2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teddy&#8217;s Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (just past this viewpoint is the town of Lorne, where you could have lunch), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Um1z2KQpj2E2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Split Point lighthouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KS1yWozoW4N2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Point RoadKnight Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (probably the best beach for swimming along the Great Ocean Road) and finally <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WzuNh8d1CXq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bells Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: this beach is famous for its great surf, whether you want to ride it or just watch!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, all that&#8217;s left is to head back to Melbourne.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obviously, if you plan to continue to Adelaide or Grampians National Park, you&#8217;re better off driving the road from east to west, thus following the route just described in reverse!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/12_apostoli_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Twelve Apostles.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"grampians\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Grampians National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This beautiful national park, about 3 hours from Melbourne or 2.5 hours if you&#8217;re coming from the end of the Great Ocean Road, is a great place to stop for a couple of days before continuing the journey to South Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here too, having your own vehicle is practically essential, and I strongly recommend going through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/URNAg3gV1v12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Halls Gap<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> visitor center, where you can get maps, updated information, and anything else you might need. Alternatively, you can consult the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parkweb.vic.gov.au\/explore\/parks\/grampians-national-park\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park has numerous trails ranging from a few hundred meters to multi-day hikes. If you&#8217;re short on time or not much of a hiker, I recommend visiting at least these easily accessible scenic spots and points of interest.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ZAQSnkyJBSo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boroka Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SgKFVXS99ts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reed Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BRwe17LzsjK2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Balconies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> just nearby, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/xDjCR7LzYoT2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MacKenzie Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DmpdgsWpgot\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pinnacle Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the short walk to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GaZcMkHBsJq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wonderland Grand Canyon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. All these places can be visited within a single day, but if you have time, I strongly recommend staying a few days in the park!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most practical and cheapest option for sleeping is definitely camping: inside the park, there are 13 campgrounds with toilets. You can also camp for free in certain areas or stay at places just outside the park, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FGrampians-Eco-YHA%2FGrampians%2F16573%3Fsource%3Dadwordsdynamic%26network%3Dg%26creative%3D230863545508%26adposition%3D1t2%26uniqueclickID%3D5469465982215023342%26sub_keyword%3D%26sub_ad%3Db%26sub_publisher%3DADW%26gclid%3DCj0KCQiAvqDiBRDAARIsADWh5TeLPWOHia3tO_w9v-y5EdjLhcaEcESQsVc_fiF1mkUqCKDC9qvOgLUaAubLEALw_wcB%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grampians Eco YHA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/balconies_parco_nazionale_grampians.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>My sister proving braver than me (I&#8217;m afraid of heights).<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"new\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>New South Wales<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a population of over 7 million, this is Australia&#8217;s most populous state. For years, this state was the center of British colonial power, and its capital, Sydney, is the oldest and largest city in the entire country. Its coastline offers some of Australia&#8217;s best beaches; to the south you&#8217;ll find the rugged Snowy Mountains, to the west the outback, and finally, to the north, on the border with Queensland, the beginnings of the rainforest.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also located within New South Wales is the &#8220;Australian Capital Territory,&#8221; the small territory that&#8217;s home to Australia&#8217;s capital: Canberra.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, the best time to visit this area is from September-November to April-May. If you plan to visit several national parks, consider buying a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au\/passes-and-fees\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/new_south_wales.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"514\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"sydney\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Sydney<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I lived in Sydney for more than six months, and as charming and livable a city as it is, I wouldn&#8217;t spend more than a couple of days there (the same goes for Melbourne). I strongly believe that the beauty of this country is found away from the cities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, here are some of the things I&#8217;d recommend.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Sydney<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s my suggested itinerary for two days to spend in Sydney.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I&#8217;d start the day&#8217;s exploration in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/dJgxbfS4fbD2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Darling Harbour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an extremely lively area with lots of restaurants overlooking the small harbor. There are also a few points of interest nearby, such as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/o2V9Adr8fqM2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chinese Garden<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (really nice and only costs $6), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/UQ9JYrT4CyL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the aquarium<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/j5dLsrkgP5D2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">zoo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From there, I&#8217;d continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Dc8w69j7z5x\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hyde Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/UPBdt3f4gLD2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Mary&#8217;s Cathedral<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/XkA8J8E5eNU2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Botanical Gardens<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and finally, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/bwd1GQZ93XC2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opera House<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From the Opera House, I&#8217;d recommend heading to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kB21B26ap1v\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Rocks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This neighborhood, at the foot of the Harbour Bridge, is the oldest in the city and still preserves lots of historic buildings. From here, go up onto the famous bridge and walk to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/TthmFS5aiAG2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pylon Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you get a great view of the bay below and the Opera House.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, you could either head back toward downtown and visit some of the museums\/points of interest you&#8217;re interested in or take the ferry to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/W1t5HcaM1y62\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that leaves from the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ssXQqepsq9k\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Circular Quay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> station (which I recommend). From the ferry, you first have a beautiful view of the bay, and once you arrive at your destination, you can savor a really different atmosphere than in the &#8220;City.&#8221; In Manly, you could simply go to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LcvBu9aha5n\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or visit the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/47P2F4RMcAz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Head Sanctuary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where there are some relics dating back to World War II, or walk along the trails with several viewpoints to see the city. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/opera_house_harbour_bridge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The Opera House seen from the Harbour Bridge.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A visit to Sydney can&#8217;t be considered complete without visiting the famous <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/8q7NQFtKoVLRg5Az9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bondi Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Getting there by bus is really easy, and once you arrive, enjoy some sea and sun before walking the spectacular Bondi-Coogee walk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a scenic coastal path about 4-5 km long that connects the two beaches; highly recommended! It starts at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/zXo8dAC4tB32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and ends <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SA4VNVq1wNA2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Once you get to Coogee, just take another bus to return downtown.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At both beaches there are public BBQs you could use to make your lunch in true Australian style, but be careful, because during the summer, and especially on weekends, the line to cook could be long. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/bondi_cogee_walk.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Bondi-Coogee walk.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How do you get around Sydney?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As I said, getting around the city is really easy, but to use public transportation you need a card called <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/transportnsw.info\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opal<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. After that, with the website or the app it&#8217;s really intuitive to figure out which transportation to take once you&#8217;ve entered your starting point and destination. Coming from the airport, the fastest way to get downtown is the train that stops practically inside the airport; this train, however, is relatively expensive, as there&#8217;s a $12 airport surcharge. If you want to save a bit and you&#8217;re traveling light, consider walking about 2 km to the nearest train station (not inside the airport): from T1 (international flights) <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Rfx488GcHPL2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wolli Creek Station<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while from T2 and T3 (domestic flights) <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vD5JSUmK6Xm\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mascot Station<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From both stations, the train ticket costs exactly $12 less.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Sydney?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, I recommend sleeping as close to downtown as possible, so you can explore the city on foot as much as possible. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FSydney-Backpackers%2FSydney%2F291676%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-13%26dateTo%3D2019-02-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sydney Backpackers<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great budget hostel right downtown, while if you&#8217;re looking for something really cool, check out <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FWake-Up-Sydney-Central%2FSydney%2F1704%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-13%26dateTo%3D2019-02-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wake Up! Sydney Central<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which also has nice private rooms at competitive prices. For hotels, take a <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/searchresults.en.html?city=-1603135&amp;aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2&amp;room1=A%2CA\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">look here<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"blue-mountains\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Blue Mountains\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This mountain range, located within the national park of the same name, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The national park is easily accessible from Sydney, as there are frequent train connections to the main towns of the region.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could easily spend several days inside the park, but if you don&#8217;t have much time, you can visit some of the main attractions on a day trip right from Sydney.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I recommend taking the train from Sydney Central to the town of Katoomba; the train runs about every hour, costs $6 and takes 2 hours to get there (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/transportnsw.info\/trip#\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">check the schedules<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), and admission to the park is free.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you arrive in Katoomba, walk to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SR58o8QyGiv\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Echo Point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll have incredible views of the Jamison Valley below and the rock formation called &#8220;The Three Sisters.&#8221; You can also visit the visitor center to collect maps and information.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, I strongly recommend taking the trail called &#8220;The Giant Stairway,&#8221; which starts right at Echo Point beside the Three Sisters and descends to the valley floor before climbing back up and returning to Echo Point. The trail is well-marked and well-trodden, so you certainly won&#8217;t have any problems; it&#8217;s about 6 km in total, with one waterfall and spectacular view after another, and if you like, you can also ride back up from the valley floor on a short railway. See the route in broad strokes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/dir\/Three+Sisters,+23-31+Echo+Point+Rd,+Katoomba+NSW+2780,+Australia\/Federal+Pass+Walking+Track\/Scenic+World\/Lady+Darley's+Lookout\/Three+Sisters,+Echo+Point+Rd,+Katoomba+NSW,+Australia\/@-33.7324488,150.3041131,16z\/data=!4m47!4m46!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b126e9b18072287:0x46c4113cc389ea6!2m2!1d150.3121543!2d-33.7320724!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b126ea950f8a875:0x61680c4a2226c27!2m2!1d150.3089569!2d-33.732296!1m15!1m1!1s0x6b126c024b41494d:0x338f435e43807b54!2m2!1d150.3011904!2d-33.7287065!3m4!1m2!1d150.3044898!2d-33.7274626!3s0x6b126ea81a6dfbe1:0x9a58c31259b321c!3m4!1m2!1d150.3053338!2d-33.7283943!3s0x6b126ea88cf1fda7:0xb6b9742058a6a53f!1m10!1m1!1s0x6b126ea9289a96e7:0xe03f976b122cb1ec!2m2!1d150.3088428!2d-33.7304011!3m4!1m2!1d150.3107249!2d-33.7310274!3s0x6b126eaee85f5845:0x1cf83dff3c0e2200!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b126e9b18072287:0x46c4113cc389ea6!2m2!1d150.3121543!2d-33.7320724!3e2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have more days available, consider spending the night here and visiting the other towns in the region that offer several hiking opportunities. Some nearby points of interest are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/NrNQG6RLntp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wentworth Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a waterfall on the edge of the town of the same name; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/iVii6f1XPJL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gordon Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which you could visit on a day trip from Katoomba; and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/rhLMgrowKwD2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Govett\u2019s Leap<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a scenic spot from where several trails start in the nearby town of Blackheath.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Blue_Mountains_Sunset.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Blue Mountains.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"jervis-bay\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Jervis Bay<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This huge bay, just under three hours south of Sydney, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in New South Wales. This is why it can be a relatively crowded area during summer vacations. In any case, the entire region, with the national park of the same name and the adjacent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/6XJGJJ9vkB12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Booderee National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is definitely worth a visit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best beach by far is probably <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/sQU7qoT4bJQKkGVt7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hyams Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: here the sand is so white that in broad daylight it could literally blind you, so be sure not to forget your sunglasses! If you have the chance, give yourself a couple of days to visit some of the bay&#8217;s many other beaches too.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hyams_Beach_Jervis_Bay_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Hyams Beach.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"canberra\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Canberra<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although Canberra technically isn&#8217;t part of New South Wales, I decided to include it in this section, since the Australian Capital Territory, of which Canberra is the capital, is to all intents and purposes inside NSW, and on top of that, Canberra is only a 3-hour drive from Sydney.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, despite having traveled the length and breadth of Australia, I&#8217;ve never had the pleasure of visiting its capital, so I&#8217;ll point you to a post where I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ll find some great ideas for visiting the city: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.urbanadventures.com\/24-hours-in-canberra\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to do in Canberra<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/parlamento_Canberra.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Parliament House.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"snowy-mountains\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Snowy Mountains<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This region, located in the far south of New South Wales on the border with Victoria, is home to the highest peaks in the country, so much so that in the winter months a few ski resorts are open (the only ones in Australia!).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You probably didn&#8217;t come to Australia to ski, and you&#8217;re unlikely to be around here during the Australian winter, but if you get the chance, it&#8217;s worth exploring the area. Kosciuszko National Park is named after the mountain of the same name, the highest peak in mainland Australia at 2228 meters.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For an overview of the activities you can do in the region, I recommend having a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/snowymountains.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this site<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while for some of the most popular treks, have a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.hotelscombined.com\/5-hikes-kosciuszko-national-park\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this article<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The main area at the foot of the mountain to use as a base for accommodation is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1H7UMNQqgY52\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thredbo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Mount_Kosciuszko_snowy_mountains.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Mount Kosciuszko.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"byron-bay\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Byron Bay<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The stretch of coast from Sydney to the Queensland border is full of possible stops where you can spend a few days relaxing on the beach, but the vast majority of people (me included) head straight for Byron Bay, which is about 8-9 hours away by car, so it&#8217;s totally doable in a day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re looking for a few stops along the way, I recommend checking out the Hunter Valley, NSW&#8217;s main wine region, and Coffs Harbour, a really popular beach destination, especially with families.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, Byron Bay is famous for its great surf and relaxed atmosphere. In the right season, you can also watch the whale migration (June-October), and more generally, it&#8217;s definitely a great place to spend a couple of days during your trip along the east coast.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides relaxing on the beach and maybe trying a few surf lessons, I recommend the walk from the town center to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/17YsVkyQ4LMANzQD9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Byron Bay lighthouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the view is breathtaking, and with a bit of luck you might spot whales in the distance. Plus, you&#8217;ll be able to say you&#8217;ve visited the easternmost point of mainland Australia, which is right <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Most+Easterly+Point+of+the+Australian+Mainland\/@-28.6403297,153.6302151,16z\/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b9063d73bf41779:0xada4837384079892!8m2!3d-28.6360615!4d153.6386825?shorturl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A popular excursion is to the small town of Nimbin, about an hour&#8217;s drive inland. In the &#8217;70s, a festival was held right here, and since then many of its participants decided to stay and live there, giving it an authentic hippie style!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today the town is the center of an alternative, eco-friendly and decidedly pro-cannabis lifestyle, and along the main street you&#8217;ll find lots of ethnic shops.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To wrap up, if you have your own vehicle, you could visit nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sa2zxwuowMw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Warning National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: admission to the park is free, and there&#8217;s a trail about 9 km long that leads to the summit of the mountain of the same name. Other points of interest around Byron Bay are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/FjSDWP83saB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minyon Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/q1jcscWa4Vq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protester Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Byron Bay?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For hostels, I strongly recommend <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FArts-Factory-Lodge%2FByron-Bay%2F364%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-20%26dateTo%3D2019-02-21%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arts Factory Lodge<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while for hotels, take a <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/searchresults.en.html?city=-1563414&amp;aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2&amp;room1=A%2CA\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">look here.<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/spiaggia_byron_bay.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The beach at Byron Bay.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"queen\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Queensland\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With nearly 7,000 km of coastline, 2,000 islands, and a tropical climate, lovers of sea and sun will certainly have no trouble finding something to do. Add to that the Great Barrier Reef, one of the oldest forests in the world, and the infamous outback to the west, and you&#8217;ve got one of the most visited regions in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, the best time to visit this region is from April to November, that is, during the dry season.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cosa_fare_vedere_queensland.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"685\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"brisbane\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Brisbane<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s start with the region&#8217;s capital, which, with a population of about 2 million, is the third largest city in the country, after Sydney and Melbourne. Unlike the other two cities, where I lived for several months, I was only in Brisbane for a week, at the end of a long road trip, and during my stay I had to tie up a couple of loose ends, so I didn&#8217;t have much time to explore the city. In any case, here&#8217;s what I suggest doing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Brisbane<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s my suggested itinerary for two days to spend in Brisbane.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start your exploration in the CBD: visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ostLweoYHR52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brisbane City Hall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9Dn2uHb77NR2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Museum of Brisbane<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (it&#8217;s free), and after that, continue to the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/uPpMmXrSaF82\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Botanic Gardens<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, cross the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/s5qj1W1kjuH2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Goodwill Bridge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> footbridge, which takes you to the South Bank neighborhood, where many of the city&#8217;s museums are concentrated: the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/t67ej4qNi9G2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gallery of Modern Art<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/bXkwwxZdAwN2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Queensland Museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, just to name a few. The whole area, which stretches south toward <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/VLQqhxUCeB82\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Bank Parklands<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where among many other things there are public swimming pools, is really nice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want a little action in the evening, move to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/wudgZZXqX9T2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortitude Valley<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> neighborhood, where you&#8217;ll find numerous bars and restaurants.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spend the second day exploring the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/3NXzRGzdpU42\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Farm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> district. If you happen to be in Brisbane on a Saturday morning, don&#8217;t miss the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Xi4MKq4Aq1T2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">local market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> inside the nearby park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, hop on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Q73gzce31mQ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">boat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (the boat system along the river is part of public transportation; you can check the schedules <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/translink.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) heading to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SZNQUsRtQ1q\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">West End<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is considered the city&#8217;s alternative neighborhood. Especially along the main streets, Boundary Street and Vulture Street, it&#8217;s common to see street performers; the atmosphere is really pleasant, and the weekly market is held along the first of the two on Fridays and Saturdays.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To end the day you could climb to the top of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/p79FbM5xKa52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Coot &#8211; Tha<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from where you get the best views of the city; the bus to take is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jp.translink.com.au\/plan-your-journey\/timetables\/bus\/t\/471\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">number 471<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Brisbane_From_Mt_Cootha.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Brisbane seen from the top of Mount Coot &#8211; Tha.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How do you get around Brisbane?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As in all the major Australian cities, the public transportation system is really efficient and at times even free, as with the red ferry that runs along the river in the city center. To use paid public transportation, however, you need to buy a rechargeable card called <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/gocard.translink.com.au\/webtix\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GoCard<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you&#8217;re arriving from the airport, the fastest way is the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.airtrain.com.au\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airtrain<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which however costs $18.50 one way. If you want to save $14, then get on the free T-Bus to Skygate (Airport Village) and wait for the 590 bus, ride it two stops to Toombul Shopping Centre and then take the train into the city.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Brisbane?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FSummer-House-Backpackers-Brisbane%2FBrisbane%2F265134%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-20%26dateTo%3D2019-02-21%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summer House Backpackers<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great budget hostel a stone&#8217;s throw from downtown, with some interesting activities organized every day. On the other hand, if you&#8217;re looking for something inexpensive but more hotel-style with a wide selection of private rooms, check out <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FBowen-Terrace-Accommodation%2FBrisbane%2F266135%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-20%26dateTo%3D2019-02-21%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bowen Terrace Accommodation<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"gold-coast\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gold Coast is a large city south of Brisbane with several districts, the most famous being Surfers Paradise. The whole area is extremely touristy, popular with Australians and foreign travelers alike. Personally, I spent only one night in Surfers Paradise to break up the trip between Brisbane and Byron Bay.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I wouldn&#8217;t advise against it, and in some respects it can be a really striking destination: the huge buildings that practically touch the ocean are undoubtedly fascinating, but at the same time, in my opinion, there&#8217;s nothing more to it, just a big modern city a stone&#8217;s throw from a beach that&#8217;s not exactly deserted. However, if you have time on your hands and you&#8217;re looking for a stop along the way to spend a couple of nights, then it may be a destination worth considering; that said, I think the beauty of Australia lies elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Surfers_Paradise_spiaggia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Surfers Paradise beach.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"noosa\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Noosa<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though probably just as touristy, Noosa is definitely a stop I&#8217;d recommend along the East Coast. The atmosphere is much more relaxed than in Surfers Paradise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to spending a few relaxing days at the beach, I strongly recommend visiting the national park of the same name, which is easily accessible from town. Admission is free, and there are several well-maintained trails that you can hike (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.des.qld.gov.au\/parks\/noosa\/pdf\/noosa-headland-map.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trail map<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). I especially recommend the coastal walk (trail number 4 in blue).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another nice activity is to visit the Noosa Everglades, which, along with the more famous Everglades in Florida, are the only two regions in the world with such an ecosystem. Joining a tour from Noosa is really easy, but if you want to save some money and you have your own vehicle, I recommend driving to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9N2kksR5GAB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boreen Point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where numerous stores are ready to rent kayaks and provide maps to explore the area on your own.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Noosa?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FNoosa-Flashpackers%2FNoosa%2F43760%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-20%26dateTo%3D2019-02-21%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Noosa Flashpackers<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great hostel literally a stone&#8217;s throw from the national park. For hotels, take a <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/searchresults.en.html?city=-1591864&amp;aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2&amp;room1=A%2CA\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">look here<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/parco_nazionale_Noosa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Coastal walk.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"fraser-island\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Rainbow Beach and K\u2019gari (Fraser Island)<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rainbow Beach is merely the base for exploring nearby K\u2019gari (Fraser Island): this island, which measures 120 km in length and 30 km in width at its widest point, is completely composed of sand, making it the largest sand island in the world and the only place where rainforest grows right on the sand.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The island is nothing short of extraordinary, with many attractions ranging from numerous freshwater lakes, including the famous Lake McKenzie, natural swimming pools, and a shipwreck that has become iconic. It&#8217;s also the last place in the world where you can see purebred dingoes that colonized the Australian continent more than 3,500 years ago; in the rest of the country, the breed has been &#8220;contaminated&#8221; by other canines.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have rented or perhaps bought a 4&#215;4 for your trip to Australia, you can visit the island on your own as I did. Otherwise, you need to join a tour, which any hostel or agency can organize; if you want to book online, I suggest you look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bookme.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bookme<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Either way, if possible, try to spend at least two nights on the island; it&#8217;s truly an extraordinary place! <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/lago_McKenzie.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Lake McKenzie.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Some info for a DIY trip to K\u2019gari (Fraser Island)<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you plan to drive your 4&#215;4 vehicle on the island, getting your vehicle permit and booking campsites before boarding the ferry is mandatory. My fellow travelers and I did this the same day at the tourist office before boarding, and many of the equipped campsites were full. So, if this is what you&#8217;re looking for, book online in advance (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/qpws.usedirect.com\/qpws\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">permit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.des.qld.gov.au\/experiences\/camping\/camping_bookings.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">campsites<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.des.qld.gov.au\/parks\/fraser\/pdf\/fraser-island-map.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you&#8217;ll find a map of the island with campsites, roads, and attractions. This is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7EK7tQ3nuFK2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the tourist office<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where we booked campsites and permits, but there are others in the area too. Whatever your itinerary on the island, don&#8217;t miss <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/6foi1HP1bpk\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lake McKenzie<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/G7UE7w8BHvz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eli Creek<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JucGFnttPEo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maheno Wreck<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/XkFtUXc8sM92\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Champagne pools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under any circumstances! Especially if you have no experience driving in the sand, drive with extreme caution and take enough food and water with you. You can find them on the island, but they&#8217;re extremely expensive!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you return to Rainbow Beach, I strongly recommend visiting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/cX72MfpCewr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are dunes overlooking the sea where people go sandboarding, but most importantly, it&#8217;s an amazing place to watch the sunset!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tramonto_rainbow_beach.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The spot I just mentioned in the guide.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<div id=\"agnes-water-1770\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Agnes Water \/ 1770<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many, this is the next stop after Rainbow Beach. It&#8217;s a small coastal town with a relaxed atmosphere, often chosen to break up the journey to or from Airlie Beach, the gateway to the famous Whitsunday Islands.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honestly, I didn&#8217;t think much of it, but the drive from Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach is a really long haul, and if you have a day or two to spare, it&#8217;s definitely worth stopping and enjoying some relaxing time on the beach, maybe taking a few surf lessons.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LZbqjpurthG2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are some short trails that lead to some pretty good viewpoints, a nice way to kill a bit of time. If you like, nearby there&#8217;s also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.des.qld.gov.au\/parks\/eurimbula\/about.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eurimbula National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which I haven&#8217;t personally visited, though, so I don&#8217;t know if it&#8217;s worth it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another stop along the way you might consider before heading to Airlie Beach is the town of Rockhampton; I haven&#8217;t been there, but it&#8217;s said to be a sort of beef capital, with the pubs and restaurants to match. It&#8217;s also home to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/nht9eaBRUDp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dreamtime Cultural Centre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one of Australia&#8217;s best cultural centers on Aboriginal culture.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in 1770?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FCool-Bananas%2FAgnes-Water-Town-of-1770%2F40657%3FdateFrom%3D2019-03-13%26dateTo%3D2019-03-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cool Bananas<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great budget hostel a stone&#8217;s throw from the beach.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/spiaggia_agnes_water.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Agnes Water beach.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"airlie-beach-whitsundays\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Airlie Beach and Whitsundays Islands<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airlie Beach is a port town that serves as the gateway to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. The town itself isn&#8217;t much to write home about, and the beaches around it aren&#8217;t particularly picturesque and are often infested with jellyfish. If you have a free half-day before or after your Whitsundays tour, consider the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BHULQkcQDvk\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">man-made lagoon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, you absolutely must join an island tour; they typically last three days and two nights, but some people opt for longer tours or even day trips to Whitehaven Beach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I did the three-day tour, and it was incredible. The visit to Whitehaven Beach, snorkeling, and whale watching, all topped off by the fantastic company during my three-day sailing, is something I&#8217;ll never forget and would recommend to anyone visiting this beautiful country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much like K\u2019gari (Fraser Island), any agency or hostel can organize an island tour. There are different formats, from party boats (which I don&#8217;t recommend) to tours more focused on exploring the islands: the options are really endless. Personally, I did the tour with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bookme.com.au\/things-to-do\/whitsundays-airlie-beach-townsville\/activity\/spank-me-2-day-2-night-whitsundays-sailing\/1634\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spank me<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and it seemed like a good compromise between quality and price, but as I said, there are literally dozens of options, so the choice is yours.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Whitehaven_beach.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Whitehaven beach.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Airlie Beach?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technically, if you plan your trip well, there&#8217;s no need to stay in Airlie Beach. But if you want to spend the night before or after the tour, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FAirlie-Beach-Magnums%2FAirlie-Beach%2F35454%3FdateFrom%3D2019-03-13%26dateTo%3D2019-03-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airlie Beach Magnums<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn&#8217;t bad at all.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"townsville-magnetic-island\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Townsville \/ Magnetic Island<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city of Townsville is the gateway to nearby Magnetic Island, a bit like Airlie Beach for the Whitsunday Islands. The city itself isn&#8217;t particularly interesting, and many people simply pass through to catch the ferry to the island, but if you have an extra day or just half a day, you could visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/A3qUZe8jqBM2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Museum of Tropical Queensland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7tbuBdXQ6bz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">maritime museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and walk along the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hZcUywja1Sy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Riverway<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with public pools, bars, and a small art gallery. Finally, you could walk or drive up to the top of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ooauVcA77DG2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Castle Hill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which has excellent views of the town and Magnetic Island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you wanted to, you could arrange diving\/snorkeling trips to the reef from Townsville, but since Cairns is closer to the reef, all activities related to the Great Barrier Reef are generally cheaper from there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back to Magnetic Island: the island is really nice, and it&#8217;s definitely worth spending at least a couple of days there. More than half of the island is part of the national park, and there are numerous trails, beaches and small bays that can easily keep you busy for days.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In particular, I recommend the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sxwUkTD7sMD2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forts Walk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: this short walk, 1-2 hours at most, takes you to the ruins of a fort built during World War II, and from here you get great views of the whole island. On the way, you might spot some koalas in the trees! Anyway, there are other trails, all fairly short, that you could do; you can find a map <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.des.qld.gov.au\/parks\/magnetic-island\/pdf\/magnetic-island-map.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, the snorkeling in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Q4Cum1zACNQ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Geoffrey Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn&#8217;t bad at all. Among the beaches, I recommend checking out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/wLRjthoPVf52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Radical Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vv9Cfyv1CP82\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Balding Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the former is at the end of a dirt road while the latter is only accessible on foot, both of which are less crowded than the island&#8217;s main beaches.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/radical_bay_magnetic_island.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Radical Bay.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How do you get to Magnetic Island?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The island is accessible only by ferry from nearby Townsville, which is only 8 km away. Two companies cover the route, and both depart from the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ucGdgNDUPK12\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/magneticislandferries.com.au\/ferry\/magnetic-island-ferry-timetable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fantasea<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers transportation for pedestrians and vehicles, while <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sealinkqld.com.au\/timetables\/magnetic-island\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sealink<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is for pedestrians only; both companies have nearly ten daily departures.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep on Magnetic Island?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I slept at the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FBase-Magnetic-Island%2FMagnetic-Island%2F961%3FdateFrom%3D2019-03-13%26dateTo%3D2019-03-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Base<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the waterfront; it&#8217;s really nice and has a pretty party atmosphere. If you&#8217;re looking for something more comfortable, check out <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/dandaloo-gardens.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">these chalets<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"cairns\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Cairns<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Townsville\/Magnetic Island, many people continue directly to Cairns; it&#8217;s only a 4-5 hour drive, in fact. If, on the other hand, you&#8217;re looking for an intermediate stop to break up the trip even further, then Mission Beach might be just right for you.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s a small coastal town made up of four small villages along a 14km beach, and all together they don&#8217;t even reach 4000 inhabitants! A perfect place to relax and spend a few days at the beach. If, on the other hand, you&#8217;re short on time, I strongly recommend heading straight to Cairns, perhaps taking a short detour inland to visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tanHfBSDL8y\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wallaman Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a truly impressive waterfall, the second highest in the entire country, and if you&#8217;re willing to take an even longer detour, you could also visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WHXF3x4HLao\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blencoe Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a little further north, the highest waterfall in all of Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/wSyvkeE1knS2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Josephine Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn&#8217;t bad at all either, and it&#8217;s much more accessible from the main road leading to Cairns.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Wallaman_falls_panorama.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Wallaman falls.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Cairns<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you arrive in Cairns, the only thing I recommend doing in town, in case you have half a day or so to kill, is to pop over to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/yZEztMnmAcw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cairns Esplanade<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: it&#8217;s a really nice park with a public pool attached. In the evening, take a walk along the waterfront of the same name, full of bars, restaurants, and stores.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, spend as much time as possible exploring what surrounds Cairns, probably starting with the Great Barrier Reef.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>The Great Barrier Reef<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s the largest living organism in the world and the only one visible from space. Over 2000 km long, it&#8217;s home to thousands of animal species. A true wonder.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diving and snorkeling trips to the reef run daily, weather permitting, and are sold by literally anyone in town. Since the competition is so fierce, you can expect good service from virtually every company, and personally, I&#8217;d look for some last-minute deals online on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bookme.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bookme<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or, better yet, simply by walking around town. In any case, expect to pay at least a hundred dollars for a day of snorkeling and about twice that for two dives.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/grande_barriera_corallina.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The Great Barrier Reef.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Atherton Tablelands<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This plateau, located just outside Cairns, is a really nice area full of waterfalls and unusual landscapes that&#8217;s definitely worth exploring. Below, I&#8217;ve listed a possible itinerary to follow, with the main points of interest.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start the day by heading to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/qbAWRwGYNZJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Barron Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This 260-meter-high waterfall is extremely spectacular during the rainy season, but even during the dry season it certainly holds its own and is definitely worth a visit. At the site, there are several viewpoints connected by short trails.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/barron_falls.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Barron Falls during the rainy season.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can reach nearby Kuranda aboard the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyrail.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skyrail<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a tourist attraction made up of a circuit you travel half by train and half by cable car, giving you unique perspectives on the rainforest and on Barron Falls too. I haven&#8217;t done it personally, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyrail.com.au\/cairnstours\/skyrail-kuranda-rail\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here you&#8217;ll find<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> all the information you need.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Kuranda, continue to Mareeba, where you might like to visit the local <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1MSwHzzU2Vy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heritage Museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (free) before heading to Atherton; stop at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/T2zFbswGCFC2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emerald Creek Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The small town of Atherton doesn&#8217;t have much in the way of attractions, except for the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/mvgbFHrMiy72\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mountain bike park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which has a number of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.des.qld.gov.au\/parks\/herberton-range\/mountain-bike.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">excellent trails<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and there are several stores in town where you can rent a bike.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Atherton, continue to Yungaburra and spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FOn-The-Wallaby%2FAtherton-Tablelands%2F23955%3FdateFrom%3D2019-03-13%26dateTo%3D2019-03-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the Wallaby<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a beautiful hostel a stone&#8217;s throw from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vHQ974rvX1z\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">viewing platform<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where, early in the morning (preferably at dawn), you can see platypuses!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continue the day to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ePXMSSAKo1F2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the giant fig tree<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and then head south to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LUVWETZTk4J2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Hypipamee National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where there&#8217;s a waterfall and a huge crater, and finish with a visit to the iconic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KX8x2X2vnzJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Milla Milla Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you still haven&#8217;t had enough, visit nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/g3VdHNV5FDn\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zillie Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before heading back toward Cairns following the Gillies Range Road. With a bit of luck, during these two days you might spot a cassowary, a prehistoric bird (the third largest in the world) that lives exclusively in these parts of northeastern Australia and in Papua New Guinea.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.b. Following this itinerary with your own vehicle is ideal, but if you prefer, you can join a tour (the Atherton Tablelands tours offered in Cairns follow a similar itinerary).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/milla_milla_falls.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Milla Milla falls.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Cairns?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I spent my stay in Cairns at the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FCalypso-Backpackers%2FCairns%2F1933%3FdateFrom%3D2019-03-13%26dateTo%3D2019-03-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calypso<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which, all things considered, I&#8217;d recommend. If you&#8217;re looking for a party hostel, check out <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FGilligan-s-Backpacker-Hotel-and-Resort-Cairns%2FCairns%2F5201%3FdateFrom%3D2019-03-13%26dateTo%3D2019-03-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gilligan\u2019s<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; I&#8217;m sure it won&#8217;t disappoint you. If, on the other hand, you&#8217;re looking for a more comfortable option, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FGlobetrotters-International%2FCairns%2F35623%3FdateFrom%3D2019-03-13%26dateTo%3D2019-03-14%26number_of_guests%3D1%26origin%3Dmicrosite\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Globetrotters International<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seems like a great option.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"daintree-forest\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Daintree forest\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daintree Forest, located about 3 hours north of Cairns, is one of the oldest forests in the world and can be visited in a day, but I think it&#8217;s worth spending at least a couple of days there, doing the classic road trip from Cairns to Cape Tribulation and following this itinerary.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After driving north along the coastal road (really scenic in places), stop at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/6hVEERQbVWz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mossman Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a fantastic place to swim in crystal-clear water surrounded by rainforest. There are some short trails, viewpoints, and a suspension bridge; you can easily spend a couple of hours there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, continue north, cross the Daintree River by ferry (frequent crossings from 6 in the morning until midnight), and stop at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9igp4iiNxKz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marrdja Walk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a boardwalk trail of about 40 minutes through the forest, and spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/NhW6ewQt9z42\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Noah Beach Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Casuario_daintree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Taken from the car window!<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next day, do the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LUsE482Guzk\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dubuji walk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before going to see the beautiful <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Kus231fe2kC2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cape Tribulation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Beach and nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WbVrRAMpA622\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Myall Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you feel ready for a not exactly easy hike, then <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Po2CrPSKsrE2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find the start of the steep trail that leads to the top of Mount Sorrow. Head back toward Cairns.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.b. Unfortunately, swimming isn&#8217;t recommended on many of the beaches in this region due to crocodiles and jellyfish. Read the signs and ask the locals before doing anything silly!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, if you&#8217;re driving a SERIOUS 4&#215;4 and have plenty of time on your hands, you could reach <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KCyRkRKJt8r\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cape York<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the end of one of Australia&#8217;s best 4&#215;4 tracks (Old Telegraph Track) in one of the country&#8217;s wildest regions, a real adventure!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cape_tribulation.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Cape Tribulation.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"lawn-hill\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Lawn Hill National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To conclude this section of the guide dedicated to Queensland, I&#8217;d like to mention this national park located on the border with the Northern Territory. Although little known, it&#8217;s one of my favorite national parks. Obviously, I absolutely wouldn&#8217;t recommend setting off from Cairns specifically to visit the park, but if you plan to continue your trip in Australia overland toward Darwin, then consider it as a stop along the way.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inside the park there are lots of excellent trails, but above all, you can rent kayaks to explore the beautiful gorge on your own and maybe see a freshwater crocodile or two!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/FtcfBEfxNr62\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where the visitor center and campground are located, at the end of a dirt road about 80 km long. It&#8217;s not in bad condition, but it&#8217;s definitely advisable to have a vehicle with good ground clearance. You can find excellent information about the park <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.des.qld.gov.au\/parks\/boodjamulla-lawn-hill\/about.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/parco_nazionale_lawn_hill.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Lawn Hill National Park.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"north\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Northern Territory<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Known as the &#8220;true outback,&#8221; this territory boasts what are undoubtedly true natural icons of Australia. Within the territory, there are as many as 52 national parks and nature reserves, and it&#8217;s also considered the center of Aboriginal culture; in fact, the country&#8217;s largest population and collection of Aboriginal art are located here.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, the best time to visit this region is from April to November, during the dry season. However, the rainy season undoubtedly has its charm too, with the waterfalls in full flow and lush vegetation, which makes March-April the ideal period, as rain is infrequent but the benefits I just mentioned are still there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cosa_fare_vedere_northern_territory.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"872\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"darwin\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Darwin<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s start with the capital, Darwin. I lived here for four months, and in itself, it&#8217;s easily one of the least interesting cities in the country, especially during the rainy season when, though not exactly in the same way, the city empties out like an Italian beach resort in winter.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are, however, three things I recommend doing in the city: visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/NDp1b5Ve75G2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">botanical garden<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, drop by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/nTFFfe8z6FB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Darwin Waterfront<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where there&#8217;s a nice park for lounging in the sun with access to a safe beach and pool, and finally stroll through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/yWMcJdhdkVv\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sunset market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, open only during the dry season, from April to October, on Thursday and Sunday evenings. I highly recommend it: you&#8217;ll find lots of food, artists, and above all spectacular sunsets from the nearby beach!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting around Darwin is really easy; the city center is compact, and you can walk everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, on a day trip from Darwin, you could visit the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/HfZBcyb6r2P2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Berry Springs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, about a 45-minute drive away: they&#8217;re really nice natural pools nestled in the jungle; avoid weekends if possible. Lastly, an extremely popular tour offered in Darwin is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/darwintour.com.au\/tours\/jumping-crocodile-cruise-tour\/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMDiBRDNARIsACKP1FE3ptZ8KBNMfHORW2T2qmiCGWS7udnwC334gk4WftkZk_tkMwoUF1waAipxEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">jumping crocodiles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> one.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jumping_crocodiles_darwin.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Darwin?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FMelaleuca-On-Mitchell-Darwin-YHA%2FDarwin%2F8148%3FdateFrom%3D2019-01-30%26dateTo%3D2019-02-02%26number_of_guests%3D1%26sc_pos%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Melaleuca<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is considered by many to be the best hostel in the city, and indeed, it isn&#8217;t bad at all. If, however, you&#8217;re looking for something comfortable, have a look at <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/advance-serviced-apartments.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">these apartments<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"kakadu\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Kakadu National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obviously, I recommend visiting the park independently by renting a car; much of the park is accessible by regular vehicles, although a 4&#215;4 would be ideal both for convenience and for reaching some less accessible areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visitors must buy their admission tickets <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/book.parksaustralia.gov.au\/passes\/kakadu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or at one of the visitor centers within the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s a possible 4-day itinerary inside the park, starting from Darwin and entering from the north. The second day varies depending on the type of vehicle you have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first stop within the park is along the main road, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/gVE3sTfejcU2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mamukala Wetlands<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here, a short trail leads to an observation platform over a marshy area, from which it&#8217;s often possible to see numerous species of birds and crocodiles.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Lm6K1r2FvBB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cahill Crossing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where again you&#8217;ll find an observation platform with a chance to spot crocodiles. Head to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/2tNamoGUZwo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not far from a series of short trails that allow you to admire examples of rock art. Finally, wrap up the route by climbing to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/qehtGhCBvty\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nadab Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one of the best vantage points in the park, which is particularly spectacular at sunset.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could spend the night at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/w8a6maWuS1H2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merl Camping Ground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but from my own experience and that of many others, it&#8217;s infested with mosquitoes, so consider driving on to Jabiru, where you can then look into several options.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jim_jim_falls.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Jim Jim Falls (dried up).<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To keep the 4-day itinerary, you can choose between two options today:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>1)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you drive a 4&#215;4, then I strongly recommend taking the track to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls. Along the track, you have to ford a river. We made it in a Ford Explorer without a snorkel, but depending on how high the river is, you might need one, and in some cases (especially during the rainy season) the track is even closed. Either way, a 4&#215;4 is absolutely necessary.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you choose this option, stop at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/dE4L7BYSfp52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garnamarr Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and quickly set up your tent to secure a spot. Then, continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SqRN3jeZCzN2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jim Jim Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sxemRbqkmeQ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Twin Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before returning to the campground and spending the night. Both falls are at the end of a short trail from the two parking lots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 4&#215;4 track and the two waterfalls are really worth it, and I couldn&#8217;t recommend them enough, but if, for whatever reason, you&#8217;re not interested, or you simply don&#8217;t drive a 4&#215;4, then you could do the following.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>2)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stop at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/cYbtp585cco\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find more rock art along some short trails and a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tkze9EhEBws\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">viewpoint<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not far away. Then continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SoWPPKp34mJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bubba Walk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and climb to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/HjBcUsAVV8N2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mirrai Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, you could go straight to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PTuQRSuRPSP2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maguk Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to spend the night (or some other campground in this direction), or stop at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/bZ8YbN1mY3m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warradjan Cultural Centre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where there&#8217;s a small gallery focusing on Aboriginal history in the region.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/maguk_waterfalls.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Maguk Waterfalls.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PTuQRSuRPSP2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maguk Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and enjoy the rest of the day at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/eYxx2DPw4gR2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maguk Waterfalls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you did the 4&#215;4 track, you should have about half a day; if instead you arrived the night before, all the better. The place is worth it, and above all, remember to climb up to the top of the waterfall, where there&#8217;s a series of really beautiful natural pools.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today is the day for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/YGNuygNwtuK2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gunlom Waterfall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Try to leave early in the morning from Maguk so that you can spend at least half a day at the waterfall before leaving the park. If you have time, you might want to spend another night in the park, sleeping at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/NJxGRpVW3qB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near the waterfall.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/gunlom_infinity_pool.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Infinity pool at Gunlom Falls.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"litchfield\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Litchfield National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much as with Kakadu National Park, I recommend visiting the park independently by renting a car. Much of the park is accessible by regular vehicles, although a 4&#215;4 would be ideal both for convenience and to reach some less accessible areas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s my 3-day itinerary in the park for those who drive a 4&#215;4. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nt.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0012\/200073\/litchfield-national-park.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find a map.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the park&#8217;s east entrance, begin your visit at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/xHs635HAPfD2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Magnetic Termite Mounds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where a short trail allows you to get a closer look at giant termite nests. Then, continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4KUJAfYd1oq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lost City<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where there are nothing short of incredible rock formations (4&#215;4 track).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, head back in the direction of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/yobJd1nEELs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buley Rockhole<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and take a refreshing dip in these natural pools before continuing to the Florence Falls campground, where you&#8217;ll spend the night (there are two, one for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/8bP6TvGmvN22\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regular vehicles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JzMMY7y7HgE2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other accessible only by 4&#215;4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">); leave your vehicle here and walk down to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/mKEXhnDveeL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Florence Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/florance_falls_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Florence Falls.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start the day by going to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/atwM65pLuZ62\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tolmer Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> viewpoint (there&#8217;s a short loop you can walk if you like). Then, take the 4&#215;4 track to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/v7Z4wkh5ih32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tjaynera Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/3GrUvGPjQjq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surprise Creek Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Afterward, head back along the same track and spend the night at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/T3u6kS1a3fz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wangi Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> campground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spend the morning at Wangi Falls, perhaps taking a short hike from where the falls are located and going through the Monsoon forest before leaving the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Tjaynera-Falls.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Tjaynera Falls.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"nitmiluk\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Nitmiluk (Katherine) National Park\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two easily visited sections:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Edith Falls<\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first, less well-known one is the one I call &#8220;Edith Falls&#8221;; if you&#8217;re coming from the north, it&#8217;s located before the town of Katherine. Spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/FvLjwGN7Sc52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leilyn campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (well-equipped and spacious), and you&#8217;ll see that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sfiruA1pBPT2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edith Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is literally a stone&#8217;s throw away. If you arrive in the morning, you could do it right away, but otherwise I recommend waiting until the next day to complete the circuit you see on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nt.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0008\/413837\/Leliyn-Edith-Falls.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this map<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially if you decide to do the detour to Sweetwater Pool as well. Either way, do at least the main circuit leading to the Upper Pool; it&#8217;s worth it!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/edith_falls_cascata_superiore.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Edith Falls, Upper Pool.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Katherine Gorge<\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The other, better-known section of the park is the one I call &#8220;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/RUBrxqqvVHJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Katherine Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&#8221; The main attraction is the gorge where the Katherine River flows. Some trails run parallel to the gorge, as you can see on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nt.gov.au\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0007\/200104\/nitmiluk-national-park-fact-sheet.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this map<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but the recommended way to visit it is by renting a kayak through the visitor center. However, access is only given to a limited number of kayaks with scheduled departures, and since this activity is extremely popular, the chances of finding a spot by showing up on the day during the dry season are practically zero. I showed up on two separate occasions, a few weeks apart, and was told everything was sold out for the next 3-4 days, so if you have fixed dates and really want to do this, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nitmiluktours.com.au\/book-a-tour\/canoeing-trips\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">book in advance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There&#8217;s also a campground attached to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GrBF8b3UbaG2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visitor center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Katherine_Gorge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Katherine Gorge.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"elsey\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Elsey National Park (Mataranka)<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This place is simply not to be missed! It&#8217;s a system of crystal-clear hot springs nestled in the forest. Here too, there are two easily accessible sections; if you only have time for one, I recommend the first!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleep at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Lchzqt5TgtF2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bitter Springs Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (they also have bungalows) and spend at least a day lazing in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hdG1sk7K94A2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">little river not far away<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, generated by the springs; the temperature of the crystal-clear water and the forest around it make it an exceptional place!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have time, the next day you could visit the other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/F3S316PDSG22\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more popular section of the park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; here you&#8217;re basically in the same setting, only the pools have been cemented over, so some of the charm is lost and the place is more crowded. Here too, there&#8217;s a campground a short distance from the pools. From here, if you like, you could walk to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AWBhvp3ezU22\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mataranka Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; the walk along the river is pleasant, but the falls certainly aren&#8217;t impressive.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/mataranka.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Bitter Springs.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"devils-marbles\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Devils Marbles<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These curious rock formations are literally right along the Stuart Highway, which makes them an almost obligatory stop between Alice Springs and the long drive that awaits you to reach Tennant Creek, the pit stop for breaking up the journey north or south.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The area is relatively confined, and an hour or so should be more than enough time to explore it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Devils_Marbles.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Devils Marbles.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"alice-springs\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Alice Springs\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This not particularly charming town, however, is the crossroads for many attractions in the area and an ideal place to stop for supplies before continuing the journey south or north.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, if you have a few hours to spend in the city, you could climb <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/qnLUZMroNWB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anzac Hill<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from where you have excellent views of the city and the MacDonnell mountain range in the background, and perhaps visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/xf28WsXVAzt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">botanical garden<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where there are often wallabies roaming around.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Alice Springs?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FAlice-s-Secret-Travellers-Inn%2FAlice-Springs%2F80548%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-13%26dateTo%3D2019-02-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alice&#8217;s Secret<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a really nice, cheap hostel surrounded by greenery, with some really quirky rooms. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/diplomat-motel.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diplomat Motel<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, on the other hand, seems like a great, not-too-expensive option for those looking for something hotel-style. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"west-macdonnell\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>West MacDonnell National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This national park, located just outside Alice Springs, is often snubbed in favor of Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon. Still, if you have a few days to devote to it, I strongly recommend it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below is my two-day itinerary inside the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting in Alice Springs, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DxEzVViNz5D2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simpson Gap<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the first stop of the day; walk the short trail to the gorge and maybe even swim before continuing to Standley Chasm.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/nz7UB72A1Kv\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standley Chasm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a really spectacular canyon as well as one of the park&#8217;s main attractions &#8211; admission costs 12 dollars per person to walk along the short trail through the canyon. Ideally, you&#8217;d visit the canyon during the middle hours of the day, when the sunlight lights up its walls spectacularly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, continue first to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kmP6vtSuAPk\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ellery Creek<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/E3WSN2EMNC82\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serpentine Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/UtaxC9ZRdRo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ochre Pits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and then to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GH8texNwFNy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ormiston Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here, there&#8217;s a short trail to the gorge where you can swim; this is also the best-equipped area in the park, and there&#8217;s a good campground where you could spend the night. Alternatively, spend the night in nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/jTmCFPmmLyH2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glen Helen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where, if you prefer, there&#8217;s also a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/glen-helen-resort.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hotel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Standley_Chasm.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Standley Chasm.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/cXrBCUdooVJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glen Helen Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before heading to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/3gBtCdHArCS2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redbank Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; here there&#8217;s a slightly longer walk to do, but still nothing excessive.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, if you drive a high-clearance 4&#215;4, I strongly recommend visiting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sYfsD4Pgy872\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palm Valley<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is located within the nearby Finke Gorge National Park, 3-4 hours from Redbank Gorge. Here, you can camp and explore this beautiful area by following some trails (Arankaia Walk is the trail to the famous valley). For 4&#215;4 track conditions and other info, check the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nt.gov.au\/leisure\/parks-reserves\/find-a-park-to-visit\/finke-gorge-national-park\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">park&#8217;s official website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don&#8217;t have a 4&#215;4 vehicle or just don&#8217;t feel up to it, you can always join an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/alice-springs-l369\/palm-valley-4wd-safari-in-finke-gorge-national-park-t37258\/?partner_id=9V1WPR5&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organized tour from Alice Springs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or continue your journey to Watarrka National Park!<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"watarrka\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This park is the ideal stop between West MacDonnell National Park and Ayers Rock (Uluru); spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/b9MEi7SpvRN2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kings Canyon Resort<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which offers accommodation of every kind, from campsites to hotel rooms, and the facilities aren&#8217;t bad at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the resort to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/45RStuE3B7z\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spot where the trails start<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it&#8217;s only 10 km. There are only 4 trails inside the park; the one I recommend is the Rim Walk, a 7 km circuit that runs along the top of Kings Canyon and is really breathtaking. Try to start early in the morning to avoid the hottest hours of the day!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/kings_canyon.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Kings Canyon.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"uluru-kata-tjuta\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Ayers Rock (Uluru) and Kata Tjuta National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many, this is an essential destination on a trip to Australia; generally speaking, one day is enough to visit the park. The entrance ticket costs $25 and is valid for three days.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With 24 hours available, here&#8217;s what I recommend doing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start the day admiring the sunrise at Ayers Rock; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DqsgTmpFjb92\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is considered the best spot. After that, join the guided walk led by one of the park rangers at the base of the monolith. The walk, which lasts 1-2 hours, is really interesting, and you&#8217;re given lots of information about Aboriginal culture and the history of the area; it&#8217;s included in your park entrance ticket.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The walk starts every day from the &#8220;Mala Car Park&#8221; at 8:00 from October to April and at 10:00 from May to September. After that, you could complete one of the other trails. Climbing to the top has no longer been possible since 26 October 2019: the monolith is sacred to the Aboriginal people, and climbing it has always been considered a sacrilege by them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/uluru_tramonto.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Sunset at Ayers Rock.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&#8217;ve finished your visit to Ayers Rock, head for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/D5sDbQx6bhP2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kata Tjuta<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where I strongly recommend doing the so-called &#8220;Valley of the Winds Walk,&#8221; a beautiful 7.4km walk through numerous gorges with exceptional views.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before heading back to Ayers Rock for sunset, make a stop at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KCL4bfTHT8L2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this beautiful viewpoint<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> along the main road. It offers beautiful views of both Kata Tjuta and Ayers Rock. Highly recommended!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">End the day with sunset at Ayers Rock; this is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/88iCLSozzyC2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">main viewpoint<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.b. If, for whatever reason, you only want to visit Uluru in the shortest possible time, without visiting the nearby national parks, keep in mind that you could fly directly to Uluru (Yulara), where the main hotels are located, and they sometimes provide private shuttles. Or you could use the services offered by <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/uluruhoponhopoff.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this company<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to reach the park by bus. Generally speaking, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jetstar.com\/au\/en\/flights\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jetstar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the cheapest airline to provide this air route from major Australian cities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Kata-Tjuta-National-Park.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Kata Tjuta.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Planning your trip? If you still need travel insurance, you can find my <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">guide to the best travel insurance<\/a> here. Purchasing through the links in the guide supports this site at no additional cost to you.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"west\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Western Australia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Australia is the largest state in all of Australia. It covers an area larger than Western Europe, with a population of only two and a half million, more than two million of whom live in the capital city of Perth, the most isolated city of this size in the world!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main attraction of this state lies in the boundless expanses of &#8220;nothingness,&#8221; where unspoiled nature gives rise to surreal landscapes within what is, for all intents and purposes, the region of Australia that most fascinated me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best time to visit this region varies enormously, as Western Australia is crossed by practically all of the country&#8217;s climate zones. For the classic itinerary along the coast from Perth to Broome, the best times to have good weather both in the south and in the north are September-October and April-May (March to July is whale shark season in Exmouth), but the middle months of winter (June-August) are more than fine too. If, on the other hand, you&#8217;re planning to visit the south (Margaret River, Albany, and Esperance), the summer months are the best time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.b. If you plan to visit quite a few national parks, it&#8217;s definitely worth getting the Western Australia pass, which you&#8217;ll find on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.dbca.wa.gov.au\/collections\/park-passes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cosa_fare_vedere_western_australia.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"545\" height=\"759\" \/>\r\n<div id=\"perth\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Perth<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perth may not have the charm of Melbourne and Sydney, but during my week there, it made a great impression on me. An extremely livable, clean city, full of greenery and with really beautiful beaches a stone&#8217;s throw from downtown, which enjoys more sunny days than any other Australian capital!<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Perth<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless you have a lot of time available, I recommend spending two days there at most.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start your first day by visiting the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WiFgbGvf3zr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perth Cultural Centre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find the Art Gallery of Western Australia (free) and many other museums, while not far away are government buildings such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LcyiuzVraQr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Government House<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tnekvxQAusj\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supreme Court<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, move on to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AyCAX16HWby\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kings Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, located in the heart of Perth and one of the world&#8217;s largest city parks (larger than Central Park in New York). End the day by exploring the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/H6YmcdYKtcx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prison<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/pHbjWTz52262\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">maritime museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and strolling through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/qpK6Gu33hNU2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fremantle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, considered the best neighborhood in the city; don&#8217;t miss the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ouVr3s9z7ko\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">local market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on Fridays and Saturdays.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Fremantle_prigione.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Fremantle prison.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dedicate this day to exploring Rottnest Island, an island located just 18 km from Perth. It&#8217;s a true paradise for nature lovers, who can enjoy its 63 beautiful beaches and the company of the famous quokkas that live only here, all without any cars to spoil the peace and quiet of the island.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three companies offer transportation to and from the island: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rottnestexpress.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RottnestExpress<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sealinkrottnest.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sealink<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rottnestfastferries.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rottnest Fast Ferries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. I recommend checking all 3, as there are often seasonal offers or certain days of the week with substantial discounts; combos are also often offered, for example ticket+bike rental, at great prices. Take a look!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you&#8217;re on the island, as you may have guessed, the best way to get around is by bike, but if you prefer, you could rely on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/experience.rottnestisland.com\/WebStore\/shop\/ViewItems.aspx?CG=riastore&amp;C=explorer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which costs $20 and can be used as many times as you wish. The complete tour of the island is about 25 km, which is great for a full day. The whole island is really beautiful, but I especially recommend the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/37vrFKdEXpB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pink lakes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/QnHzNq3BdJS2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Little Parakeet Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/b2xAJjVQsLL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parker Point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which also has a snorkel trail.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Rottnest_Island.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Rottnest Island.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How to get around Perth?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that to get around the main tourist areas (Perth CBD and Fremantle) there are <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transperth.wa.gov.au\/timetables\/cat-timetables\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free buses called CAT<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To move between the various neighborhoods, though, you have to pay; <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transperth.wa.gov.au\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can find all the different options. The most convenient and cheapest way to get from the airport to downtown Perth is the train (Airport Line). If you arrive at terminals T1 or T2, you can walk to Airport Central station via a covered walkway. From there, the train takes about 18 minutes to reach Perth&#8217;s central station and continues on to Claremont. A ticket costs just 3.50 AUD, and you can pay directly at the gates with a contactless card or your smartphone. If instead you arrive at terminals T3 or T4, you can take the free shuttle bus no. 292 to Redcliffe station, where the trains to downtown leave from. Taxis and Uber are definitely more expensive.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Perth?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FSpinner-s-Backpackers%2FPerth%2F30833%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-13%26dateTo%3D2019-02-14%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spinner&#8217;s Backpacker<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a beautiful hostel with a relaxed atmosphere in downtown Perth, while <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/comfort-perth-city.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comfort Hotel<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seems to be a great budget option for those looking for something other than a hostel.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"margaret-river\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Margaret River<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This region south of Perth is particularly renowned for its vineyards, which produce some of Australia&#8217;s best wines. In addition to wine, the region also has excellent beaches and, especially in recent years, mountain biking tourism has really taken off, with numerous trails starting a stone&#8217;s throw from town (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/region\/margaret-river\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find a detailed map).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In town, check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GE9zqFAGMjL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the labyrinths<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As far as beaches go, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ChMoFRYhYdB2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hamelin Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is probably the most picturesque in the region, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/v8C5cNcbQpH2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yallingup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MVThD9Xe2YH2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smiths Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> further north are also definitely worth it, as are many other beaches in the region!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for wineries, unfortunately I don&#8217;t have any to recommend, so I suggest you have a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Attractions-g2454550-Activities-c36-t132-Margaret_River_Region_Western_Australia.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tripadvisor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, in case you&#8217;re interested in a trail that looks really interesting, head for the &#8220;Cape to Cape Track&#8221;: 123 km long, it crosses the region from north to south; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trailswa.com.au\/trails\/cape-to-cape-track\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can find more information.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Yallingup_Beach_margaret_river.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Yallingup Beach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"albany\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Albany<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those continuing their journey south, Albany is about a 4-hour drive from Margaret River and is usually the next stop. If, on the other hand, you&#8217;re looking for an intermediate stop, take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/N4qNn8Xq4cx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pemberton<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: this small town is on the way and is famous for a forest of giant eucalyptus trees inside Gloucester National Park, where there&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/X2r1xPRMzp52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one particular tree<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that can be climbed and was used in the past as a fire lookout.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, about an hour before arriving in Albany, I recommend stopping at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fTLshvUQWF22\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Green Pools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/iwvV74z1iGP2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elephant cove<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, two exceptional beaches right next to each other.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you arrive in Albany, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/2BgAgiZVGEN2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Middleton Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fkqaG3dyiJu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emu Point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are the two most beautiful beaches in town, while <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Yakpk2JSHYr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Little Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, inside the Two People&#8217;s Bay reserve, is consistently voted one of the most beautiful in the country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For great views of the city and the bay, I recommend going up Mount Clarence, where, in addition to some monuments such as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/wC8s62SUj652\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">War Memorial<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/F9uGmSTPqkN2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Military Museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are numerous viewpoints.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, don&#8217;t miss the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DS28BXZdugL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Torndirrup National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a beautiful coastal park famous for its spectacular rock formations, in particular <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vLicoTQCoNz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural Bridge, The Gap<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ZD9YjzMmGH12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blow Holes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/emu_bay.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Emu Bay.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"esperance\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Esperance<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to break the journey to Esperance (it&#8217;s about 500km), you could stop in the small town of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/5TdRvJ9Yrt52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bremer Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WqBenh81CNE2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blossoms Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is really worth it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you arrive in Esperance, enjoy the fantastic beaches the region has to offer. Near downtown, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PjLHaMAWVvR2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Twilight Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is probably the best, and while you&#8217;re there, visit the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/pRLR4Jzpqi22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pink Lake<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, I strongly recommend moving on to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/CGPaUu7Xeo32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lucky Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PMmqVVxk7812\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wharton Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, both within <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hi5KvvQiprq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cape Le Grand National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They&#8217;re undoubtedly among the most beautiful beaches in the world, not to be missed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Lucky_Bay.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Lucky Bay.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two campgrounds within the park that I recommend booking in advance, especially during the high season (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/park\/cape-le-grand\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Esperance is often where the classic road trip south of Perth ends. At this point, if you have to go back to Perth, I recommend stopping at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/wTBLY99doQ92\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wave Rock<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a curious rock formation that&#8217;s truly one of a kind: undoubtedly a great way to end a fantastic road trip in the south of Western Australia!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here on, these are all destinations north of Perth, and they can be considered the &#8220;standard&#8221; West Coast itinerary.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Wave_rock.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Wave Rock.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"nambung\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Nambung National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This national park, located about 200 km north of Perth, is famous for the &#8220;Pinnacle Desert,&#8221; an arid expanse with numerous limestone pinnacles that create a surreal landscape.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s a circuit to follow by car, with several pull-outs where you can get out and walk among the pinnacles, plus a few viewpoints. Take your time, but either way, I think 1-2 hours is more than enough. Before you leave the park, check out the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/YWsZ3YbsLWy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discovery Centre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with interesting details about the area and how the pinnacles were formed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Admission to the park costs $13 per vehicle, and the park itself is accessible at any time of day, while the Discovery Centre is open daily from 9:30 to 16:30.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/pinnacoli_Nambung_National_Park.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The pinnacles.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"kalbarri\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Kalbarri National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After visiting the pinnacles, continue toward Kalbarri National Park along the coastal road and stop at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9ivHaNJ9wxx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hutt Lagoon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (pink lake) before continuing north.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back to the park: it&#8217;s good to know that it&#8217;s divided into two parts, a coastal one and an inland one; the coastal part comes before you reach the town of Kalbarri, the gateway to the inland part of the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, before arriving in town, I recommend visiting this part, and in particular, don&#8217;t miss, in this order: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KnKKmrGpXBu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eagle Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fnrTZ2QQSkR2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pot Alley<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/CZEpkLV95892\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mushroom Rock<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/q4TsfZnSkHs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red Bluff<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/XWPqqr5nhY62\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blue Holes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These are all short stops to admire some curious rock formations or the scenic stretch of coastline.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/costa_ovest_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Red Bluff.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inland section of the park, on the other hand, is where the main attractions are, and they can be visited in a single day. The park&#8217;s landmark is undoubtedly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MgrtyQmkBcD2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nature&#8217;s Window<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a natural arch that perfectly frames the gorge in the background and is reached at the end of a short walk. Really photogenic!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next comes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/e59pMk9pnM62\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Z Bend Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, another viewpoint at the end of a short trail, and finally, to the south, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vaL7Z9zjPW72\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hawks Head Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/mbZzc8kPfX22\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ross Graham Lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entrance to the park costs $12 per vehicle &#8211; consider buying a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.dbca.wa.gov.au\/collections\/park-passes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you&#8217;re looking for cheap accommodation in Kalbarri where you can stay or camp, take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/zdaVK4zgXG32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Murchison River Caravan Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; there are no campgrounds inside the park. If you&#8217;re looking for something more &#8220;luxurious,&#8221; take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/kalbarri-palm-resort.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palm Resort<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/natures_window.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Nature&#8217;s window.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"shark-bay\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Shark Bay\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This bay, which lies about 4 hours north of Kalbarri National Park, is really full of attractions, and if you have the chance, it&#8217;s worth devoting at least a couple of days to it, especially if you&#8217;re driving a 4&#215;4.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Shark Bay<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re in a hurry, the main tourist attractions can be visited in a day, but, as I said, if you drive a 4&#215;4, you can spend much more time exploring this beautiful region, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1991. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-sharkbaywa.pressidium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/20180017-WEB-VERSION-SHARK-BAY-MARINE-RESERVES.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find a detailed map of the area.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Hamelin Pool<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hamelin Pool is home to what is, to all intents and purposes, the oldest and largest living fossil in the world: stromatolites. These organisms, which thrive within Shark Bay, can be observed up close at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hy8QAo2n7um\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, thanks to special walkways built over the sea. Nothing exceptional or unmissable, but definitely something interesting to see!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/hamelin_pool.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Hamelin pool.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Monkey Mia<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This reserve, located about 25 km north of Denham (the main town in the region), is famous for the bottlenose dolphins that have been visiting the beach daily for more than 40 years.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These dolphins are wild, so the number and times of their visits vary, but they generally come to the beach up to three times a day, and more often in the morning, so to maximize your chances of seeing them, it&#8217;s best to arrive early in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dolphins are fed by the rangers, and under their supervision you can try it too, while swimming with them isn&#8217;t allowed under any circumstances; either way, the dolphins come so close to shore that you can simply stand in knee-deep water and watch them swim right next to you.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Admission to the reserve costs $6.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Shell Beach<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This beach (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/sLwi6grPvNTD5RK46\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), which stretches for over 60 km, is truly one of a kind. In fact, it&#8217;s one of only two beaches in the world made up entirely of shells, which in some places are as much as 10 meters deep: a veritable mountain of shells!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Especially at low tide, the water level is extremely low, and you can walk hundreds of meters out to sea in just a few centimeters of water. Spend a couple of hours exploring the beach or soaking in the water, and enjoy this natural wonder.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/shell_beach.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The &#8220;sand&#8221; of Shell Beach.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Eagle Bluff<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s simply a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/NBQhZT81QcG2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">viewpoint<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a short walk along the cliff, but the view of this stretch of coastline and the bay below, with its crystal-clear water, is simply exceptional.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s advisable to come before sunset: the location is ideal for watching the sun disappear over the horizon and, above all, for carefully watching the shallow waters of the bay. Seeing sharks, dolphins, and dugongs isn&#8217;t rare at all&#8230; I saw a shark!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Eagle_Bluff.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Eagle Bluff.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Francois Peron National Park<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This beautiful park (accessible only to 4&#215;4 vehicles) covers the very tip of the peninsula north of Denham and is famous for its red cliffs, beautiful beaches, and crystal-clear water. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/sites\/default\/files\/downloads\/parks\/2018%20Francois%20Peron%20from%20pdfs%20lr.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find a map of the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you enter the park in the afternoon, spend the night at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KKSify8XnMx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big Lagoon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> campground, and the next day continue north, where, if you like, there are three more campgrounds with their own beaches (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/sites\/default\/files\/downloads\/parks\/2018%20Francois%20Peron%20from%20pdfs%20lr.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">see map<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The next day, reach <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DgkXa8CfFYq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cape Peron<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for some breathtaking views. Here, you could hike the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trailswa.com.au\/trails\/wanamalu-trail-cape-peron-shark-bay\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wanamalu Trail<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> along the coast to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Cgk89SQVUK52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skipjack Point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but if it&#8217;s too hot or you simply don&#8217;t feel like it, drive there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I don&#8217;t know if it was the time of year (mid-September) or if it&#8217;s always like this, but on the stretch of beach between Cape Peron and Skipjack Point there were literally thousands of birds constantly coming and going, an incredible sight in a place that&#8217;s already extremely striking in itself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to bring enough water with you, as there&#8217;s no drinking water inside the park; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/3QNv3GsXsmu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, just outside Denham, you can stock up for next to nothing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cape_peron.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Francois Peron National Park.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"steep-point\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Steep Point (Edel Land National Park)<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steep Point, located on the outer of the two peninsulas that make up Shark Bay, is the westernmost point of mainland Australia and undoubtedly one of my favorite places in the entire country; however, it&#8217;s only accessible to 4&#215;4 vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-sharkbaywa.pressidium.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/LIGHT_SEA_Edel_Land-Sept16-400x476_updated_map.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find a detailed map of Edel Land National Park, inside which Steep Point is located. If you&#8217;re coming from the south, it&#8217;s best to visit this part of Shark Bay first, so you don&#8217;t have to retrace your steps.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personally, we visited the park on a day trip from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/6kEpALTLhJx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamala Station<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is about 60 km south of the entrance. I recommend going up to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BYAmkoKKQio\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steep Point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> following the road that runs along the east coast, passing through beautiful <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/X67xA5vvHqH2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shelter Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and then coming back along the west coast without going down to Cray Fish Bay. That way, you can visit the park in a single, but really long, day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/shelter_bay.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Shelter Bay.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever you do, don&#8217;t be fooled by the distances: you can&#8217;t travel at high speed, as the roads are either heavily corrugated or extremely sandy, so it takes much longer than expected to rack up the kilometers. Either way, I couldn&#8217;t recommend it enough; this is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible places I&#8217;ve visited in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to go even further, you could visit nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/park\/dirk-hartog-island\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dirk Hartog Island<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is named after the Dutch captain who first landed on the island back in 1616 and can be reached by a ferry that departs from near Steep Point (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dirkhartogisland.com\/barge-transfer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">info<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). It&#8217;s an extremely remote place where the logistics of having enough fuel, water, and food aren&#8217;t exactly easy. If this sounds like something you&#8217;re interested in, I suggest you do your research and arrive prepared; unfortunately, we had to pass.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/steep_point.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Steep Point.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"exmouth-ningaloo\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Exmouth, Cape Range National Park, and Ningaloo Reef<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s start by clearing things up a bit, since these three names often get mixed up when talking about this stop on a West Coast itinerary: Exmouth is the small town that serves as the gateway to Cape Range National Park, whose shores overlook the Ningaloo Reef Marine Reserve, where in some stretches the coral reef is just a few hundred meters from the shore. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitningaloo.com.au\/images\/documents\/North%20West%20Cape%20Map_Web.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find a detailed map.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region is particularly popular from mid-March to late July, when whale sharks migrate through the bay, peaking between April and May. During this period, tours to spot them and snorkel with them depart daily and are offered just about everywhere in town.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I was there in September and, although I didn&#8217;t get the chance to see the whale sharks, I was really impressed by the region. I recommend spending at least a couple of nights inside the park at one of the many well-equipped campgrounds a stone&#8217;s throw from the sea, to use as a base for exploring the main attractions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ones I got to see and recommend are undoubtedly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/b9B8ohtWnck\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turquoise Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tWS926MStXG2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oyster Stacks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (the latter during high tide) for excellent snorkeling; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/eyUCJBebXE12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sandy Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a beautiful beach for swimming, and finally, if you feel like taking a short hike, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9bBANdEK2fr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mandu Mandu Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Remember to bring your mask and snorkel, but above all, try to book your campsite a bit in advance if you&#8217;re planning to visit the park in peak season (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/park\/cape-range\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entrance to the park costs $12 per vehicle. Consider buying a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.dbca.wa.gov.au\/collections\/park-passes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Cape-Range-National-Park.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The view from the campground.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"karijini\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Karijini National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite national parks in the entire country. I recommend exploring it on foot, because you&#8217;ll find deep gorges and remote natural pools, crossing truly breathtaking landscapes. I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ll love it too. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/sites\/default\/files\/downloads\/parks\/20130086%20Karijini%20National%20Park%20brochure_web%20FINAL.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find a detailed map of the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are only two options for sleeping inside the park: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/5Y8KDLwTBmE2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dales Gorge Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a basic campground with toilets but no showers or drinking water; I didn&#8217;t mind it at all, and the location is perfect for visiting all the main attractions. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/karijini-eco-retreat.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Karijini Eco Retreat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, on the other hand, isn&#8217;t exactly in a great location, but it definitely offers a more luxurious experience. If you like, you could stay outside the park in Tom Price, where there are a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/searchresults.en.html?city=900052172&amp;aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">couple of options<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but you&#8217;d lose a lot of time getting back and forth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entrance to the park costs $12 per vehicle. Consider buying a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.dbca.wa.gov.au\/collections\/park-passes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I recommend spending three days and two nights inside the park, following this itinerary. If you don&#8217;t have enough time, skip the first day&#8217;s plan.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you spent the night somewhere between Exmouth and Karijini, head to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BckYgPpNgDD2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hamersley Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, spend a couple of hours relaxing, and once the hottest hours are over, climb to the top of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7aVQXBmLkD32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Bruce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, from where there are some fantastic views. It&#8217;s about a 10 km round trip. Spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/5Y8KDLwTBmE2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dales Gorge Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/spider_walk.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Spider Walk.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AAn54XzaumJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weano Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and follow the gorge until you reach <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KXfCR6D2xXU2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handrail Pool<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you feel like exploring, continue further until you reach the top of the waterfall of another natural pool, where there&#8217;s a clear sign telling you not to go any further. I strongly urge you to follow that advice, as it would be practically impossible to climb back up the rock face safely.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next comes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BbN6SY3arhP2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hancock Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From here, at the end of another beautiful walk, challenging but extremely fun, especially along the stretch of the &#8220;Spider Walk&#8221; where you walk between the very narrow walls of the gorge, you reach <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/28gCKLv5SA32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kermits Pool<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, another really striking natural pool.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here, visit the &#8220;Oxer Lookout&#8221; viewpoint; the trail is really short and starts near the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/up26t358FJm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">main parking lot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, continue to Knox Gorge and Joffrey Falls before returning to the campground.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spend the day exploring the area around Dales Gorge. Take the trail to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/HLmye9Pho9y\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">circular pool<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is about an hour one way, and then visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/wq2KdUfRFcA2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortescue Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/5Md2416U5hS2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fern Pool<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before leaving the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/circular_pool.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Circular Pool.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"eighty-mile-beach\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Eighty Mile Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This beach, located about 600 km north of Karijini National Park, is a great place to stop before continuing the journey to Broome. As the name suggests, it&#8217;s a really long beach, stretching for over 200 km, no less.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GByg8rou2GD2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (after about 10 km of dirt road, but in good condition), as well as a great caravan park, there&#8217;s also beach access for vehicles. So if you drive a 4&#215;4, you can spend a day exploring the endless deserted beach. The beach is often home to lots of migratory birds and is extremely famous for fishing; unfortunately, though, it isn&#8217;t suitable for swimming, as there are too many jellyfish, sharks, and stingrays, but it&#8217;s still a fascinating and peaceful place to spend a day or two on the way to Broome.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tramonto_eighty_mile_beach.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Sunset at Eighty Mile Beach.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"broome\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Broome<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here we are at what, for many, is the final destination of a road trip along the West Coast, while for others it&#8217;s the starting point of another epic road trip in Western Australia, the one through the region called &#8220;Kimberley.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting back to Broome, it&#8217;s basically an extremely popular beach destination during the dry season (May to September), so much so that the population triples during this period and campgrounds and hotels are often fully booked, especially in the middle of the season.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I didn&#8217;t get the chance to spend much time in town, so I honestly don&#8217;t know exactly what it has to offer, but the main beach, &#8220;Cable Beach,&#8221; is really nice and very popular. The sunsets are simply breathtaking, and I absolutely recommend that you don&#8217;t miss them if you&#8217;re in town.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city is also famous for its crocodile and pearl farms, for which there are dedicated tours you can join.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, if you plan to continue to the Northern Territory, you have two options:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if you&#8217;re driving a 4&#215;4, I strongly recommend taking the Gibb River Road (dashed in red)<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if instead you&#8217;re driving a regular car, take the Great Northern Highway (in black) further south, where there are still a couple of attractions worth visiting.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below you&#8217;ll find a guide for both roads.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/gibb-river-road-mappa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"509\" \/>\r\n<div id=\"gibb-river-road\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>The Gibb River Road<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s start by saying that, despite its reputation, the condition of this roughly 650 km road has improved enormously in recent years, and during the dry season, completing this stretch is certainly no daunting task.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is an extremely remote region, where it&#8217;s absolutely advisable, first of all, to drive a reliable vehicle and, secondly, to bring enough supplies, since the only official place where you can shop (at steep prices) is about halfway, at Mount Barnett. Before starting the trip, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sdwk.wa.gov.au\/our-community\/road-conditions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">check the road conditions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I recommend spending at least 7 days broadly following this itinerary. If you wanted to, you could spend many more or cut a few stops, but I think a week is the right compromise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Broome -&gt; Derby<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Derby is a small town a couple of hours north of Broome that, honestly, I don&#8217;t think is worth visiting unless you plan to drive the Gibb River Road. Before you get into town, stop at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fur1NbHAhX52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boab Prison Tree<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> along the main road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city&#8217;s other &#8220;attraction&#8221; is the highest tide in the country, which can reach up to 12 meters in height and be observed at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/YSpbfQh21tE2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pier<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. After that, you might drop by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/heQmxnjTMqj\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visitor center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to gather up-to-date information on the state of the road and possibly some maps.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spend the night at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WT7tZEHC36L2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caravan Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and prepare for the next day&#8217;s departure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make absolutely sure you stock up on food, water, and fuel before leaving Derby.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/boab_prison_tree.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Boab Prison Tree.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Derby -&gt; Tunnel Creek -&gt; Windjana Gorge<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hHgjJ5zNzRr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tunnel Creek<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you can explore a series of caves filled with interesting rock formations. The route, about 750 meters long (you enter and exit from the same place), is pretty much always obvious and you&#8217;re never too far from other people. At times you have to walk in the water, so bring a flashlight and enjoy the walk!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tunnel_creek.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Tunnel Creek.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then head to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/jHAbV5ANi7U2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windjana Gorge National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where there&#8217;s a good campground to spend the night; during the high season, it&#8217;s probably better to make <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/site\/windjana-gorge-campground\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reservations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Before sunset, head to the gorge nearby to witness a truly unique spectacle: the river, practically dry (during the dry season), forms a kind of lake where hundreds of freshwater crocodiles wait for the bats to come out of the caves and literally catch them in midair the moment they try to drink! Remember to bring a flashlight for the way back.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Windjana_Gorge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The shapes in the water are all crocodiles.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Windjana Gorge -&gt; Bell Gorge<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Qi2VppfjvzA2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bell Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the most beautiful waterfalls along the Gibb River Road. Start early in the morning from Windjana, spend the afternoon at Bell Gorge, which is reached at the end of a short trail, and finally spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/site\/silent-grove-campground\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silent Grove Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which isn&#8217;t far away.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/bell_gorge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Bell Gorge.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Bell Gorge -&gt; Galvans Gorge -&gt; Mt Barnett Roadhouse -&gt; Manning Gorge<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/pSBAAHeMcEq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Galvans Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn&#8217;t as spectacular as Bell Gorge, but it&#8217;s definitely worth a visit: surrounded by greenery, it has a truly magical atmosphere, and there&#8217;s even a rope you can use to launch yourself into the water. From here, continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/bfqRu2HBXK12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mt Barnett Roadhouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you can refuel before continuing to the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.exploreaustralia.net.au\/Western-Australia\/Kimberley\/Gibb-River-Road\/Mount-Barnett-Roadhouse--Manning-Gorge-camping-area\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 7 km further north.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the campground to the falls is about a 7 km round trip, so you&#8217;re probably better off waiting until the next morning to undertake the hike at leisure and spend a couple of hours at the waterfall.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/manning_gorge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Manning Gorge.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 5<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Manning Gorge -&gt; El Questro Wilderness Park<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you manage to visit Manning Gorge the evening before, it&#8217;s possible to reach <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/qoAFCLxPfGK2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Questro Station<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the end of a very long day. Otherwise, spend the night at one of the rest stops along the Gibb River Road and continue the next day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 6<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Zebedee Spring and El Questro Gorge (El Questro Wilderness Park)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elquestro.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Questro Wilderness Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a beautiful private park whose entrance costs $22 per person. The campground (if you like, there are also luxurious rooms) at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elquestro.com.au\/stay\/camping\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Questro Station<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is also quite expensive, but personally I think it&#8217;s worth it given the level of services offered: hot showers, bar, restaurant, etc. etc.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have one day, I recommend visiting the Zebedee Springs, located at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4aC3riAp8ek\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and then El Questro Gorge at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MiWDnADKnX52\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (I recommend downloading <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/organicmaps.app\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organic Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which offers a very detailed offline map of the area).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Zebedee Springs are at the end of a short trail, while for El Questro Gorge, you have to climb up a gorge with some not-so-easy sections, but nothing a healthy person can&#8217;t handle! Both places are absolutely fantastic.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, I didn&#8217;t get to spend any more time in this part of the park, but there are several activities to do, even on your own, and places to explore. If you&#8217;re interested, have a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elquestro.com.au\/explore\/activities-and-experiences\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/el_questro_gorge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>El Questro Gorge.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 7<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>El Questro Station -&gt; Emma Gorge -&gt; Kununurra<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the last day along the Gibb River Road. Leave El Questro Station and return to the Gibb River Road. After a few kilometers, turn toward Emma Gorge. At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/gtKue9EtMS72\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the roughly 2 km trail begins, leading to a beautiful waterfall where you can swim.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Emma Gorge, continue to the end of the Gibb River Road, which joins the Great Northern Highway at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SSf6iD2sm832\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are giant signs showing the road conditions, and the customary photo at the end of this beautiful adventure is a must!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you get to the small town of Kununurra, you could make a short detour north to &#8220;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/FbzJM9EqwdN2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Grotto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,&#8221; a really nice natural amphitheater where, after 140 steps down to the bottom, you can swim. If you continue further north, in the small town of Wyndham, there&#8217;s a beautiful viewpoint, &#8220;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Ue359DQww4F2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Five Rivers lookout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for Kununurra, you could go to the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/favSkddbbt62\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ngamoowalem Conservation Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (which I haven&#8217;t personally visited, though), continue your trip toward Katherine in the Northern Territory, or maybe spend a few days relaxing on the shores of Lake Argyle, in particular at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/q4XqYp4ZwRz\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lake Argyle Caravan Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which has a beautiful infinity pool!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/emma_gorge.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Emma Gorge.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"great-northern-highway\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>The Great Northern Highway<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This part of the guide is for those who can&#8217;t (don&#8217;t have a 4&#215;4) or don&#8217;t want to drive the Gibb River Road, or who are simply heading back to Broome after driving the Gibb River Road.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I&#8217;ll say up front that I haven&#8217;t driven this stretch of road, since once I finished the Gibb River, I continued north, but after a bit of research, here&#8217;s what you might consider.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make your way to Halls Creek, where you could visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MCKCoYH12DT2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">China Wall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a rock formation located just outside of town, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kwNsrRK4cTo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sawpit Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a desert oasis nearby. From what I&#8217;ve read, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/HsjgZ15UtPL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wolf Creek Crater<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (which would take a day&#8217;s drive there and back) can also be visited without a 4&#215;4, but I recommend checking with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/f9WfJEygPSs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visitor center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for confirmation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Halls Creek, continuing north in a regular car, you don&#8217;t have many options other than going straight to Kununurra, which I talk about at the end of the Gibb River Road section. If instead you&#8217;re driving a 4&#215;4 or are willing to join an organized tour, take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au\/park\/purnululu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Purnululu National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Parco_nazionale_Purnululu.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Purnululu National Park.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"south\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>South Australia<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Australia is one of the least visited regions in Australia, but that doesn&#8217;t make it any less interesting than the other states. As part of a road trip across the country, it&#8217;s definitely worth a visit.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The state basically has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and not-too-harsh winters: in short, pretty much any month of the year is fine for visiting, except for winter, from June to August, especially if you plan to spend a few days at the beach.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cosa_fare_vedere_south_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"550\" height=\"632\" \/>\r\n<div id=\"adelaide\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Adelaide<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, with its 1.5 million inhabitants, is significantly less chaotic than Sydney and Melbourne. Additionally, unlike the other capital cities, Adelaide was never a convict settlement, but rather a so-called planned city, that is, a city designed on paper.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Adelaide<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I only spent a couple of days in Adelaide, but honestly, I think one day is enough to visit the city&#8217;s main attractions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I&#8217;d start the day by visiting the historic district of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/FecB2Xi3ZWQ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glenelg<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It&#8217;s on the waterfront, about ten kilometers from downtown, and especially during the summer months it&#8217;s extremely pleasant, with numerous bars and restaurants and, of course, a beach that&#8217;s not bad at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the afternoon, visit the city center starting at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Y4La26BZTZ32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Victoria Square<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and perhaps visit the nearby <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/rSoAMytqJj42\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central Market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then, continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/w5KWMguYUHM2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rundle Mall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a pedestrian street (the first in Australia) with numerous stores, boutiques, and some iconic sculptures. Walk further north and visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/zSADo1LL7NU2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adelaide Botanical Gardens<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/adelaide.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>A side street off Rundle Mall.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How do you get around Adelaide?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city center is extremely compact, and you can easily get around on foot, while for public transportation, you need to buy a <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adelaidemetro.com.au\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MetroCard<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (you can also buy one on board the buses).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Adelaide?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/click\/camref:1100l3LP6\/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hostelworld.com%2Fhosteldetails.php%2FSunny-s-Adelaide-Backpackers-Hostel%2FAdelaide%2F11310%3FdateFrom%3D2019-02-26%26dateTo%3D2019-02-27%26number_of_guests%3D1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunny&#8217;s Adelaide Backpacker Hostel<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the hostel is definitely showing its age, but it&#8217;s really cheap, the breakfast pancakes are delicious, it offers free parking, and the two men who run it are extremely friendly and helpful. If you&#8217;re looking for a hotel, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/grand-chancellor-adelaide.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chancellor on Currie<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> looks like a great option.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"kangaroo-island\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Kangaroo Island<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, I didn&#8217;t have the pleasure of visiting what seems to be a simply fantastic island, because during my road trip from Melbourne to Darwin, I found myself around here in mid-June with not exactly summery temperatures and, on top of that, a bad weather forecast, so we reluctantly decided to move on, and the same goes for the Yorke Peninsula.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In any case, I&#8217;ve gathered some information that I&#8217;m sure will come in handy if you want to visit them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s start by saying that the island can be reached in two ways: by plane and by ferry. Flights are operated by <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.qantas.com\/it\/en\/flight-deals.html?&amp;alt_cam=it:re:omd:ps:gg:QANTAS+%7C+IT+%7C+EN+%7C+PPC+%7C+BRAND+%7C+QANTAS+%7C+BMM:n:n:IT%C2%A6EN%C2%A6Bra%C2%A6BMM:%2Bqantas&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAy-_iBRAaEiwAYhSlA2xra-3tQextH1lGG8u-M6QNuOuKIp4vaP1R2F8QWv7yNOBs9N4O-hoCGiUQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qantas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with departures from Melbourne and Adelaide, while <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sealink.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sealink<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/kic.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kangaroo Island Connect<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> operate ferries. The former allows you to bring your own vehicle on board, while the latter is passengers only, but the company lets you rent a car directly from them when you arrive on the island. Both companies depart from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9YWLfdjB4Gt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cape Jervis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the mainland, and bus connections are possible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get around the island, having a car is highly recommended, as public transportation is practically nonexistent. Starting from Penneshaw, a possible three-day itinerary could be as follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1NeKqo2GK7H2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emu Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, then follow the coast along the North Coast Road until you reach <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/UH44nRWEzeL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stokes Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From here, continue to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JUWRV1YotmT2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lighthouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is within the national park. There are a number of trails here, including the &#8220;Cliff Top Hike,&#8221; which seems to be really scenic. You could spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/yYqbHHbpzAy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harveys Return<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> campground or further south at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/gRbQkGt23gL2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">West Bay Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which seems more inviting. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Admirals_arch_kangaroo_island_south_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Admirals Arch.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to get to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oGs3DWbwz222\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Platypus Water Holes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> early in the morning so you have a chance to see platypuses. Then continue to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BqqEATDFtMP2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Admirals Arch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an iconic rock formation where seals can often be seen. Between May and October, you can often spot whales in the distance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numerous trails also start from here, or else get in the car and drive to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/TWjDrY3zcqt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remarkable Rocks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These giant granite boulders have truly fascinating shapes and colors. Finally, visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/YSmd8i5osZw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before stopping at what&#8217;s considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KMJY2z4SWm82\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vivonne Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and spend the night at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GqgDA4fD8dy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vivonne Bay Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit Cape Gantheaume National Park. The park offers many trails, but you could simply drive along <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9cGZnU8BPWJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D&#8217;Estrees Bay Road<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and stop when you feel the need. Climb to the top of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/33hRpJon5f42\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Thisby<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a great view of the entire island before returning to Penneshaw and catching the ferry.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<div id=\"york-peninsula\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Yorke Peninsula<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As I said earlier, because of the wrong season and the bad weather, I didn&#8217;t have the pleasure of exploring the peninsula. If I were you, I&#8217;d check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.parks.sa.gov.au\/find-a-park\/Browse_by_region\/Yorke_Peninsula\/innes-national-park\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Innes National Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some of the main spots are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/aitHUHJp6k22\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ethel Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/148HTLXzcKU2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dolphin Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4HDUQTyist32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cape Spencer Lighthouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, the Yorke Peninsula has a lot more to offer, and I suggest you check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/yorkepeninsula.com.au\/visitor-guide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ll find more than a few ideas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Cape_Spencer_lighthouse.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Cape Spencer lighthouse.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"wine-regions-sa\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>The Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, and Barossa Valley, all located around Adelaide, are the three main wine regions in South Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personally, I only visited a couple of wineries in the Clare Valley, but there are really lots of options. For what it&#8217;s worth, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/TgSj65AtzTy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paulett Wines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn&#8217;t bad at all, both in terms of wine and location: they have a really nice terrace.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/clare_valley.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>A fabulous sunset in the Clare Valley.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"flinders-ranges\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Flinders Ranges National Park<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This national park is slightly off the main tourist routes since, continuing north, many people take the Stuart Highway toward Uluru, but if you&#8217;re willing to make a &#8220;small&#8221; 170 km detour, I personally think it&#8217;s worth it. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.environment.sa.gov.au\/files\/sharedassets\/parks\/parks\/flinders-ranges-outback\/ikara-flinders-ranges-national-park\/ikara-flinders-ranges-national-park-map.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you&#8217;ll find a detailed map of the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I spent my stay at Wilpena Campground, which I believe is the only one inside the park to offer running water and hot showers, but there are plenty of others if you like.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inside the park, there are numerous trails of all difficulty levels, for which I suggest you take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.parks.sa.gov.au\/find-a-park\/Browse_by_region\/flinders-ranges-outback\/ikara-flinders-ranges-national-park#see-and-do\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or head straight to the visitor center once you arrive), but I strongly recommend driving the Bunyeroo Valley Scenic Drive. Although unpaved, the road is in good condition, and it should be possible to drive it even without a 4&#215;4 vehicle; the scenery is fantastic.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/razorback-lookout-flinders-ranges.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Razorback lookout.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"gammon-ranges\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This national park is definitely off the beaten path, and even though I loved it, I&#8217;d advise against visiting it unless you have quite a lot of time available. First of all, to reach it from Flinders Range, you need a 4&#215;4: the road isn&#8217;t in great condition, especially the stretch that connects the park first to Maree and then to William Creek, before joining the Stuart Highway again in the direction of Uluru.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For me, even just driving literally in the middle of nowhere and visiting &#8220;villages&#8221; scattered across the Australian Outback like William Creek (population 10!) was a surreal experience, but the fact remains that this &#8220;little detour&#8221; from the classic itinerary takes up quite a few days.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it still sounds like something you&#8217;re interested in, from Flinders Range I suggest you head for the small village of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/5CKQBtsvMfv\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arkaroola<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here there&#8217;s a sort of visitor center run, among others, by an extremely kind gentleman, and you&#8217;ll find accommodation to suit all tastes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are numerous walking trails and 4&#215;4 tracks, and all kinds of tours are offered, including scenic flights over the area! For all the relevant information, I suggest you check out the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.arkaroola.com.au\/index.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">official website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/arkarola.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Arkaroola in the distance.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"coober-pedy\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Coober Pedy<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This small town, which describes itself as the world&#8217;s opal capital, owes its existence to the very opals mined in this area.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located in the middle of the Outback, it is, in fact, hundreds of kilometers from civilization, with a decidedly hostile climate where summer daytime temperatures can easily exceed 40\u00b0C, and that&#8217;s precisely why, in the early years of the &#8220;opal fever,&#8221; numerous buildings were constructed entirely underground to escape the heat.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As interesting as it is, in my opinion, this small town isn&#8217;t worth more than a day: there are a couple of museums and opal exhibitions where the town&#8217;s history is told, and numerous stores selling jewelry set with opals, and the opals themselves. What fascinated me the most was sleeping underground; several places offer it, and I slept at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/au\/radeka-downunder-underground-motel.en.html?aid=1692200&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Radeka Downunder Motel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: it&#8217;s the cheapest option, and honestly, it wasn&#8217;t bad at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/coober_pedy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The hostel dug into the rock.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"tas\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<div id=\"tasmania\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Tasmania<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Tasmania, the country&#8217;s only island state, the &#8220;What to do and see&#8221; section on Australia comes to an end. Unfortunately, this is the only region of the country that I haven&#8217;t had the chance to visit firsthand: an extremely wild island and, by many accounts, an extraordinary place for nature and trekking lovers. Over 45% of its territory is covered by national parks, and it&#8217;s by far the most mountainous state in Australia, but the beaches are spectacular too!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The classic road trip seems to be fairly standard and to last at least a week; for more information, I suggest you check out these two resources: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.australia.com\/en\/trips-and-itineraries\/hobart-and-surrounds\/circle-tasmania.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one-week itinerary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nztraveltips.com\/2-week-tasmania-itinerary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">two-week itinerary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Wineglass_Bay_e_Promise_Bay.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Wineglass Bay, Tasmania.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"iti\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Recommended itineraries in Australia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;ve made it this far in the guide, you&#8217;re probably wondering: &#8220;But how much time do you need to visit all these places?!&#8221; To complete what&#8217;s often called &#8220;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/expeditionaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Highway-1-Map-route-and-distance-around-australia.jpg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Big Lap<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,&#8221; that is, a complete overland loop of the country, which is basically what I&#8217;ve just described section by section, it takes anywhere from a minimum of 3-4 months up to a year, although I think 5-6 months is a good compromise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I fully realize that very few people have this amount of time and money available, not least because Australia certainly isn&#8217;t famous for being a cheap destination; that&#8217;s why below I&#8217;ve put together a few itineraries that can be completed in a shorter amount of time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with any place, there&#8217;s no perfect itinerary for a given amount of time, and that&#8217;s especially true here in Australia, where the options are endless and a lot depends on the season, so take what follows as inspiration and modify or create the itinerary according to your interests\/budget!<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Two\/three-week itinerary in Australia: East Coast<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two weeks are enough to see the main attractions along the East Coast following the itinerary described below, but it would definitely be advisable to complete the itinerary in three weeks, perhaps adding a few more stops, such as Brisbane and Magnetic Island.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatively, if you have a couple of days left over, you could visit Uluru or Melbourne with domestic flights. Generally, the best time to travel the East Coast is from April to November.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/itinerario_east_coast_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"348\" height=\"533\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Sydney (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1-2:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the dedicated section of the guide, you&#8217;ll find a suggested two-day itinerary.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Byron Bay (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You spend almost the whole day in the car\/bus.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoy Byron Bay, and don&#8217;t miss the iconic lighthouse walk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Noosa (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 5:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transfer from Byron Bay to Noosa in the morning. Afternoon at the beach.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 6:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit Noosa National Park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>K\u2019gari (Fraser Island) (3 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 7-8-9:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re traveling by bus, have a look at the various tours (some offer transportation from Noosa); if instead you&#8217;re driving a regular car, you&#8217;re better off driving to Rainbow Beach; and if you plan to take your own 4&#215;4 onto the island, check out my tips on how to do it in the dedicated section.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever you choose, on the third day, when you get back from the island, I recommend spending the night at Rainbow Beach and going to watch the sunset at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/cX72MfpCewr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Airlie Beach &#8211; Whitsundays Island (4 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 10:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long day by car\/bus from Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 11-12-13:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three-day, two-night tour of the Whitsundays. On the third day, upon returning from the tour, I recommend spending the night at Airlie Beach.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Cairns (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 14:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airlie Beach &#8211; Cairns transfer. Explore Cairns in the afternoon\/evening.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 15:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Snorkeling\/diving at the coral reef.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Daintree Forest (1 night)\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 16-17:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore the coast from Cairns to Cape Tribulation by traversing the ancient Daintree Forest.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, if you follow the itinerary just described to the letter and have three weeks available, you&#8217;d have a couple of days left over to use however you like; if instead you only have exactly two weeks, I suggest you drop the Daintree Forest and join shorter tours to K\u2019gari (Fraser Island)\/the Whitsundays.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Three-week itinerary in Australia: from Melbourne to Darwin (Outback)<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To complete this itinerary, it&#8217;s practically impossible to rely on public transportation, and it&#8217;s preferable (but not necessary) to be in a 4&#215;4 to visit the many national parks as best you can.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, the best time to complete this itinerary is April to November.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/itinerario_viaggio_outback_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"632\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Melbourne (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore downtown Melbourne.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit Phillip Island.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Great Ocean Road (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive along the Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Adelaide (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive the last stretch of the Great Ocean Road before heading to Adelaide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 5:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore Adelaide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Coober Pedy (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 6:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long day of driving from Adelaide to Coober Pedy. In the evening, if you have time left over, briefly explore the town, or do it the following morning.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Ayers Rock (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 7:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is another long day&#8217;s drive from Coober Pedy to Yulara.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 8:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit Uluru and Kata Tjuta as described in the guide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Kings Canyon (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 9:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yulara &#8211; Kings Canyon Resort transfer in the morning. King&#8217;s Canyon Walk in the afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, if you&#8217;re driving a 4&#215;4, I recommend you continue north along the dirt road (you need to buy a permit to travel this road; you can buy it at the resort) in the direction of West MacDonnell National Park, where you can spend a couple of nights; otherwise, turn around and take the Stuart Highway toward Alice Springs (as described below).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Alice Springs (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 10:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transfer from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs. If you feel like it, briefly explore the town in the late afternoon\/evening.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Tennant Creek (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 11:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive to Tennant Creek (and further north if you feel like it), stopping along the way to see the Devils Marbles.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Mataranka (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 12-13:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive from Tennant Creek, or wherever you got to, to Mataranka. I recommend spending the afternoon\/evening at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/F3S316PDSG22\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most popular section of the park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and moving to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Lchzqt5TgtF2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bitter Springs Campground<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the next day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Nitmiluk (Katherine) National Park (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 14:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the morning, take a kayak and explore <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/RUBrxqqvVHJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Katherine Gorge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; it has to be booked in advance, see the guide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 15:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Move to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sfiruA1pBPT2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edith Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and complete the circuit as described in the guide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Litchfield National Park (1-2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 16-17:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re driving a 4&#215;4, it&#8217;s worth spending two nights inside the park, while otherwise I think one night is enough; see the guide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Kakadu National Park (2-3 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 18-19-20:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here too, the itinerary changes depending on the vehicle; see the guide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Darwin (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 21:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit the Sunset Market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By cutting out a few days here and there and perhaps one of the national parks to the north, it&#8217;s probably possible to complete the itinerary in less than three weeks. If instead you have more time available, consider other destinations, such as Kangaroo Island, Grampians National Park, and Flinders Ranges National Park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Two\/three-week itinerary in Australia: West Coast<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though this itinerary doesn&#8217;t include any of the most famous destinations, like Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, or the two best-known cities (Melbourne and Sydney), it&#8217;s personally my favorite.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The &#8220;classic&#8221; itinerary from Perth to Broome can be completed in two weeks (as explained below), but if you have the chance, I strongly recommend adding an extra week and also completing the Gibb River Road (with a 4&#215;4); if you have even more time available, consider a mini road trip in the southwestern part of the coast: Margaret River, Albany, and Esperance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the classic itinerary along the coast from Perth to Broome, the best times to get good weather both in the south and in the north are September-October and April-May (March to July is whale shark season in Exmouth), but the middle months of winter (June-August) are also more than fine, even if it&#8217;s not exactly warm in the south. If instead you plan to visit the area south of Perth (Margaret River, Albany, and Esperance), the summer months (November-March) are the best time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.b. It&#8217;s definitely worth getting the Western Australia pass, which you can find on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.dbca.wa.gov.au\/collections\/park-passes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Along the West Coast, long-distance public transportation is virtually nonexistent.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/itinerario_west_coast_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"695\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Perth (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit the city.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to Rottnest Island.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Nambung National Park (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leave Perth and visit Nambung National Park. Keep driving north toward first <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9ivHaNJ9wxx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hutt Lagoon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and then Kalbarri. Drive as far as you feel like, but stop before the sun goes down.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Kalbarri National Park (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you get close enough to the park the day before, it&#8217;s definitely possible to visit all the main attractions in a single day and spend the night on the way to Shark Bay.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Shark Bay (2-4 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 5-6:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here it depends a lot on what kind of vehicle you&#8217;re driving: if you&#8217;re driving a 4&#215;4, add two nights, one for Steep Point and another for Francois Peron National Park; otherwise, two nights are enough.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Exmouth, Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef (3 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 7:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traveling from Shark Bay to Exmouth takes practically the whole day. If it&#8217;s the right season, arrange the tour to see the whale sharks the next day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 8-9:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possible whale shark tour; otherwise, enjoy the national park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Karijini National Park (3 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 10:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You spend practically the whole day driving to Karijini National Park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 11-12:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Eighty Mile Beach (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 13:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reach Eighty Mile Beach and spend the night here.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Broome (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 14:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reach Broome and enjoy the sunset over Cable Beach.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"how\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to get around Australia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I strongly believe the best way to explore this beautiful country is overland. That said, there are numerous options to consider.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for public transportation (buses, trains, etc.), although it&#8217;s extremely efficient within the big cities and main metropolitan areas, when it comes to completing, for example, one of the itineraries I&#8217;ve just described, the only one that can be done relying on public transportation alone is the East Coast one, where three companies offer &#8220;hop on hop off passes&#8221; at fairly cheap prices, worth considering especially if you&#8217;re traveling solo: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greyhound.com.au\/coach-travel\/travel-passes\/travel-passes-products?category=hop-on-hop-off\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greyhound<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the most popular, has several daily runs and more modern buses, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.premierms.com.au\/PMS\/pages\/tickets\/value-passes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Premier<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the cheapest option, has slightly older buses and in many cases only one daily run, and finally <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straytravel.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stray<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers a service similar to an organized tour, since in addition to transportation, its passes also include activities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For any other kind of trip, you basically either rely on organized tours or get yourself a vehicle.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Camper vans are extremely popular because, besides getting you around, they also give you a place to sleep, with interior space or rooftop tents. There are literally dozens of companies renting out cars, camper vans, and 4&#215;4 vehicles; some operate only in certain regions, others have special conditions that prohibit driving in certain areas of the country, such as K\u2019gari (Fraser Island). Personally, I&#8217;ve never rented a vehicle in Australia, so I can&#8217;t recommend one, but if you&#8217;re looking for a list that I think is pretty comprehensive, have a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wikitravel.org\/en\/Australia#By_car\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under &#8220;Car Rental&#8221; and do the necessary research.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/relitto_freaser_island.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>My travel companion for a good part of my trip.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two other options, which definitely require a good dose of flexibility, though, are the so-called &#8220;rideshares,&#8221; which are very common among travelers in Australia (I myself traveled the West Coast this way): basically, there are sections of sites like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gumtree.com.au\/s-rideshare-travel-partners\/c18332\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gumtree Rideshare<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/1526322764363684\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facebook groups<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where offers of, or requests for, travel companions are posted.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second option, on the other hand, is &#8220;Car\/Campervan Relocation,&#8221; another extremely popular practice in Australia, which consists of moving vehicles from point A to point B within a given time frame. Sometimes, you only have to pay for the fuel, and the rental is completely free; other times, the fuel is also included, or you may have to pay a small amount. In any case, it&#8217;s way cheaper than renting a vehicle. Numerous sites offer this type of service, above all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transfercar.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transfercar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, for long trips (several months), I think it&#8217;s definitely worth considering buying a vehicle to sell once the trip is over; barring any nasty surprises, at the end of the day I think it&#8217;s the cheapest option.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For domestic flights, the main airlines are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qantas.com\/it\/en.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qantas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginaustralia.com\/eu\/en\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virgin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jetstar.com\/au\/en\/home\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jetstar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the low-cost one. There are also some companies, such as <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rex.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rex<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.airnorth.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airnorth<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.skytrans.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SkyTrans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sharpairlines.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SharpAirlines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/ntas.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ntas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, that operate small aircraft between towns in regional areas of the country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"cost\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Backpacking in Australia: costs<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s get one thing straight right away: Australia is an expensive country even by European standards, unless you&#8217;re used to the cost of living in Switzerland or northern Europe.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a hostel bed, expect to pay at least $20, in Sydney and Melbourne even $25, and for a hotel room at least $50. Organized activities aren&#8217;t exactly cheap either, with tours costing, roughly speaking, at least $100 a day. To eat out at a restaurant, expect to pay at least $20-40 depending on the place, although, especially in Chinese neighborhoods or in the so-called &#8220;food courts&#8221; of shopping malls, you can often eat a really hearty rice\/noodle meal for $8-10.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for supermarkets, the cheapest by far is Aldi, followed by Coles and Woolworths.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol and tobacco are another really sore point for anyone who uses them: the taxes on these products are really high, and a beer in a bar can easily cost $10.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Australia, outside the big cities, you can camp practically anywhere, and it&#8217;s absolutely part of Australian culture. Some national parks offer free campgrounds, others great equipped campgrounds for little more than $10 a night, and you can often simply pitch your tent at a rest area, on a deserted beach, or in a caravan park; some of these options offer really high standards, with swimming pools, hot water, and great shared areas to cook or just relax.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On that note, I strongly recommend downloading <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikicamps.com.au\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WikiCamps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; it proved extremely useful during my road trips.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/gibb_river_road.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Happy but exhausted at the end of the Gibb River Road.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In short, regardless of what kind of traveler you are, if you want to explore Australia&#8217;s most beautiful and remote areas, camping is practically a must and, in my opinion, the number one rule for saving money while traveling in Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To wrap up, a careful traveler who <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/planning\/40-tips-for-backpackers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travels on a budget<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can definitely travel around the country on a daily budget of at least $70-80, so about \u20ac50 a day, assuming they travel by bus along the East Coast or share transportation costs with other people in the other regions, obviously not counting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/transport\/find-cheap-flights\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flights<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">To reduce exchange and withdrawal fees, see my <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/best-travel-cards\/\">guide to the best cards for traveling<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"safe\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Backpacking in Australia: safety<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The way I see it, from a crime point of view, Australia is a far safer country than Italy, and the statistics confirm it, so if I were you, I wouldn&#8217;t worry too much.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What I&#8217;d worry about more seriously (I absolutely don&#8217;t want to scare you, just to get you to use common sense) are the environmental factors. As you probably know, Australia is particularly famous for the many extremely dangerous animals that live there. Especially in the north, pay particular attention to the signs: many beaches are infested with saltwater crocodiles and the famous &#8220;box jellyfish,&#8221; and as if that weren&#8217;t enough, although attacks on humans are rare, sharks are present practically everywhere.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, especially if you&#8217;re not an experienced swimmer, be extremely careful of strong ocean currents: some beaches are famous for strong &#8220;Rip Currents,&#8221; that is, currents that pull you out to sea and, if you panic, can be deadly. You can find a video <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=PuAlDTC_gIQ\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On land, the number one dangers are spiders and snakes. I don&#8217;t think it needs to be said, but avoid contact with such creatures. If you find yourself camping inside some national park or far from civilization, it&#8217;s good practice to always keep vehicles and tents closed, so that no unwanted guest ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/emu_viaggio_australia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>One of the animals that like to cross the road.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, it&#8217;s not like snakes and spiders are hiding in the bushes waiting for someone to leave a tent open, but as I said, it&#8217;s good practice to close everything behind you.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for road trips along the West Coast, in the Outback, or in other regions that are less densely populated than the East Coast, where the vast majority of the population lives, it&#8217;s absolutely essential to carry several liters of water with you: often, even at campgrounds inside national parks, drinking water is by no means a given.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also in these less populated regions, avoid driving at night: wild animals are extremely active during the cooler hours, and hitting a kangaroo even at 50 km\/h without a bull bar spells disaster.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To wrap up, although there&#8217;s an agreement between Italy and Australia that provides free healthcare for up to six months (the rules change depending on your nationality, so check yours), this coverage, called &#8220;Medicare,&#8221; only includes basic care that doesn&#8217;t even cover the cost of an ambulance, so it&#8217;s strongly recommended to take out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">separate travel insurance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">P.S. Australians live with the ozone hole over their heads, and for years, skin cancers have been a big problem in this country; use proper protection!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Are you planning a trip to Australia? Check out these posts:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/travel-backpack\/\">Which travel backpack to choose<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/packing-list\/\">What to bring on your trip<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ilbackpacker\/\">Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=QTBBEQQCE37GA\">For donations\/pizzas and virtual beers<\/a> \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Did you like the post? Pin it!<\/h5>\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7557\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_australia.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"330\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_australia.png 330w, https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_australia-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Australia, with its vast unspoiled spaces ranging from beautiful beaches to deserts, by way of the rainforest, the famous &#8220;outback&#8221; and the Great Barrier Reef, is a true paradise for nature lovers, who can see creatures and landscapes found nowhere else in the world here, but also cutting-edge 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